[Dr. Belle Vue Column 96.] The More You Apply, the Better? Then Why Has My Skin Flared Up?

Hello,

Belle Vue Clinic, for everyone's beauty,

Dr. Belle Vue is pleased to greet you again today.

"Doctor, I apply everything that's supposed to be good for my skin, so why does it keep breaking out?" This is one of the unfortunate questions I hear very often in the consultation room. After examining the skin of countless people, one surprising thing I've noticed is that the routines of those who consistently maintain clear, stable skin are actually very simple. Today, remember just three things to reset a skin barrier exhausted by excessive nourishment and over-care.

✨ Minimal home care

✨ Do not touch your skin even when blemishes appear

✔️ 'Sun protection and getting plenty of sleep'

Natural beauty, Belle Vue Clinic

1. The more you apply, the better? Then why has my skin flared up?

1] Limits of transdermal absorption and clogged pores

The stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, acts as a 'barrier' that blocks external substances. If you apply more than five or six cosmetic products excessively, you may exceed the amount your skin can absorb. Ingredients that are not absorbed and remain on the surface can clog pores, causing comedones (acne) or other breakouts.

2] Ingredient conflicts and increased skin irritation

As the number of cosmetic products increases, the total amount of chemical ingredients that come into contact with the skin—such as surfactants, preservatives, and fragrances—also increases significantly. In particular, certain functional ingredients may conflict with one another, making it easier to cause contact dermatitis or barrier damage.

3] Reduced skin self-regulating ability (sebum control function)

The skin has the ability to regulate its own oil-and-moisture balance. If excessive nourishment is continuously supplied, the skin may mistakenly assume that it has enough oil and become less active in its own sebum production and barrier-recovery systems. Eventually, it can become 'dependent skin' that cannot cope without cosmetics.

2. The 'three essential steps' recommended by a dermatologist

The core of the minimal care routine recommended by most dermatologists consists of just three steps: [cleansing - moisturizing - protection]. Very simple, right?

① Mildly acidic cleansing (Cleansing)

Excessive double or triple cleansing can severely damage the skin's natural moisturizing factors (NMF) and lipid barrier. On days when you have not applied heavy makeup, it is best to gently cleanse with just one mildly acidic cleanser with a pH of around 5.5, helping to protect the barrier. Never rub your face with an exfoliating towel. The same applies to excessive peeling or face packs.

② Moisturizing with barrier-like ingredients (Moisturizing)

There is absolutely no need to apply toner, lotion, essence, and cream all together. The key to true moisturization is not the 'number of products' but their 'ingredients.' Properly applying just one moisturizer containing the three major lipid components that make up the skin barrier—ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids (known as the 'ceramide-cholesterol-fatty acid trio')—or hyaluronic acid and panthenol is much more effective than applying several products. Also, do not dry your skin completely after cleansing or showering. It is better to apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp.

③ Sun protection (Protection)

The greatest cause of aging and barrier damage is prolonged exposure to strong ultraviolet (UV) rays. When sunlight is very strong, even a short period of prolonged direct exposure can cause a sunburn. In addition, applying a good essence without blocking UV rays is like pouring water into a bottomless jar. In midsummer, be sure to use sunscreen when commuting or going out, and ideally apply it throughout all four seasons. If you frequently experience breakouts, it is best to choose a non-comedogenic product that is less likely to clog pores.

3. When applying functional ingredients, never do these things!

Ingredients that should not be applied together	Side effects
Retinol (vitamin A) + AHA/BHA (exfoliants)	Excessive exfoliation of the skin, causing burning and redness
Vitamin C + AHA/BHA	Both are acidic ingredients, which may cause strong skin irritation and disrupt pH balance
Retinol + vitamin C	The high-function ingredients may conflict, reducing the skin's natural defenses and causing breakouts

"We are truly living in an age of cosmetics. In fact, that is true of everything. However, cosmetics cannot become a 'restorative tonic' for the skin. They are merely a 'small support' that helps the skin stand on its own. Allowing your precious skin barrier to breathe—that will be the beginning of true skin care."

Rather than becoming impatient to change your skin in a short period of time, Belle Vue will support your simple and well-organized daily routine so that you can maintain your natural radiance healthily for a long time. Thank you.

"Focused on skin diagnostics"

Belle Vue Clinic

The Mark-Vu skin diagnostic examination can identify various skin concerns at once, including skin texture, pigmentation, pores, wrinkles, skin tone, dark circles, radiance, redness, melanin, sebum, and acne bacteria that are difficult to assess with the naked eye.

At Belle Vue, we scientifically analyze your skin based on these findings and make a final diagnosis of the necessary treatments when appropriate. Through detailed consultations, we will do our best to provide the treatment most effective for each patient.

💎Belle Vue Clinic💎

• Use of genuine products in proper quantities

• Skilled medical staff with many years of treatment experience

• Open for appointments on Sundays and public holidays

• Personalized treatments after Mark-Vu skin analysis

#GangnamStationDermatology #BelleVueClinic #GangnamBotox #GangnamDermatology #GangnamStationFillerSpecialists #OurGoalIsTheBestDermatologyClinicInGangnam #WeLoveOurPatients #AClinicThatBringsHappinessEveryDay #ThankYou #BelleVueClinic #FunctionalCosmetics #CosmeticsDiet #HowToImproveYourSkin #HowToHaveBeautifulSkin #MinimalismSavesYourSkin

🌸Botox, fillers, thread lifting, lifting treatments, obesity care

🌸Scars, pores, various types of pigmentation, acne, hair removal

🌸Facial contouring injections, CoreSculpt, NobleShape

HPL, V-Olet injections

🌸Diet medication prescriptions after an InBody assessment

🌸Hair-loss medication and Viagra prescriptions

📱Treatment inquiries and reservations

02-533-1200

<Treatment Information & Directions>