What are some methods for treating skin problems?

In fact, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing skin issues. The key principle is always to identify the underlying causes of the problem first, and then to tailor your skincare routine accordingly, distinguishing between internal and external factors. The worst thing to do is to blindly follow trends and use a bunch of products with claimed benefits, or copy someone else’s skincare routine without understanding the specifics of your own skin type and needs.

Not long ago, I helped a recently graduated girl with her skin issues. She kept getting red, swollen pimples along her jawline, so she followed the popular online routine of using salicylic acid and applying medical masks daily for three months. However, this only caused small rashes all over her face; even gentle wind felt painful to her skin. After a dermatoscopy, it turned out that her problem wasn’t just normal acne caused by excess oil production, but rather hormonal imbalances and an imbalance in the skin’s microbial flora due to chronic lack of sleep. The high concentration of salicylic acid had completely damaged her already thin skin barrier. Eventually, she stopped using all topical treatments and only applied mild moisturizers. She also took some hormone-regulating medications prescribed by her doctor. In less than a month, the rashes had mostly disappeared.

You might notice that when many people encounter problems like acne, spots, or redness, their first reaction is to look for skincare products with specific therapeutic effects. In fact, this approach is often completely off track. If your problems are of an internal origin—such as persistent acne caused by polycystic ovaries, a sallow and tired complexion from staying up late for extended periods, or widespread breakouts due to anxiety—then no matter how expensive the anti-acne or whitening treatments you use, they will at best only provide temporary relief. The issues will inevitably recur over time. In such cases, it is necessary to work with a doctor to adjust your lifestyle, including your diet and sleep habits, in order to address the root causes of these problems.

If the problems are sunspots caused by excessive sun exposure, clogged pores resulting from the wrong types of acne treatments, or redness due to over-cleaning, then these are indeed the main areas where skincare interventions should focus. However, it’s important not to try too quick to see results. Just like a previous regular customer with sensitive skin who wanted to reduce the dark spots on her face, she started by using a 10% nicotinamide serum. Within three days, her face became swollen as if it had been stung by bees. Later, she properly used restorative products for three months to strengthen her skin’s barrier before gradually increasing the concentration of her retinol serum to 2%. She also made sure to apply strong sunscreen every day when going out. After about half a year, the dark spots had faded by nearly 70%, and she no longer experienced any redness.

There are currently several misconceptions about health and wellness practices that generate a lot of debate online. In reality, there is no absolute right or wrong when it comes to these matters; it all depends on individual circumstances. For example, with the claim that “cutting out sugar helps eliminate acne,” some people give up drinking bubble tea and eating cakes for a month and notice a significant reduction in their sebum production and a noticeable decrease in the number of pimples they get. As a result, they start claiming that cutting out sugar is a miracle solution for acne. On the other hand, some people avoid even eating too much rice for two months, but they still get pimples anyway, and then they accuse others of paying a “tax on intelligence” for suggesting such things. In reality, the first group of people were already consuming a large amount of sugar—about two to three cups of bubble tea per day—and reducing their intake of added sugars would naturally help reduce excessive sebum production. As for the second group, their acne is likely caused by hormonal issues or imbalances in their gut flora, and it has nothing to do with sugar at all; therefore, cutting out sugar would be ineffective in this case. There’s no need to punish yourself just to avoid getting pimples. Some people still argue whether applying face masks nourishes the skin or causes skin problems. During acute redness and sensitive periods, applying a simple, medical-grade soothing mask can indeed quickly hydrate the skin and reduce redness much faster than applying cream. However, if you use face masks every day, it may over-hydrate the skin, weakening the skin barrier and decreasing its resistance to external irritants, which can indeed lead to skin issues.

To put it simply, taking care of your skin is a bit like nurturing a potted plant. Just because you see someone else watering their rose plants every three days, doesn’t mean you should do the same with your succulents. You need to first understand what type of skin you have and what the specific issues are, and then gradually adjust your skincare routine accordingly. This is far more effective than blindly buying a bunch of expensive skincare products just because everyone else is doing it.