November 19, 2020
Impure skin - causes & tips for proper care
by Leonie Poppe
Sugar escapades, alcohol, stress, genes or, as is often the case, our hormones. There are so many possible causes of impure skin. What these are in the end, whether individually or in combination, is very individual. In order to get rid of impurities, spots and oily skin permanently, it is definitely worth finding your personal triggers and avoiding them as best as possible. Of course, this can sometimes take some time and patience. Until then, however, I can give you 6 tips on how to care for your skin to counteract the development of further impurities from the outside and to help your skin to find balance and glow with health.
That’s why this article is about:
- What are the causes of impure skin?
- Nutrition: Which foods cause pimples?
- Everyday tips for impure skin
- Facial cleansing
- Your care for impure skin – in 6 steps
1. What are the causes of impure skin?
Yes, there are many factors that affect the clarity of your skin. Stress, hormones, genetics and the wrong diet all play a decisive role. Sometimes it's a bit of everything.
In the winter months, cold air and heating play a major role, while in the summer months, sunlight and heat play a major role. For menstruating people, the cycle also plays a role, as does diet for everyone. At festivities that are celebrated with wonderful treats and drinks, the unwanted effects of the feast appear on the skin a few days later.
The causes of blemishes are varied and unfortunately often not easy to determine. To start with, you can ask yourself the question: Are my blemishes permanent or occur in phases?
Possible causes of permanent blemishes:
Pre-existing illness
Some illnesses affect the skin. This can range from the flu to more serious illnesses. If you suspect a connection, it is best to consult a doctor. Avoid irritating products if possible and pay particular attention to the ingredients. You should avoid surfactants and aggressive active ingredients.
Taking medication
If it is not the illness itself, it could also be a medication. Take a look at the list of side effects, you may already find what you are looking for there. Here too, it is best to see a doctor to find an alternative medication. Avoid irritating products if possible and pay particular attention to the ingredients. You should avoid surfactants and aggressive active ingredients.
Hormonal contraceptives
I know it's a whiny subject, but unfortunately the pill, hormonal coils, etc. also play a significant role here. The drugs taken not only affect the reproductive organs, but also the sensitive hormonal processes of the body. And since everything in the body, really everything, is interrelated and interacts with one another, the skin can suffer. What helps? Talk to your gynecologist, try a different drug, or even a different (perhaps non-hormonal) method of contraception. Our BHA peeling and retinal serum are ideal for helping to bring your skin back into balance and eliminate impurities.
Old
There are of course age groups in which impure skin is a more widespread phenomenon than in others. As a teenager, hormones swirl through the body and accompany us for several years on the way from childhood to young adult. In most cases, this causes more or less impurities, and in some cases even severe acne. Menopause brings with it similar symptoms. When the female reproductive organs gradually stop working, the body also goes through a phase of adjustment, which can also be noticeable on the skin. Of course, it is difficult to bring such natural processes of the body under control. But in this case, we can do everything we can to support and balance our skin in its natural functions as best as possible. So make particular use of sebum-regulating products such as the Niacinamide Serum , the Zinc Facial Toner or BHA Peeling . This way you can remove excess sebum and counteract overproduction.
Environment
The environment we find ourselves in also has an impact on our skin. In some urban areas in particular, the air quality leaves a lot to be desired. It's not just the respiratory tract and lungs that suffer. Air particles collect on the skin and can easily irritate it and cause blemishes. A strong skin barrier and sufficient antioxidants are particularly important. A balanced, healthy diet and the right care products will help you prepare your skin for city life. Pomegranate seeds, for example, are a veritable antioxidant bomb. And our Vitamin C Serum Intensive , which fights off the many free radicals, together with rosehip seed oil , which has a regenerating and strengthening effect, protects your skin from the inside and out.
Care routine
If your skincare routine doesn't suit your skin type and condition, it can throw your skin out of balance. Also, don't believe all product promises. There are plenty of cosmetic products that promise a lot, but when you look at the INCI list, your hair stands on end. I advise you to invest some time in detailed research into critical ingredients in order to be able to immediately discover the really big red flags such as microplastics, silicones and parabens. Apps like Codecheck are a wonderful tool for finding out what is behind the strange ingredients. This way you can at least distinguish the good products from the bad ones.
When it comes to finding the right care for your individual skin, I can recommend our skin advisor . By asking specific questions, you can find out in about 5 minutes what skin type and condition you have and which products would be suitable for you. If you have any questions, you can also contact our customer service for more detailed advice.
Nutrition
Not only what we allow to touch our body from the outside, but also what we take in from the inside determines the appearance of our skin. Since nutrition plays a special role, I will dedicate a completely separate section to this topic below. But first:
Possible causes for periodic blemishes:
stress
Project deadlines, exam dates, full schedules, social obligations, emotional stress... all stress factors that we have to deal with in everyday life. I would like to slap the face with a verbal slap in the face when I hear tips like: "Don't expose yourself to stress in the first place". The reality is different. As soon as you interact with other people, whether professionally or privately, potential sources of stress are inevitable. So unless we want to live far away from any human contact, we have to be able to deal with this stress. And that's the key word: dealing with it. Of course, in some cases we have control over whether we burden ourselves with stress... for example, if we procrastinate until the last second and our deadlines get into trouble. For everything else, let's learn to deal with it in a healthy way. Breathe deeply, stay structured, think rationally. This is how we help ourselves to get the symptoms of stress under control from the inside. From the outside, it helps to use particularly anti-inflammatory, sebum-regulating and calming products. Our BHA peeling cleanses the skin overnight, aloe vera spray soothes and moisturizes it, which is also great for the hair. The niacinamide serum strengthens the skin barrier and supports the skin in its natural functions, especially when stress makes it difficult. Finally, use one of the hyaluronic creams (see below) for additional moisture and rich protection.
Have you ever considered whether your periodic blemishes are related to your cycle? There are many women who complain that shortly before their period they have more blemishes on their face, but also on their shoulders, arms and décolleté. If you are not quite sure, I recommend that you track your period and also your skin condition. If you notice any changes, write them down in your calendar. If your blemishes are related to your cycle, you will quickly find out. Of course, with hormonal blemishes it is a little difficult to do anything about it from the inside. However, you can still support your skin with targeted care products. Retinal serum regulates sebum production, has an anti-inflammatory effect and ensures a balanced complexion. The BHA peeling frees your skin of excess sebum and dead skin cells. The niacinamide serum strengthens the skin barrier and supports the skin in its natural processes. If you would like to know more about hormones and the connection with the skin, I recommend this podcast with hormone coach Kati Siemens .
If you are pregnant and are struggling with blemishes due to your wild hormones, I have prepared a slightly different product recommendation for you, because you should not use retinal during pregnancy and breastfeeding. During pregnancy, however, you can use the niacinamide serum to strengthen your skin, apply our aloe vera gel for sufficient moisture and of course sun protection to prevent blemishes from occurring in the first place. After pregnancy, while breastfeeding, you can then use the BHA peeling to remove excess sebum and dead skin overnight.
Environment
If you have ever travelled to other climates, you may have already experienced changes in your skin. City trips can also present new challenges to the skin if the air is more polluted than where you usually stay. It is important to adapt your routine to your environment. If you are travelling to tropical climates, avoid rich creams and instead use serums such as hyaluronic acid concentrate to keep your skin's moisture balance stable. You can use cleansing oil, for example, to gently cleanse your skin in the evening to remove sunscreen and sweat. If you prefer a holiday in the north, use richer creams and oils to protect your skin from wind and weather. In cold temperatures, it is best to avoid water-based products for your day care routine altogether. Rich oils form a protective layer over the skin, which helps it retain heat better. So to sum up: lots of warmth, Mediterranean, tropical conditions = moisturiser. Wind, rain, slightly colder temperatures = rich moisture. Winter vacation = water-free products, instead oils and richer creams.
Nutrition
Now we come to the big topic: nutrition. And because it is such a big influencing factor, I am writing a separate section just for it:
2. Nutrition: Which foods cause pimples?
As we now know, our intestines are one of the largest excretory organs we have. If we burden them with heavy food, excessive amounts of sugar, dairy products and alcohol, they have no choice but to turn to their partner - the skin. This then takes over the excretion of toxins. Pimple alert!
Contrary to the obvious assumption that fatty foods in particular cause oily and blemished skin, dairy products and sugar are usually the culprits. In general, foods that increase the glycemic index, i.e. our insulin levels, also increase sebum production in the skin by activating androgenic hormones.
This brings us back to the topic of men and their skin and why they often struggle with blemishes.
Nutrition is one of the factors that we can influence. A vegan diet could improve a lot. However, I believe that not everyone is the same and nutrition is therefore a very individual matter. In principle, however, there are studies on the subject that also prove that a diet high in dairy products and sugar promotes pimples and blackheads in most of us. But if you're like me, then unfortunately you can't manage to be sensible 24/7 and sometimes you just feel like going overboard. And we can certainly allow ourselves that sometimes!
“IF THE CHEESE IS ALREADY A BIT”
Just like JUNGLÜCK, I also come from Munich and grew up in a Bavarian environment. Here we have the saying “Da is der Kas scho bissn”! In standard German, “The cheese has already been bitten”. In other words, what do I do with my skin when it is already too late? When I have already stuffed my stomach with raclette and chocolate fondue in the sugar, casein and lactose paradise and I can see the effects on my face?
On the one hand, you can of course decide to eat a healthier and more balanced diet in the near future, entirely in accordance with your body's needs. But to combat existing impurities, as always, cleansing and proper care are the be-all and end-all. In our podcast episode with Kati Siemens , hormone coach and integrated nutritionist, she explains the exact connection between our skin and our diet.
3. Everyday tips for impure skin
- Change bed linen or pillowcase regularly and wash at 60 degrees
- Change towels regularly and use one specifically for your face
- Keep your hands off your face! Bacteria and pathogens can easily penetrate
- Gain knowledge about ingredients that harm your skin!
4. Your care for impure skin – in 6 steps
In addition to the products mentioned above that you can use for specific causes, we have also developed a general routine for impure skin. However, you can easily include or swap in the products that we recommend for your specific cause.
Step 01 Cleaning: Cleansing oil
Start here with the cleansing oil . And yes, oil on oily skin works better than it sounds! Apply it to dry skin and massage it in gently. The cleansing oil combines with the dirt, sebum, make-up and other fat-soluble deposits without attacking the skin's protective acid mantle. Then remove the oil either with a warm, damp washcloth or wash your face gently with water. The mixture of water and oil creates an emulsion that cleanses thoroughly, does not dry out and still does not leave a greasy film.
You can then spray on the zinc facial toner - then the cleansing is complete. The facial toner also clears the pores, cares for inflamed areas, has an antimicrobial effect and regulates sebum production.
Step 02 BHA Peeling
I also recommend applying the BHA peeling 2-3 times a week after cleansing in the evening. Feel free to test it on a small area beforehand and see how your skin reacts. In general, your skin should tolerate the fruit acid peeling well. Because it removes dead skin cells from the top layer of skin and penetrates your pores, cleansing them of excess sebum, the BHA peeling is a great preparation for the retinal cream.
In addition, the fruit acids contained, such as salicylic acid, counteract pimples and therefore provide impure skin with plenty of moisture and have an impressive antibacterial effect. To do this, spread the liquid evenly over your face and gently pat it in. Done. No need to wash it off!
But NOTE : You should only use BHA and AHA peelings at different times from Naicinamide. Peeling in the evening and Niacinamide serum or zinc facial toner in the morning is perfectly fine. Or you can alternate the products in the evening.
Step 03 Serum: Vitamin C Serum
By cleansing, your skin is now optimally prepared for all important nutrients and special treatments. For example, vitamin C! You can easily apply our vitamin C serums using the pipette. Put a few drops on your forehead, nose, chin and cheeks, massage in and allow to absorb. The potent antioxidant protects your skin from environmental influences throughout the day and gives you a lovely freshness. Also ideal under make-up.
Step 04 Hyaluron Concentrate
Our favorite, the hyaluronic acid concentrate , can be applied thinly in the next step and allowed to absorb briefly. Impure skin needs a lot of moisture to be vital. Well-moisturized skin can regenerate faster and acne scars are avoided. The concentrate is perfect here because it is light, absorbs quickly and does not burden the skin with unnecessary ingredients.
Step 05 Cream: Retinal Cream
Our retinal cream is also a must-have for impure skin and should only be applied in the evening. You can find a whole article about the Skinhero here. In short: retinal regulates sebum production, collagen formation and has an antioxidant effect. The best combination of effects for impure skin. I always apply the cream after cleansing in the evening and let it work overnight. Then the retinal has time to develop and thus supports the skin's own regeneration, literally while you sleep.
Step 06 Sun protection
UV protection is an important component in proper skin care. And that applies to every skin type. But it is especially important to ensure that you have the necessary sun protection for blemished skin that is prone to acne scars. This prevents dark spots that could remain and slows down skin aging. The active ingredients used in steps 02 and 05 also require a day cream with a sun protection factor. You can apply our sun cream or sun fluid for this. The mineral filters in the sun cream protect your skin throughout the day, while the light texture of the day cream provides additional moisture.
It may seem like a long routine at first, but not every product is designed for day and night and the individual steps don't take long and if you do them consciously, you're giving yourself me-time, attention and love at the same time. What could be better than starting the new year with good habits and with a fresh and healthy complexion that puts a smile on your face.
Here you can go directly to our products and browse at your leisure.
Take care!