How to treat 5 of the most common skincare concerns

There might be just a month to go before Christmas and plenty of parties in the diary for the coming weeks, but it might be time to look into finding a good dermatologist. New research has revealed that two thirds of us are collectively spending a whooping ￡369 million every month on short-term solutions to solve our skin concerns, from disguising acne breakouts to camouflaging cold sores.

Bupa Health Clinics surveyed 4,000 people and found that on average, women spend ￡11.64 a month, while men spend around ￡9.71 covering up their skin concerns. In London, this is increased to ￡16.62 each month.

As we head into December, it’s likely that these figures will increase as more of us reach for make-up to conceal our skincare woes. Over 34 million Brits battle with common skin conditions, including eczema, dry skin and acne throughout their lifetime, yet 89 per cent don’t seek expert advice.

7 things your skin could be telling you

“We often see patients coming into our clinics after months and sometimes even years of covering up or trying to treat skin conditions themselves; because we’re so used to putting moisturiser and creams on our skin it’s a natural reaction to think that using a different cream will resolve it,” says consultant dermatologist Dr. Walayat Hussain. “Spending money on cover up and over-counter creams really adds up. We can diagnose and manage most skin conditions easily, saving the patient money and discomfort in the long-term.”

While almost half of those surveyed said that the cost of seeking expert help was the main reason they looked for short-term fixes, 11 per cent admitted it was due to embarrassment. “People shouldn’t feel that skin concerns are too trivial to take to a GP or a dermatologist; people need to look after their biggest organ – skin," says Dr Hussain. Here are our tips for treating the five most common skincare concerns... 

How to hydrate dry skin

For those currently battling with dry skincare issues, Dr Hussain recommends seeking out expert opinion first and foremost as well as moisturising your skin twice a day. "This doesn’t mean spending a load of money; more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better, so go for something that works for your skin," says Dr Hussain.

Dry skin can often be more sensitive and it's important to avoid formulas that contain high amounts of alcohol, which can be drying, and fragrance, which can irritate. Instead, look for products that contain emollients and skin strengthening powers, such as ceramides and lipids. Elizabeth Arden's Advanced Ceramide Capsules, ￡29.95, are great for replenishing, and Dermalogica is also a good brand to explore. In particular, it's Barrier Repair, ￡40, which not only rehydrates, but helps to repair your skin barrier and keep the moisture locked in.   

How to disguise cold sores

Cold sores are much more common than people think, yet they can seriously impact your confidence levels. Everything from excessive exposure to sunlight (which is why many of us suffer with them on holiday) to stress and tiredness can cause one to crop up.

Unfortunately, once a cold sore develops there is little you can do, except minimise the spread with Compeed Cold Sore Patches, ￡6.19. The best approach, especially if you have suffered with cold sores in the past, is to prevent them from arising at all. Lipivir, ￡6.74, helps prevent our bodies from producing the HSV1 particles, which result in cold sores and it looks and acts just like your regular lip balm. It's not the only brand either, next year Be for Beauty plans to launch Base with tinted lip formulas.   

How to hide spots

But it can take a while to get your skin in check, so if you are going to conceal any spots or redness, there are good ways to do it. It all starts with the prep. "It's important to treat a spot before disguising it in order to reduce redness and speed up the healing process," says the make-up artist Justine Jenkins. "I recommend using Neal’s Yard Tea Tree Organic Essential Oil, ￡7.20. The natural antibacterial and gentle cleansing properties help to unblock pores - add a few drops of the oil onto a cotton bud and apply to affected area. Leave it a few minutes before applying make up so the oil can absorb. If you have a particularly stubborn break-out, apply to clean skin overnight and repeat until the spot has gone."

Finding the right cover up concealer to match your skin tone and foundation is important - if the colour is wrong then you will just draw attention to the blemish. Choose a shade that seamlessly blends into skin and works with your foundation, such as Delilah's Farewell Cream Concealing Stick, ￡24, and Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer, ￡24.

"Pick up a small amount of product onto a brush," says Justine. "Wipe off any excess and start to dab the brush directly over the spot or blemish. Once you've covered your spot you'll want to set the concealer in place and this is easily achieved with a mattifying powder. Avoid any product with added pearl or sheen otherwise you will draw attention to the area. The BareMinerals Ready Touch Up Veil, ￡22, or Urban Decay De Slick Mattifying Powder, ￡18, are both good options.

How to soothe eczema

Much like dry skin, it's important to avoid products that contain alcohol, essential oils and any ingredients that will aggravate or strip your skin. La Roche Posay's Cicaplast Baume B5 SPF 50 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm, ￡7.50, is a beauty editor's favourite for its simplicity. A blend of vitamin B5 and glycerin keeps the skin hydrated and soothed. 

It is worth seeking out a good antioxidant too as this will replenish and protect your skin. Paula's Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Serum, ￡33, has more of an oily texture, which is more soothing than other formulas. However, there are several different types of eczema and it is always best to consult your GP or a dermatologist when it comes to treating severe cases or introducing new products into your routine.

How to treat verrucas

Almost all of us have suffered with a verruca at some point. Often picked up in changing rooms or swimming pools, the patch of white skin with black dots can be painful if they occur on certain areas of your foot. Again, prevention is always better than cure and wearing socks or flip flops in communal areas is always recommended. 

When it comes to treating verrucas, salicylic acid is the best ingredient as this exfoliates the skin and is anti-bacterial. You do need to soak your foot before applying it for the best results though. Unfortunately though this does take time and patience.