Guide to Spotting + Treating Common Skin Troubles

A Friendly, In-Depth Guide to Spotting + Treating Common Skin Troubles

Our skin holds onto little stories, dryness from the weather, breakouts from stress, patches that flare when life gets busy, or dark spots left behind by past inflammation. When you learn to recognize each pattern, you can choose gentle, nourishing, toxin-free ways to care for your skin without the overwhelm.

Let’s go deeper into what these conditions look like, what’s happening underneath, and how to support your skin naturally and safely.

 

1. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

How to Spot It

Eczema can show up differently on everyone, but common signs include:

• Rough, dry, cracked patches that sometimes weep or crust

• Redness and irritation that comes in cycles

• Itching that can be intense, especially at night

• Flare-ups around the elbows, hands, neck, eyelids, and behind the knees

• Skin that feels thin or sensitive to the touch

What’s Happening Beneath the Surface

Eczema is often linked to:

• A weakened or “leaky” skin barrier

• Inflammation triggered by irritants, stress, or allergens

• Sensitivity to harsh soaps, detergents, or artificial fragrance

• Climate changes, especially dry winter air
  

What May Help

• Rich, barrier-supporting moisturizers like tallow cream help lock in hydration.

• Cleansing with tallow and goat milk soaps to calm redness and balances the skin’s pH.
  

• Keep your environment humidified (especially in winter) to prevent cracking.

• Avoid scented products, chemical-heavy detergents, and long hot showers.

• Wear soft, breathable fabrics to reduce irritation.

• Addressing gut health.

 

2. Keratosis Pilaris (KP / “Chicken Skin”)

How to Spot It

KP is one of the most common skin conditions:

• Tiny, rough bumps that can feel like sandpaper

• Redness around hair follicles

• Most common on the arms, thighs, cheeks, and buttocks

• Skin can feel dry or tight

What’s Happening Beneath the Surface

Keratin, a natural protein, builds up inside the hair follicle and creates little “caps.” KP is linked to:

• Dry skin

• Seasonal changes (winter is usually worse)

• Genetics

• Sensitive skin types

What May Help

• Goat milk soap cleansing gently breaks down keratin plugs over time.

• Moisturize with tallow body butters right after showering to seal in hydration.

• Use castor oil on stubborn patches for softening and smoothing.

• Gentle exfoliation with a soft washcloth can help, but avoid scrubs, which irritate KP.

• Stay away from artificial fragrance or drying alcohols that worsen bumps.

• Gentle dry brushing.

 

3. Hormonal Acne

How to Spot It

Hormonal acne has a very “predictable” pattern:

• Deep, painful cyst-like bumps

• Breakouts centered around the jawline, chin, and neck

• Flare-ups often synced with menstrual cycles

• Skin may look oily but still feel dehydrated or irritated

What’s Happening Beneath the Surface

Hormones influence the skin’s oil glands, leading to:

• Increased sebum production

• Clogged pores

• Deep inflammation

• Slower healing times

Triggers include stress, diet changes, sleep disturbances, and imbalanced skincare routines.

What May Help

• Oil cleanse with jojoba or castor oil to keep pores clear without stripping.

• Apply castor oil as a spot treatment to reduce inflammation and swelling.

• Try a serum with cajeput oil to target inflammation.

• Simplify your skincare, too many active ingredients overwhelm the skin.

• Keep products artificial fragrance free to avoid irritation.

• Support your body internally with Zinc + omega-3 rich foods.

• Address gut health to steady blood sugar, and balance minerals.

• Avoid sugars, dairy, and gluten.
• Stay hydrated.

 

4. Hyperpigmentation

How to Spot It

Hyperpigmentation can appear as:

• Dark spots left behind by old acne

• Sunspots or age spots

• Patches of melasma on the cheeks or forehead

• Darkened areas around the mouth

• Uneven tone that becomes more noticeable in the sun

What’s Happening Beneath the Surface

Pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) produce excess melanin due to:

• UV exposure

• Hormonal shifts (pregnancy, birth control)

• Inflammation from acne, eczema, or injury

• Harsh products that irritate the skin

• Heat exposure (even without sun)

What May Help

• Vitamin C serum.

• Apply rosehip oil for nourishing, even-toning support.

• Try niacinamide for calming inflammation and brightening.

• Use a mineral SPF daily to stop spots from darkening.

• Avoid picking or scrubbing the skin, which worsens pigmentation.

 

5. Fungal Acne (Malassezia Folliculitis)

How to Spot It

Fungal acne is sneaky because it looks similar to regular acne:

• Tiny, uniform bumps that appear in clusters

• Often itchy (a big clue!)

• Found on the forehead, chest, back, and sometimes shoulders

• Doesn’t respond to regular acne treatments

What’s Happening Beneath the Surface

This condition comes from an overgrowth of yeast (malassezia) that lives naturally on the skin. Overgrowth occurs when:

• The environment is warm, humid, or sweaty

• Heavy oils or creams feed the yeast

• Sweat sits on the skin too long

• Tight clothing traps moisture

What May Help

• Wear breathable fabrics.

• Switch to oils like jojoba, tea tree, neem (yeast can’t feed on it)

• Cleanse the skin with charcoal soap

• Avoid coconut oil and olive oil.

• Keep skin clean and dry after workouts.

• Use honey masks to balance the microbiome.

• Choose lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizers and avoid heavy occlusives on affected areas.

• Wash pillowcases and workout clothing frequently to limit yeast buildup.

 

6. Psoriasis

How to Spot It

Psoriasis has a very distinct look:

• Thick, raised plaques with silvery-white scales

• Bright red or pink inflammation beneath the scaling

• Patches that are tender or itchy

• Commonly found on elbows, knees, lower back, scalp, and sometimes nails

• Nails may have pitting or ridges

What’s Happening Beneath the Surface

Psoriasis is an autoimmune-driven condition where:

• Skin cells turn over much faster than normal

• Layers of skin stack up, creating plaques

• Triggers include stress, certain medications, cold weather, infections, and skin injuries

What May Help

• Tallow body butter to deeply soften plaques and reduce scaling.

• Goat milk soap provides gentle lactic acid for mild exfoliation.

• Warm compresses help loosen thick scales without damaging skin.

• Controlled sun exposure can calm inflammation.

• Keep your routine simple, as fragrance and chemical irritants often trigger flare-ups.

• Address your gut health, cutting out sugars and inflammatory foods.

 

7. Fine Lines

What it appears as

• Soft, shallow creases around the eyes (“crow’s feet”), forehead, or mouth

• Slight crinkling when you smile or squint

• Texture changes that show up after sun exposure or dehydration

• Lines that are more noticeable in dry seasons or after wearing makeup

These early lines are usually connected to dryness, expression habits, sun exposure, and the natural aging process.

What’s Happening Beneath the Surface

Fine lines begin forming when the skin’s building blocks collagen, elastin, and hydration start to shift. Common contributors include:

• UV exposure, which breaks down collagen more quickly

• Dehydration, leaving the skin less plump

• Loss of natural oils, often from harsh cleansers or over-exfoliating

• Repetitive facial expressions (totally normal and human!)

• Environmental stressors, like pollution and dry air

• Exhaustion whether from lack of sleep, stress, overworking, or hormonal shifts reduces collagen production and slows down skin repair

• Aging, which naturally slows cell turnover

What May Help

You can soften fine lines beautifully with the right gentle, natural habits:

• Deep nourishment with tallow face cream
  Tallow mimics our skin’s natural oils, helping it stay hydrated, supple, and resilient.

• Practice facial massage
  Helps boost circulation, reduce tension, and improve absorption of natural skincare.

• Focus on sun protection
  A mineral, chemical-free SPF helps prevent new lines from forming.

• Stay artificial fragrance free
  Fragrance is a hidden aging accelerant for sensitive skin because it increases inflammation and dryness.

• Hydrate internally
  Electrolytes, healthy fats, and steady hydration help keep skin plump from the inside out.

• Sleep and stress support
  Skin repairs itself at night even minor improvements in sleep or stress can soften visible lines.

 

For tips on a healthy, customizable skincare routine, check out our routine guide here. 

 

The goal isn’t perfect skin but to understand your skin. When you listen to your body and choose gentle, chemical-free skincare, your skin finally gets the break it needs to heal, strengthen, and glow in its own way.