What Triggers Skin Imbalance in the First Place?
In the last 20 years, there has been a significant surge in the beauty industry, with countless products promising to fix every conceivable skin issue. This multi-billion dollar "appearance industry" puts immense pressure on people to meet unrealistic standards of physical beauty. But how many of these products actually deliver on their promises?
Those who know me understand that I advocate for long-term skin health over quick fixes. I believe in maintaining a healthy lifestyle rather than resorting to crash diets, and I emphasize consistent skincare routines with minimal, effective products over complicated regimens.
Having spent years in the industry, I've seen it all—from exceptional formulas and brilliant chemists to terrible ingredients and supposed miracle ones. Through this journey, I've come to realize that skincare doesn’t have to be as complex as the industry often suggests. Extensive research already identifies which ingredients truly benefit the skin and which may worsen matters.
Recently, my focus has turned to psychodermatology, a field that fascinates me because it challenges the notion of quick fixes. I firmly believe that healthy skin is naturally balanced and should ideally function without constant correction. Attempting to remedy imbalanced skin with topical products can worsen long-term issues. So, what triggers skin imbalance in the first place?
This is where psychodermatology steps in to provide answers.
More and more studies are showing that emotional stress can seriously affect our immune system and manifest as skin problems. Stress can exacerbate allergic reactions and trigger skin conditions. Factors such as fear, anger, isolation, and dietary changes can all worsen skin inflammation.
For example, eczema, a common inflammatory skin issue, is linked to psychological stressors such as:
- Itching
- Sleep disturbance
- Avoidance of touching
- "Allergic object relationship"
- Stress from dietary changes
- Feelings of rejection and aggression
- Sense of underachievement
- Parental distress
- Psychosexual difficulties
Can these problems truly be fixed with some cream or lotion? Psychodermatology prompts us to rethink our approach. It suggests that instead of chasing quick fixes, we should focus on understanding and addressing the root causes of skin problems. Long-term skin health, supported by well-researched formulations, offers a more sustainable approach.
This is just the beginning of a profound topic in psychodermatology, and there is much more to explore. It’s time to rethink our skincare routines and focus on what really matters—healthy, happy skin for the long run :).
