One of the first steps to creating a skincare routine is determining your skin type. While this may sound confusing, it's actually pretty simple! If you already know what your skin type is, you can skip this section and move onto the next step (Yay!). If you're unsure of your skin type, don't fret; there are several ways to figure it out. Your skin type is just that: a category based on your genetics, age, geographic location, and other factors that determines how your skin looks and feels. Your skin type is different from your skin condition, which can include things like acne or rosacea. You could have a skin condition in addition to your particular skin type, but these conditions aren't always there. Your skin type is always there. The best way is to check with a dermatologist or your local Esthetician, who will perform an in-depth analysis of your skin and assess what kind of care it needs. You can also determine your skin type yourself—by looking at how your complexion reacts to a range of different products. For example, if you notice that certain products cause drying or irritation (or no effects at all), then that’s a good indication of what you should be looking for in skincare moving forward (i.e., dryness = hydrating products). There are five basic categories of skin types: normal, oily, dry, combination, and sensitive. It's possible that you might have more than one category of these skin types in different parts of your face (like an oily T-zone) but for the most part, there's one category that best describes what kind of dryness or oiliness your face has.
We'll walk you through a few simple steps to help determine which category fits you best:
Normal skin has small pores and is not overly oily or dry.
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Normal skin has small pores and is not overly oily or dry. It looks and feels healthy, smooth, firm, and even.
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In normal skin, the sebaceous (oil) glands are active but not overactive. They produce adequate amounts of natural oils to keep the skin soft, smooth, supple, hydrated (moisture-rich), and protected. The surface cells under the top layer of the epidermis are tightly packed together like tiles on a roof. They form a barrier that keeps moisture in and environmental pollutants out.
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Normal skin has an even tone with few blemishes or blotches.
Oily skin is often shiny and prone to blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.
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People with oily skin often have large pores as well, which can become clogged with dirt and oil that can lead to blackheads and whiteheads.
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Oily skin also makes people more prone to pimples and acne because dead skin cells mix with the oil and clog the pores. That's why it's important for people with oily skin to cleanse their face regularly.
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Experts generally agree that your diet doesn't affect how much oil your body produces, though it might make you break out if you're eating too many greasy foods.
Treatments for oily skin include:
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cleansing the face regularly.
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moisturizing regularly to keep the glands from producing too much oil,
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exfoliating,
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using a mask,
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changing pillowcases frequently
Combination skin means you have different kinds of skin on your face — for example, oily T-zone and dry cheeks.
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Most people have combination skin, which means you have different kinds of skin on your face — for example, oily T-zone and dry cheeks.
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You may have oily skin around your nose, forehead and chin, with dry skin on your cheeks and around your eyes.
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Your skin type can change with age, as you get older you may produce less oil and your skin may become drier.
Dry skin is flaky, scaly or rough. It might be itchy or irritated because of its dryness.
Dry skin is flaky, scaly or rough. It might be itchy or irritated because of its dryness. Dry skin is common in older people, who may have a natural tendency to lose moisture more easily. Dry skin can also be caused by washing too often or using harsh soaps that remove the natural oils from your skin. You're more likely to get dry if you live in a cold, dry climate with low humidity levels.
Sensitive skin needs special care because it reacts adversely to some products that aren't a problem for other skin types.
If you have sensitive skin, taking care of it is not as straightforward as simply using products that work well for you. You need special care because your skin will react negatively to some ingredients and products that may be okay for other skin types. It’s important to always use gentle products and avoid those with fragrances. Every day, use sunscreen, moisturizers and gentle cleansers in order to keep your skin hydrated and prevent irritation.
Knowing your skin type will help you take better care of your skin.
Considering your skin type is an important part of choosing the right skincare products. Knowing your skin type will also help you to avoid triggers that make your skin problems worse.
Skin type is genetic. You are born with it, and you may notice that all the women in your family have similar personal experiences with their skin. Skin can also change as you age or because of environmental factors such as stress or the weather. For example, you may have dry skin now but oily in the summer months when your sebaceous glands are more active. Or, if you have sensitive skin, going through a stressful period might cause a flare-up. Our skin tends to change over time so regularly "checking in" with your skin and adjusting your routine and products accordingly will keep you on the right track in obtaining healthy skin.
With love,
