Acne
Acne affects the great majority of teenagers and a significant share of adults, particularly women with hormonally driven acne linked to the cycle. It results from excess sebum plus inflammation of the hair follicles. Gentle cleansing (aggressive stripping makes sebum production worse), avoiding comedogenic products, and — for moderate to severe cases — a dermatology consultation for topical treatments, antibiotics or isotretinoin in resistant forms, all work. Squeezing spots promotes scarring and infection.
Note that isotretinoin is specialist-prescribed in most countries, with mandatory pregnancy prevention requirements.
Hair and hair loss
Seasonal shedding in autumn and spring is normal and temporary. Heavier, prolonged loss has many possible causes: stress, iron deficiency, thyroid disorders, the postpartum period, or androgenetic alopecia in both men and women. A check-up identifies the cause before spending on treatment — products sold without a diagnosis have very uneven results. Minoxidil and, for men, finasteride are the two treatments with solid evidence behind them.
Ageing skin
Wrinkles are a natural process, accelerated by unprotected sun exposure, smoking and, to a lesser degree, genetics. Daily sun protection remains by far the best-evidenced measure for slowing skin ageing — ahead of almost every anti-ageing cream on the market. Of active ingredients, retinoids have the strongest evidence base, followed by vitamin C; most other claims are modest at best relative to their price.
Where skin cancer rates are highest, sun protection is framed as cancer prevention first and cosmetics second — and the regulatory treatment of sunscreen follows. Any changing, irregular or bleeding mole should be checked promptly wherever you live.
Body image
Appearance-related self-consciousness is extremely widespread at every age, sustained by unrealistic representations in media and on social platforms. It almost never reflects what those around you perceive. When it becomes intrusive, damages self-esteem or affects social life, talking to a psychologist usually helps more than cosmetic solutions alone — and body dysmorphic disorder, which is specifically treatable, is more common than generally assumed.
Before you buy
A medical opinion — GP or dermatologist — rules out a treatable cause and saves money on products with no demonstrated effect. In most public health systems, acne and significant hair loss are treated as medical matters, not purely cosmetic ones.