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
Normal Skin
Normal skin is neither too oily nor too dry. It has balanced sebum production and good blood circulation.
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.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is determined by flaky and rough texture. It can, at times, feel tight and cause irritation.
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.
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
Stay hydrated
Wear sunscreen
Moisturise
Remove your makeup properly before sleeping
Wash/Cleanse face before sleeping
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
Use a gentle cleanser
Exfoliate gently and once in a while
Don't forget your sunscreen – Oil-free one
Maintain separate skincare routines for different zones of the face
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
Moisturize your skin regularly
Don't spend too much time in the shower
Pat your skin gently while drying yourself up
Use a humidifier to retain your skin's natural moisture
Drink lots of water
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
Moisturise with gel and water-based products
Stay hydrated
Wash your face twice a day
Use non-sticky and oil-free sunscreen
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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