Did you know the skin is the body's largest organ? Other than the brain, its the most complex. Your skin is sensitive yet durable and requires special attention and care to maintain its health. Knowing your specific skin type and how it responds to products, treatments and the environment is vital for properly caring for your skin and preventing premature aging. It is true that your skin is unique, but there are five general categories that will help determine which fits yours the most and today is the day to find out!
Normal Skin: Normal skin is well-balanced with sufficient moisture and sebum (oil), has minimum breakouts and pores that are medium in size throughout the t-zone area. As seasons change, so will your skin. Normal skin may become dry in the winter months. Cleanse regularly, use an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and a moisturizer that will assist your skin in maintaining its moisture levels.
Dry skin: Dry skin lacks oil and may be prone to sensitivity. Due to the lack of oil, your skin may be noticeably flaky, have fine lines and wrinkles, pores appearing smaller and skin that is thinner. If your skin feels tight throughout the day, this is a sign you may have dry skin. To apply moisture back into your skin, use a cleansing cream to remove dirt and buildup, a non-abrasive exfoliant to gently remove dead skin cell buildup without further removing the skin's oils and apply a rich moisturizer. Dry skin is generally due to genetics, habits and the environment, however you can combat dry skin by developing and maintaining a good skin care regimen.
Oily Skin: Oily skin tends to be more oily and shiny. It may also appear thick and have larger pores. Because of the excess oil, oily skin tends to have breakouts. The positive side to having oily skin is the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles are less likely. If you don't visibly see oil resting on the t-zone or other areas of your skin, apply a blotting sheet across areas of your face. If the blotting sheet appears fully covered or drenched with oil, this may be a sign you have oily skin. To combat oily skin, use a gel or light cleanser such as a foaming cleanser to remove dirt, and oil. Toning the skin helps to bring balance. Astringents and "sea breeze" are extremely high in alcohol content and aren't recommended. Some toners have alcohol content as high as 15%. Exfoliate the skin to remove the outer layer of build up. This furthers allows products to penetrate deeper into the skin. Use a lightweight, oil free moisturizer. If the oil reappears afterwards, cleanse your skin again and follow the above steps omitting the exfoliant.
Combination Skin: If you notice your skin is both oily in some places and dry in others, you may have combination skin. You'll likely notice oil in the t-zone area and other areas around the outer perimeter tend to be more dry. When caring for combination skin, you can use products that will collectively care for both types of skin or select products that will care for each type individually. Ideally you'd want to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize in the mornings and before bed.
Mature Skin: Due to the natural aging process, mature skin may appear thin, have fine lines and wrinkles, lack elasticity and have increased dryness. If the skin has been exposed to the sun and environment with minimal to no protection, dark spots are likely due to sun exposure.
Many consider acne skin as a skin type, however it is a skin condition which is caused by over activity of the oil glands. Blackheads, whiteheads and "acne bumps" are a common re-occurrence in acneic skin. It may be tempting to "pick" at acne lesions, but this is a fast way to spread bacteria and create even more acne. In extreme cases, a visit to your local dermatologist may be necessary although there are many estheticians who have received specialized training in treating acne and can also help in clearing the skin in conjunction to your adopting good home care practices. Each of the skin types listed above require a tailored skin care regimen. Using skin care products designed for each skin type will help in achieving balance in oil and moisture. If you have sensitive skin, use of products free of fragrance and other harmful ingredients is super vital in reducing a reaction or irritation. Always use sun screen no matter your skin type as sunscreens protect against cancer causing UVA/UVB rays.
In conclusion, learning to care for your skin including drinking water, and practicing healthy eating habits will significantly slow the aging process and keep your skin healthy and youthful looking.
I hope this article has helped you determine what 's your skin type and how to properly care for it. Be sure to subscribe so you'll always have the latest tips and advice!
xoxo
-Reacee