The truth about skin concerns — why dark spots, wrinkles, pores, and dryness occur

Dark spots. Increasing wrinkles. Visible pores. Dry skin — these are concerns that many people experience daily. However, each concern has an entirely different mechanism behind it.

Do you think "moisturizing will solve everything"? Unfortunately, the approach needed varies greatly depending on the type of skin concern. Understanding the cause correctly is the first step toward effective care.

The cause of dark spots — excess melanin production

Dark spots are caused by excess melanin pigment produced within the skin. When exposed to UV rays, melanocytes (pigment cells) in the basal layer of the epidermis become activated and produce large amounts of melanin. While melanin is originally a defense mechanism that protects cellular DNA from UV rays, when it accumulates excessively, it becomes visible as dark spots.

The cause of wrinkles — collagen and elastin loss

Wrinkles occur when collagen and elastin in the dermis decrease and deteriorate. From the late twenties, collagen synthesis gradually declines, and UV-induced activation of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) accelerates degradation.

The cause of visible pores — excess sebum and keratinization disorders

The main causes of visible pores are excessive sebum secretion and thickened keratin. When sebaceous glands secrete excess sebum, pores become stretched. Simultaneously, when "keratinization disorders" occur around the pores causing the stratum corneum to thicken, sebum cannot be discharged easily, making pores even more visible.

The cause of dryness — barrier function decline

Skin dryness is a state where the stratum corneum's "barrier function" has declined. Barrier function is maintained by three elements: intercellular lipids centered on ceramides, natural moisturizing factors (NMF), and the sebum film. When any of these becomes deficient, moisture inside the skin evaporates (increased TEWL), and dryness progresses.

Understanding the cause is the starting point for care

We have seen that each of the four skin concerns has a different cause. Rather than "just moisturizing" or "just brightening," it is important to choose ingredients that match the cause of your specific concern. From the next level onward, we will explain specific care methods for each skin concern in detail.