04/12/2022
Skin Types
Different skin types get affected differently by the ingredients affected in each product so knowing your specific skin type will guide you to choose products specific to your skin type. When it comes to the skin there is no one size fits all product range for everyone. Skin types are determined by how well your skin retains moisture and oil which protects your skin from being affected by weather elements.
The importance of knowing your skin type can affect your skincare routine greatly. Certain products work really well for some skin types but not so for others so identifying your skin type is of paramount importance.
So without further ado let's get to it.
There are 5 main skin types
1. Normal
2. Combination
3. Dry
4. Oily
5. Sensitive
Each skin type has its own set of needs and characteristics, and understanding this will help you make highly informed decisions when it comes to your skincare routines. Your skin type is based on the amount of oil produced, this changes over time and might be influenced by genes, hormones, aging, stress and humidity. As per usual I'll put links at the bottom for further reading.
1. Normal Skin
Normal skin is not too oily or too dry. This type of skin has very good oil balance and blood circulation. No special care is needed for this kind of skin.
This type of skin helps lock in moisture and maintain skin hydration. In essence, this is the best type of skin to have. Despite the fact that normal skin doesn’t have any concerns, it still needs proper skincare to look and feel its best.
Characteristics of Normal Skin
i. Not prone to breakouts
ii. Smooth skin texture
iii. Radiant complexion
iv. No greasy feel
v. Less sensitivity
vi. Less blemishes
vii. Little to no product sensitivity
2. Combination Skin
As the name says, it’s a combination of skin types. Usually, people with this skin type have a mix of oily skin in some areas and dry skin in other areas. Your skin has areas that are normal and areas that are oily (namely your nose, forehead, and chin also known as the T-zone). This is also one of the most common skin types.s.
As the name says, it’s a combination of skin types. Usually people with this skin type have a mix of oily skin in some areas and dry skin in other areas. Your skin has areas that are normal and areas that are oily (namely your nose, forehead and chin also known as the T-zone). This is also one of the most common skin types.
Characteristics
i. Oily T-zone
ii. Dry cheeks
iii. Blackheads
iv. Breakouts on T-zone
Effective cleansing and hydration are very important, so find products that work for you. This type of skin needs more protection from the sun because it is more sensitive to sun damage. So sunscreen is a must-have.
3. Dry Skin
People with dry skin lack the ability to retain moisture and this can leave their skin looking scaly or flaky. Dry or scaly skin can be caused by a repetition of skin irritation due to environmental factors such as harsh winds or sun exposure. This skin has a flaky and rough appearance due to lack of moisture, it tends to lack vitality and produce less oil. It is very vulnerable to weather changes.
Dry skin is associated with a feeling of tightness and non-smooth skin which can be an ashy colour, a lot of itching will be experienced which makes it uncomfortable. Overtime cracks may form in the skin which could worsen and bleed if left unchecked and untreated.
Characteristics
i. Uneven complexion
ii. Ashy or pale skin
iii. May itch
iv. May have cracks
4. Oily Skin
Skincare for this type of skin should include hydrating and gentle products that nourish the skin and assist it to retain moisture by providing a protective moisture barrier.
Characteristics
i. Prone to breakouts
ii. Blemishes
iii. Shiny
This skin still needs to be moisturized even though it produces a lot of oil. If this is your skin type, pay attention to the types of products used so that you do not clog your pores and trigger breakouts. Cleansing with a gentle cleanser is important, do not forget to Moisturize and Protect.
5. Sensitive Skin
People with this skin type are likely to react to a lot of skincare products, irritants, and environmental factors. You might experience redness, itching, and so on. This skin is described as fragile because it is so easily irritated by different factors and because of this, it tends to lose its protective barrier which could lead to allergic reactions and repeated infections.
Characteristics
i. Tight feeling in skin
ii. Could react adversely to certain skincare products
iii. Redness and itching
If you have any of these characteristics, try to identify what triggers them and avoid exposing your skin to those triggers. This type of skin requires more effort to fight the loss of moisture and dryness, it is often described as fragile delicate or irritated.
If you have any of these characteristics, try to identify what triggers them and avoid exposing your skin to those triggers. This type of skin requires more effort to fight the loss of moisture and dryness, it is often described as fragile delicate of irritated.
There are mainly 2 methods
a. Watch and Wait
b. Blotting Sheet
I. The “watch and wait” method
This at-home test allows you to understand your skin type by observing how your skin behaves after cleansing.
- To start, wash your face with a gentle cleanser, then gently pat it dry.
- Wait 30 minutes.
- If your skin appears shiny throughout, you likely have oily skin.
- If it feels tight and is flaky or scaly, you likely have dry skin.
- If the shine is only in your T-zone, you probably have combination skin.
- If your skin feels hydrated and comfortable, but not oily, you likely have normal skin.
II. The blotting sheet method
When pressed to the skin, blotting sheets absorb oil—and you can use them to help you understand what type of skin you have.
- After washing your face with a gentle cleanser, pat it dry and wait for 30 minutes.
- Press blotting sheets to various areas of your face, then hold the sheets up to the light to see the oil markings.
- If the sheets soaked up an abundance of oil from all areas of the face, you have oily skin.
- If they absorb little to no oil, then you probably have dry skin.
- If the sheets show only a small amount of oil from your T-zone, you have combination skin.
- If you only see minimal oil from every area of your face, you most likely have normal skin.
Photo Cred: Pexels and Polina Kovaleva
Links for further reading
https://skinkraft.com/blogs/articles/different-skin-types-how-to-know-your-skin-type
https://int.eucerin.com/about-skin/basic-skin-knowledge/skin-types
https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-tips-advice/what-skin-type-do-i-have
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/whats-your-skin-type
https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/blog/what-is-my-skin-type/ #:~:text=Skin%20Type%201%20%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%9CNormal%E2%80%9D,too%20oily%20or%20too%20dry.
https://www.almirall.com/your-health/your-skin/types-of-skin #:~:text=The%20type%20of%20skin%20is,and%20dry%20skin)%20and%20sensitive.