You’re applying face masks, layering on serums and making time for a daily face massage, so your skin should be its glowiest, healthiest self, right? False. All that extra attention to your skin could be hurting it rather than helping. “With so much information available on the internet and social media, people are experimenting with DIYs, trying and testing skincare tools, loading on layers of products as a part of their elaborate 12 step routine. This is leading to a damaged epidermis and skin barrier and instead, resulting in issues like acne, rashes, redness, dryness and allergies,” says Dr Kiran Sethi of Isya Aesthetics. We spoke to Dr Sethi and Mumbai-based dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad for the most common skincare issues that have been cropping up right now.
Acne
You are not alone if your skin is breaking out a lot more right now. “There have been relatively higher cases of acne flare-ups and treatments off late. The main reason for that has been stress and all those DIY experiments,” says Sharad. When we’re stressed, we produce cortisol, which causes inflammation and oil production, which, in turn, causes breakouts. The side effect of stress include lack of sleep, binge eating and drinking more alcohol, which are all culprits of acne.