Skin disorders are very common, and a nuisance, but they are no less painful and embarrassing for those who suffer from them.

Whether you have a t-zone prone to breakouts, a dry, itchy patches of eczema, there are solutions to lessen the severity of these conditions and even prevent them from happening in the first place.

With the skin being the largest organ on your body, you can’t afford to skimp on skin care.

No matter the quality of your skin, a regular skin regime is essential to prevent premature aging, skin cancer, scarring, and more. While cleaning and moisturizing are key factors to skin care, there are many others that will impact your skin.

Below are a few common skin disorders, tips on how to improve skin care, and things to avoid using on your skin:

Common Skin Disorders

Acne:

• The occurrence of inflamed or infected sebaceous glands in the skin; in particular, a condition characterized by red pimples on the face, prevalent chiefly among teenagers.
• Impacts up to 50 million Americans annually
• 85% of people between 12 and 24 have at least minor acne

Eczema:

• A medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding, sometimes resulting from a reaction to irritation but more typically having no obvious external cause.
• Impacts 28 million Americans
• Most are diagnosed by the age of 5

Psoriasis:

• A skin disease marked by red, itchy, scaly patches.
• Impacts 7.5 million Americans
• Also causes joint inflammation and arthritis

Rosacea:

• A condition in which certain facial blood vessels enlarge, giving the cheeks and nose a flushed appearance.
• Impacts 16 million Americans
• Prevalent in people with fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes

Skin Cancer:

• The abnormal growth of skins cells most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. There are 3 major types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
• Most common type of cancer in the U.S.
• One person dies of melanoma every hour
• 90% of skin aging is due to the sun

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How to Improve:

Use natural skin care products:

• Avoids irritation and is gentler on skin
• Less chemicals on your skin and in pollutants

Look at your water type:

• Soft water- does not remove soap effectively
• Hard water- does not allow washes to easily lather

Drink green tea:

• Has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces collagen breakdown

Watch dairy intake:

• Increases the risk for acne

Avoid poor air quality like smoke and pollutants:

• Reduces dehydration in the skin and slows down aging

Use precaution with sun exposure inside:

• Wear a daily moisturizer with SPF

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Things to avoid:

• Over-washing your face
• 30+ SPF- sunscreen with an SPF less than 30
• Not receiving a full night’s rest
• Sugary foods and drinks which increases breakouts and acne
• Harsh chemicals in products such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS)

The importance of a skin care routine is clear through the information provided above. Not only will it prevent and avoid skin irritations and disorders, having clear skin can help boost your confidence.

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By Hannah Moses a contributing author for Bold Expressions, Inc.

Hannah Moses is a small-town Mississippi girl, exploring her new city in Memphis, TN. She is a digital marketer who graduated from The University of Mississippi, so her hello greeting sounds more like “Hotty Toddy!” She enjoys weekend trips, wine tastings, and concerts in the city.