What it is:
A chronic inflammatory condition involving excess oil, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation.

Common signs:

Blackheads, whiteheads, pustules

Deep, painful cysts

Texture and congestion

Post-breakout marks

Key triggers:
Hormonal shifts, stress, incorrect skincare, occlusive makeup, diet patterns, medications, and genetics.

What helps:

Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids

Barrier repair (ceramides, niacinamide)

Consistent exfoliation

In-clinic: microneedling, chemical peels, LED, targeted facials

What it is:
A lack of water in the skin (not the same as dry skin, which lacks oil).

Common signs:

Tightness

Dullness

Fine lines that look “creased”

Creasing under makeup

Key triggers:
Barrier disruption, harsh cleansers, cold weather, over-exfoliating, caffeine/alcohol.

What helps:

Humectants (hyaluronic acid, glycerin)

Occlusives to prevent water loss

Skin-barrier repairing routines

Hydrating facials, gentle peels, skin boosters

What it is:
Excess pigment in the skin due to inflammation, UV exposure, or hormonal triggers.

Common signs:

Dark spots

Uneven skin tone

Melasma patches

Post-inflammatory marks after acne

Key triggers:
Sun exposure, heat, hormones (pregnancy, contraception), inflammation.

What helps:

Vitamin C, azelaic acid, niacinamide

Retinoids for long-term improvement

Consistent SPF

In-clinic: chemical peels, microneedling, advanced brightening treatments

What it is:
Heightened reactivity of the skin or underlying inflammatory disorders.

Common signs:

Flushing

Burning/stinging after products

Visible capillaries

Easily irritated skin

Key triggers:
Barrier damage, over-exfoliation, weather changes, harsh products, rosacea, genetics.

What helps:

Barrier repair ingredients (ceramides, fatty acids, panthenol)

Anti-inflammatory ingredients (centella, green tea)

Fragrance-free routines

In-clinic: LED therapy, soothing facials, gentle exfoliation if appropriate

What it is:
A natural decline in collagen, elastin, and hydration as we age.

Common signs:

Fine lines

Loss of firmness

Texture changes

Dullness

Key triggers:
UV exposure, lifestyle habits, stress, genetics.

What helps:

Retinoids, peptides, antioxidants

Daily SPF

In-clinic: microneedling, peels, skin boosters, collagen-stimulating treatments

What it is:
Pores can appear larger when filled with oil/debris, or due to collagen decline.

Common signs:

Visible pores

Blackheads

Rough texture

Key triggers:
Excess oil, dead skin buildup, genetics, ageing.

What helps:

Salicylic acid

Retinoids

Clay masks

Extractions, deep cleansing facials, microneedling

What it is:
Irregularities on the surface of the skin.

Common signs:

Bumps

Roughness

Patchiness

Old acne marks

Key triggers:
Congestion, dryness, sun damage, slow cell turnover.

What helps:

Chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs)

Retinoids

Microneedling, targeted peels

Consistent barrier-focused skincare

What it is:
A chronic inflammatory skin condition.

Common signs:

Persistent redness

Flushing

Sensitivity

Visible vessels

Papules (acne-like bumps)

Key triggers:
Heat, alcohol, spicy foods, stress, UV exposure.

What helps:

Anti-inflammatory routines

Avoiding triggers

Azelaic acid

In-clinic: LED, gentle peels, barrier repair treatments

What it is:
A compromised skin barrier that can no longer retain moisture or protect against irritants.

Common signs:

Burning/stinging

Redness

Flaking

Sudden sensitivities

Breakouts despite “good” routines

Key triggers:
Over-exfoliating, strong actives, stress, weather, illness, retinoid misuse.

What helps:

Ceramides, squalane, hydration, omega 3

Removing unnecessary products

Gentle cleansing

Barrier-focused facials

What it is:
Small, white cysts caused by trapped keratin.

Common signs:

Hard white bumps

Common around eyes and cheeks

Key triggers:
Heavy creams, lack of exfoliation, genetics.

What helps:

Gentle exfoliation (AHAs)

Retinoids

Professional extractions

What it is:
Long-term UV damage to the skin.

Common signs:

Pigment patches

Roughness

Fine lines

Loss of elasticity

What helps:

Daily SPF

Antioxidants

Retinoids

Chemical peels, microneedling, targeted resurfacing

What it is:
Dark marks after inflammation, common in medium-to-deep skin tones.

Common signs:

Brown marks after acne or irritation

What helps:

Brightening actives

SPF

Microneedling & peels (with careful skin-type assessment)

What it is:
A chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by a weakened skin barrier and an overactive immune response. It leads to dryness, irritation, and recurring flare-ups.

Common signs:

Rough, dry, or scaly patches

Redness or inflammation

Itching (often severe)

Cracking or flaking

Occasional oozing or crusting during active flare-ups

Thickened skin from long-term scratching

Key triggers:
Fragranced products, hot showers, harsh cleansers, stress, allergens, cold weather, friction, wool fabrics, over-exfoliating, household detergents.

What helps:

Gentle, fragrance-free skincare

Rich moisturisers focusing on barrier repair

Ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, squalane, oat extract, panthenol

Humectants like glycerin or low % urea

Anti-inflammatory ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, centella, aloe, bisabolol

Avoiding unnecessary actives during flares

In-clinic options that may support eczema-prone skin:

LED light therapy (anti-inflammatory)

Hydrating, soothing facials suitable for sensitive skin

Gentle peels only when skin is stable

Barrier-focused treatments (case-by-case)

When to seek medical advice:
If eczema becomes frequent or severe, shows signs of infection, affects sleep, appears on the eyelids, or doesn’t improve with barrier care.

What it is:
A chronic autoimmune skin condition where skin cells multiply too quickly, leading to thick, scaly, inflamed patches. It often runs in families and can flare with stress, illness, or certain medications.

Common signs:

Thick, silvery or white scales

Red, inflamed plaques

Flaking or shedding

Itching or burning

Patches commonly on elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back

Nail pitting or thickening in some cases

Key triggers:
Stress, cold weather, illness, skin injury, certain medications, alcohol, smoking, friction, and infections such as strep throat.

What helps:

Gentle, fragrance-free skincare

Regular moisturising to reduce scaling and dryness

Ingredients that calm inflammation: niacinamide, panthenol, oat extract

Avoiding strong acids or retinoids on affected areas

Scalp-friendly soothing routines if patches occur on the scalp

In-clinic options that may support psoriasis-prone skin:
(When the skin is stable and not cracked or bleeding)

LED light therapy (supports inflammation control)

Hydrating, non-irritating facials

Scalp treatments designed to soothe rather than exfoliate aggressively

When to seek medical advice:
If plaques are painful, widespread, rapidly worsening, infected, affecting nails, or impacting quality of life. Prescription treatments such as topical steroids.

What it is:
A stubborn inflammatory rash that appears around the mouth, nose, and sometimes the eyes. It’s commonly triggered by topical steroids, harsh products, or barrier disruption.

Common signs:

Small red bumps

Burning or stinging

Flaky or dry skin around the mouth

Rash that worsens with heavy moisturisers or steroid creams

Clear zone directly next to the lips, with redness around it

Key triggers:
Topical steroid creams, strong actives (retinoids/AHAs/BHAs), toothpaste with SLS, heavy or occlusive moisturisers, over-cleansing, fragranced products, hormonal fluctuations.

What helps:

Stripping routines right back to gentle basics

Fragrance-free, minimal skincare

Barrier repair ingredients: ceramides, squalane, panthenol

Avoiding exfoliants, retinoids, and occlusive balms until fully settled

Switching to SLS-free toothpaste

In-clinic options that may support recovery:
(Only when active inflammation has calmed and barrier is stable)

LED light therapy

Soothing facials focused on hydration and calming

No peels or strong actives until fully resolved

When to seek medical advice:
If the rash persists, worsens, spreads around the eyes, or was triggered by topical steroids. Medical treatment often includes prescription topical or oral antibiotics, which are very effective.