November 19, 2020
4 tips against sandpaper skin
by Leonie Poppe
You wake up in the morning, the sun is shining in your bedroom, the city smells of summer. You really feel like wearing your favorite summer dress or short T-shirt. But something is stopping you and I know that many of us know this problem - sandpaper skin. It usually manifests itself in small red or white pustules on the upper arms, but also on the legs or bottom. This small supposed "flaw" bothers us especially in the summer, because we would love to show a little more skin. That's why I want to use this article to explain how sandpaper skin develops and, above all, what you can do about it!
But first of all I would like to say: wear the dress! Wear the short-sleeved T-shirt and the skirt of course! Do it! Despite the points. Because it is nothing bad, nothing contagious and certainly nothing that should or can reduce your worth and your well-being. It is a purely aesthetic matter and if we are already accepting ourselves as we are, then maybe that is a good start? Apart from that, for many people the sandpaper skin disappears on its own as they get older. So getting older does have one or two advantages! ;)
But of course I understand you. Sandy skin is annoying and yes, as a sufferer you may sometimes think to yourself "How unfair, why do I have to have this?". At least I know this feeling very well. But with some things one thing in particular helps: acceptance! But also following a few simple tips to take the "sandy skin" off your skin.
That’s why you will find the following points in this article:
- What is sandpaper skin? Keratosis Pilaris – The permanent goose bumps
- How do I recognize sandpaper skin?
- What can I do about sandpaper skin? 4 tips for smooth and soft skin
What is sandpaper skin? Keratosis Pilaris – The permanent goose bumps
In technical terms, sandpaper skin is also called keratosis pilaris or hyperkeratosis pilaris. It mainly occurs in women, but can also affect men.
Keratoses is a technical term for all types of keratinization disorders. So-called hyperkeratosis is, more precisely, a thickening and thus a keratinization disorder of the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. The skin produces too much keratin!
This keratinization primarily affects the hair follicles, which become keratinized from the inside and then clogged. This creates annoying skin nodules or small horn cones. As already mentioned, the affected areas are the extensor sides of the upper arms (outside) and thighs (front), cheeks and also the buttocks.
Keratin plays an important role in our body. As a component of the stratum corneum, it gives our skin stability and is also the basic building block for hair and nails. But as with almost everything, too much is bad for us.
The result is rough, uneven, red patches on the skin that can also become inflamed. The skin barrier is damaged and bacteria can penetrate more easily. Often these patches are hairless and look like goose bumps to the naked eye. Unfortunately, the skin irritation does not disappear with a little heat.
The keratinization disorder often first appears in childhood and adolescence. Over the years, with the right care, it can disappear again, or even on its own. As I have already mentioned, keratosis pilaris is only described as a cosmetic problem and is not considered a dermatological disease! And yet those affected can suffer greatly from it, which is why the topic is very important to me.
How do I recognize sandpaper skin?
Here again a compact summary:
- Very rough, hairless areas
- Small red or white bumps or horn cones on the skin
- Commonly affected areas are the face, upper arms, thighs, buttocks
- Natural skin barrier is compromised, which can cause inflammation
- May occur as a concomitant syndrome in dry skin or allergic diseases
- Deterioration of skin condition in the winter months with low humidity – improvement in the sunny summer months
Example of sandpaper skin
If the affected areas continue to expand or the inflammation does not subside, I definitely advise you to see a dermatologist!
Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure for sandpaper skin. If you have one, please let me know! :)
However, with the right care, you can definitely bring about improvement, balance the skin a little and help yourself to feel more comfortable in your own skin.
What can I do about sandpaper skin? 4 tips for smooth and soft skin
1 First things first – the right cleaning
Use mild surfactants or oils to clean your skin thoroughly but very gently. We recommend our junglück cleansing oil and junglück shower gel . It removes dirt and excess sebum without drying out your skin. Also make sure not to use water that is too hot, as this also means a lot of stress for your skin. You often have the urge to scrub the affected rough areas intensively or scratch them - but be careful, this can cause unsightly scars. This is also the reason why I advise you to stay away from mechanical peelings, as they can also damage your skin further and leave marks. Let's try tip 2 instead.
2 Chemical peels
Salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), frees your skin of dead skin cells and cleanses it from the inside out. Apply the BHA peeling 2-3 times a week in the evening after cleansing. You can apply it like a serum and let it absorb overnight. If your skin feels tight after use, you can then apply your usual skin care product. And don't forget the UV protection!
With our clay mask you can gently remove dead skin cells from your skin. It also regulates sebum production and has an anti-inflammatory effect, which soothes your skin and reduces rough skin. For an extra peeling effect, you can massage the mask in again with moistened hands after the exposure time.
3 Moisture and lipids for noticeably soft skin
To relieve rough skin, it is essential to regularly apply moisturizing lotions, creams or gels. It is important that the formulations are keratinizing, hydrating and moisturizing. Active ingredients such as urea or hyaluronic acid bind a lot of moisture, nourish your skin and make it supple. Aloe vera also has a cooling and anti-inflammatory effect.
I would try to avoid fragrances or dyes, as these can further irritate the rough areas. I definitely recommend that you care for the affected areas daily, if not twice a day. However, it is especially important to do this in the evening so that your skin has enough time to absorb the nutrients overnight.
The following products from our range are therefore well suited:
Face: Hyaluron Concentrate , Aloe Vera Gel
Body: Aloe Vera Gel , Body Lotion
Our retinol cream can also provide valuable support to your skin care thanks to its regenerating effect.
Do you like using oils? Then argan oil or jojoba oil with a high vitamin E content are suitable. They have an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect and thus counteract impurities. This can also be beneficial for rough skin.
My personal tip: I apply the BHA peeling to the affected areas in the evening (after cleansing) and let it absorb well. Then I mix a pump of the aloe vera gel with about 4-5 drops of jojoba oil in my hands. After a few days I felt a significant improvement. But here too, perseverance is key! Because as is so often the case, applying cream once is not enough, rather, rough skin requires regular care. Until it eventually (hopefully) goes away on its own!
4 Nutrition
When you start looking for possible support to combat sandpaper skin, the term healthy diet comes up, as is often the case! As with many skin health issues, it is extremely important to avoid potential allergy triggers, such as gluten. A food intolerance test at the doctor can be very informative. You should not only get many important vitamins and nutrients through your skin, but also through your diet. You should also drink plenty of water and of course avoid stress as much as possible. Eat healthily and be good to your body, because your skin will thank you! If you read my blog post from last week, you will discover some parallels. But that's just how it is when everything is connected in the wonderful, complex body system! :)
And now to the conclusion
Sandy skin is not dangerous, contagious or necessarily painful, but it can have an unpleasant effect on your daily activities and being. There are tips and tricks to reduce it, but the most important thing here is to accept yourself as you are. Try our tips, make sure you take care of your skin regularly and get your quality of life back.
Feel free to share your experiences with me!
Take care.
[Mr]