We all have those days when our skin doesn’t cooperate with us. You know, those days when you wake up with a pimple on your nose or forehead, or your face looks dull and dry. Your skin may even feel itchy and irritated.
Days like these can dampen your mood, especially when you need to look your best. I’m sure we’ve all had days like that. But what are bad skin days, really? What causes them? And most importantly, how can you prevent or deal with them when they happen?
In this article, I will answer these questions and give you some tips and tricks to keep your skin healthy and happy. Let’s dive in!
What are Bad Skin Days
The thing is, “bad skin day” is not a medical term but rather a subjective way of describing how your skin looks and feels on a given day. Depending on your skin type, stress level, and irritant exposure, it can even vary from person to person. I’ll explain.
Have you ever noticed that there are people who always seem to have their skin looking smooth and flawless? Could it be that they don’t have bad skin days? Of course not! Everyone has experienced a bad skin day at one time or the other. We all just have it in different colors and flavors ( you know what I mean).
Bad skin days can be seen as appearance of acne or blocked skin follicles, redness, inflammation, or irritation, allergies, dryness or flakiness, or just general dullness or lack of glow. And that takes me to the next question.
What Causes Bad Skin Days
You see, bad skin days can have different causes, some internal and others external. Here are some examples.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause can affect your oil production, blood circulation, and inflammation levels, resulting in acute skin reactions. So you see why you have a lot of breakouts before your monthly flow.
Diet
I can’t seem to stress this enough, but diet plays a crucial role in skin health. Your diet could either provide or lack certain nutrients and antioxidants needed to keep your skin healthy.
Hydration also plays an important role. Water is your go-to guy if you need that skin looking supple and moisturized. I guarantee!
Environment and Lifestyle
Exposure to UV rays, pollution, dust, wind, or temperature changes can damage or irritate your skin. Similarly, lifestyle practices such as sleep quality, exercise habits, smoking status, or alcohol consumption also affect how your skin looks and feels. Likewise, stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that can increase oil production, inflammation, and sensitivity.
And, of course, the skincare products you use can either help or harm your skin, depending on their ingredients, formulation, and suitability for your skin type and condition.
So, how can you prevent bad skin days or at least minimize their occurrence? Let’s find out!
How to prevent Bad Skin Days
Proper Skincare
The best way to prevent bad skin days is to take proper care of your skin on a regular basis. And by this, I mean following a skincare routine that suits your skin type and condition and using gentle, effective, and safe products for your skin.
Eating a balanced diet
Eating a diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and, of course, water will provide your skin with the nutrients needed to keep it healthy.
Managing your stress levels
You can practice relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, or hobbies. Also, get enough sleep – this allows your skin to repair and regenerate itself.
Healthy Lifestyle
Exercise regularly, even if you don’t like it. This improves your blood circulation, oxygen delivery, and toxin removal. Also, avoid smoking, and if you can, limit your alcohol intake.
These are all effective ways to prevent bad skin days. However, in the event that it does happen – your bad skin days are here, and you don’t know how to manage it. Don’t worry, I have something for you too.
How to Deal with Bad Skin Days
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may still experience bad skin days. And that’s okay.
When this happens, don’t panic or lose hope. There are things you can do to cope with this situation and make it better. Here are a few of them.
– Don’t pick or pop your pimples: Yes, I know you want to burst it open, but just resist the urge to do so. You’ll be happy you did.
– Don’t over-wash or over-scrub your skin: This can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture, and cause more irritation.
– Don’t use harsh or new products: Unless recommended by a physician, avoid using products you’re new to on days like this. Remember, some of these products have their side effects. So if your plan is not to aggravate your skin condition, please keep those products aside for now. Instead, try soothing or calming products like aloe vera, and green tea. These can help reduce redness, itching, and swelling.
– Try makeup or concealer: Trust me, your concealer is your best friend on days like this. And if you have any makeup skills, now is the time to put it to good use. Use concealers to cover up any blemishes but remove it thoroughly at the end of the day.
Before you Go
I must say though that the best way to deal with bad skin days is to own it. It’s your skin, and believe me, it freaks out too. Choose to stay happy, and remember that bad skin days are only temporary, they will pass soon enough.
Although bad skin days are inevitable, they are not insurmountable. And so, by understanding what they are, what causes them, and how to prevent them, you can minimize their occurrence and impact on your skin and your self-esteem.
No one said skincare would be a smooth walk in a park, so on days when the journey seems depressing, know that it isn’t there to stay. It will pass. So chin up, my queens.
And I’ll see you in the next one!
