肌荒れ
Meaning: Skin breakout or rough skin; a condition where the skin becomes irritated, bumpy, dry, or inflamed.
肌荒れ is a constant concern in Japanese beauty culture, where smooth, clear skin is highly prized. It covers a range of skin issues from dryness and redness to breakouts and rough texture. Causes are frequently attributed to stress, diet, lack of sleep, seasonal changes, and hormonal fluctuations. Discussing 肌荒れ is completely normal in everyday conversation, and combating it drives a massive skincare and supplement market.
Examples
- ストレスのせいか最近肌荒れがひどい。 可能是因为压力,最近皮肤粗糙得厉害。Será por el estrés, pero últimamente tengo la piel fatal.스트레스 때문인지 요즘 피부 트러블이 심해.
- 肌荒れにはビタミンCのサプリが効くって聞いた。 听说维生素C补充剂对皮肤粗糙有效。Me han dicho que los suplementos de vitamina C van bien para los problemas de piel.피부 트러블에는 비타민 C 영양제가 효과 있다고 들었어.
- 季節の変わり目って肌荒れしやすいよね。 换季的时候容易皮肤粗糙呢。En los cambios de estación es fácil que la piel se resienta, ¿verdad?환절기에는 피부 트러블이 생기기 쉽지.
Pronunciation
/ha.da.a.ɾe/
Usage Guide
Context: beauty, daily conversation, social media
Tone: concerned, relatable
✓ Do Say
- 肌荒れひどいから今日はメイク薄めにする。 (My skin is breaking out badly so I'm going light on makeup today.)皮肤粗糙得厉害,今天化淡妆算了。Tengo la piel tan mal que hoy voy a maquillarme lo mínimo.피부 트러블이 심해서 오늘은 화장을 연하게 할래. (피부가 많이 올라와서 오늘은 메이크업을 가볍게 할 거야.)
- 肌荒れには睡眠が一番大事だよ。 (For skin troubles, sleep is the most important thing.)皮肤粗糙的话,睡眠是最重要的。Para los problemas de piel, lo más importante es dormir bien.피부 트러블에는 수면이 제일 중요해. (피부 트러블에는 잠이 가장 중요해.)
✗ Don't Say
- 人の肌荒れを指摘する — 本人は十分気にしている (Don't point out someone's skin breakout — they're already well aware of it)不要指出别人的皮肤问题——本人已经很在意了No le señales a alguien que tiene la piel mal — ya es perfectamente consciente de ello.남의 피부 트러블을 지적하지 말 것 — 본인이 충분히 신경 쓰고 있음 (남의 피부 트러블을 지적하지 마세요 — 본인이 이미 잘 알고 있습니다)
Common Mistakes
- Using 肌荒れ only for acne — it covers a broader range of skin issues including dryness, redness, rough texture, and irritation
Origin & History
Compound of 肌 (skin) + 荒れ (roughness, becoming rough; from 荒れる). A long-standing Japanese term that is central to the nation's obsession with clear, smooth skin.
Cultural Context
Era: Long-standing term, always relevant
Generation: All ages, especially beauty-conscious individuals
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Skin quality is arguably the most important beauty metric in Japanese culture, making 肌荒れ a universally understood concern.
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