Skin basics
Why skin feels tight, flushed or tired, how to test a new product, what to do when something reacts, and when it's time to see a doctor.
- Dry vs dehydrated skin: how to tell the differenceDry skin is short of the fats that hold water in. Dehydrated skin is short of water, and oily skin can have it too. How to tell, and what helps each.
- Why does my skin feel tight after washing?Usually your cleanser or hot water is taking too much with it. What's going on in the outer layer, what to change first, and when to get it checked.
- How to patch test skincare at homeWhere to test, how long to wait and what a reaction looks like, including how to test a peel-off jelly mask and what a patch test can't tell you.
- Face red or breaking out after a mask? What to doRinse, stop, keep it simple, and know when it's a job for your GP. What to do about redness, stinging and new spots after a face mask.
- Why does my face flush so easily?Heat, alcohol, spicy food, exercise, sun and some skincare can bring on a flush. Common triggers, what to try at home, and when to see your GP.
- Dark spots on your face: causes, and when to worryMost dark spots come from sun, hormones or old blemishes. Why any new or changing spot needs a doctor in NZ, and what cosmetics can and can't do.
- Does lack of sleep show on your skin?It shows in your face: studies found people look more tired and less healthy after short nights. What the research found, plus a simple wind-down.
- Skincare in pregnancy and breastfeeding: ingredients to ask aboutRetinoids top the list to avoid, and for many others good data is scarce. What reviews and NZ data sheets say, and what to ask your midwife or doctor.
Looking for a mask to match how your skin feels? See jelly masks by skin type.