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Ananya Soni

Skin Types and Care

Did you know that every skin type reacts differently to each ingredient? Commercial products made for the entire population may not really be the best bet for your skin! This is why knowing your unique skin type is extremely essential for your skincare.

It can be especially tricky to figure out your true skin type because it can change over time and can be affected by climate, hormones and diet. Here’s some advice from dermatologists on how to figure out your own skin type, along with skincare tips and cleanser and moisturizer recommendations for each.


There are five basic skin types - normal, oily, dry, combination and sensitive. Let’s take a look at how to determine your skin type.


What is Sebum?


Sebum is an oily and slightly waxy substance found on the skin. It is mostly produced on the face and scalp, but it can also occur on the rest of the skin, except on the palms or soles of the feet. Sebum is used as a way to keep the skin moisturised and act as a waterproofing mechanism, keeping water from leaving your body. It also helps maintain flexibility in the skin and can act as a barrier from harmful matter such as bacterial and fungal infections. Sebum production is controlled by hormones in the body. This means that in periods where hormone levels fluctuate, or when taking medications that affect hormones - sebum production can be impacted.


Different Skin Types

  1. Normal Skin

Normal skin is neither too oily nor too dry. It has balanced sebum production and good blood circulation.

  1. Combination Skin

Combination skin is a mix of oily skin and dry skin. Usually, in combination skin types, the T-zone is oily and the cheeks are dry.

  1. Dry Skin

Dry skin is determined by flaky and rough texture. It can, at times, feel tight and cause irritation.

  1. Oily Skin

Oily skin is usually characterised by a greasy appearance. This skin type is prone to acne breakouts and is the result of excess sebum production.

  1. Sensitive Skin

If your skin flushes with spicy food and adversely reacts to new products, you may have sensitive skin.


Tips to Try

Take a sheet of blotting paper or tissue paper and gently pat it on your face. Hold it against a bright light. If you see little to no oil, you likely have dry skin. If the sheet picks up some oil from the T-zone, you have combination or normal skin. If it picks up oil from all parts of your face, you likely have oily skin.


How to Identify

Normal Skin Type 

  • Smooth Texture

  • Fine Pores

  • No Sensitivity

  • Few or no breakouts

Normal skin makes enough sebum to hydrate the skin, so, in reality, normal skin is oily skin with just enough sebum production to keep skin healthy. 


Steps to take care

  1. Stay hydrated

  2. Wear sunscreen

  3. Moisturise

  4. Remove your makeup properly before sleeping

  5. Wash/Cleanse face before sleeping

  6. Maintain and skin routine


Combination Skin

  • Oily T-Zone and Dry Cheeks

  • Breakouts mainly on Forehead-Chin-Nose

  • Sensitive Cheeks

The skin secretes natural oils to keep itself moisturised, but for people with oily skin, this process can go into overdrive, especially if they have larger pores. If you do feel like your T-zone is oilier than the rest of your face, it's recommended using a product suited for oily skin on just on those areas. You can also alternate cleansers depending on how dry or oily your skin feels during different seasons or times of the month. 

Foaming Cleansers are a life-saver!


Steps to Take Care

  1. Use a gentle cleanser

  2. Exfoliate gently and once in a while

  3. Don't forget your sunscreen – Oil-free one

  4. Maintain separate skincare routines for different zones of the face

  5. Buy oil-free products – Makeup and skincare!


Dry Skin

  • Flaky, rough skin

  • Uneven texture

  • Skin feels tight

The number one sign that you have dry skin is if it appears dull and lifeless. Dry skin looks dull because it’s often covered in a layer of dead skin cells. Light reflects off these rough skin cells in all different directions, whereas if your skin is hydrated, it has a smooth surface that reflects light evenly, and so appears more radiant. Just hydration to the skin will make it look younger, plumper and more radiant. Try avoiding very hot showers and steering clear of products containing detergents or sulphates, which can irritate the skin. When it comes to moisturizing, dry skin can handle a creamier product, rather than a lotion or a gel. Use a cream moisturizer morning and night in addition to sunscreen. 


Step to Take Care

  1. Moisturize your skin regularly

  2. Don't spend too much time in the shower

  3. Pat your skin gently while drying yourself up

  4. Use a humidifier to retain your skin's natural moisture

  5. Drink lots of water

  6. Use sunscreen to prevent your skin from getting dehydrated


Oily Skin

  • Greasy appearance

  • Open/Big pores

  • Prone to breakouts

If you have oily skin, you should avoid using thick creams and moisturizers. However, that doesn’t mean you should skip hydration altogether. Hydrate oily skin with hyaluronic acid, an ingredient found in many moisturizers. Hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain water, without leaving a greasy film on the top layer. The bigger the pore, the more active the oil glands, and the more active the oil glands, the more they’ll secrete. This can translate to an oily film on your face throughout the day, as well as frequent breakouts.


Steps to Take Care

  1. Moisturise with gel and water-based products

  2. Stay hydrated

  3. Wash your face twice a day

  4. Use non-sticky and oil-free sunscreen

  5. Avoid oil-based products


Sensitive Skin

  • Skin feels itchy and tight

  • Becomes oily in Summers

  • Becomes dry in Winters

  • Reacts to skincare

  • Becomes red after a hot bath


Are allergies the same as skin sensitivity?

Allergies are more severe and can sometimes cause difficulty in breathing and nausea. If you are allergic to dust, it doesn’t necessarily mean your skin is sensitive. In skincare, you may be allergic to a particular ingredient but your skin may not be sensitive. It may be able to adapt to other products that don’t contain that ingredient. However, if you have sensitive skin, your skin will most likely react to harsh chemicals and skin products.


People with sensitive skin may have acne, rosacea or contact dermatitis, a type of red, itchy rash. Sensitive skin may also be especially prone to stinging or burning. Sensitive skin isn’t necessarily a permanent skin type, but rather one that can be caused if you over scrub or over-exfoliate, or use overly harsh products. To avoid irritation, people with sensitive skin should avoid friction, excessive heat and triggers like alcohol or stress, if those tend to affect your skin.


Steps to Take Care

  • Conduct a patch test always

  • Don't overdo skin routine, keep it simple and basic

  • Don't blindly believe the “Hypoallergenic" labels

  • Don't use physical exfoliants and scrubs

  • Avoid touching your skin

  • Use a mild cleanser

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