Ladies, do you have days where your skin doesn’t seem to want to corporate? Are you going through endless foundations and concealers trying to cover up pesky dark spots and acne scars? Tired of trying to figure out types of skin problems that appear on your face? Well enough is enough! The first solution in taming your skin is identifying skin types and understanding your specific skin type.
Easier said than done right? However, identifying your skin type is the most important step in caring for your skin. Take the time to learn about your skin’s specific needs. This will help you to choose the right options that will balance your skin resulting in a healthier, more radiant complexion. Every person’s skin is unique, but there are a few common skin types that may help you to identify where your skin fits in the most. The three main skin types are commonly referred to as Oily, Normal/Combination, and Dry. Here are two easy ways to determine your skin type at home:
Two Ways To Determine Skin Type:
The Bare-Faced Method
Cleanse your face thoroughly with a mild cleanser and gently pat dry. Leave skin bare for 30 minutes, then examine your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead for any shine. After another 30 minutes, evaluate whether your skin feels parched, especially if you smile or make any other facial expressions. If your skin feels tight, your skin is likely to dry. If there is noticeable shine on your nose and forehead, your skin is probably normal/combination. If there is shine on your cheeks in addition to your forehead and nose, you most likely have oily skin.
The Blotting Sheet Method
This method is much faster and often an excellent differentiator in identifying skin types; preferably between oily and dry skin types. Gently pat a blotting paper on the different areas of your face. Hold the sheet up to the light to determine how much oil is visible. If the sheet picked up little to no oil, you most likely have dry skin. If the blotting sheet reveals oil from the forehead and nose areas, your skin is normal/combination. Finally, if the blotting paper is saturated with oil, it is extremely likely that you have oily skin.
While skincare can be intimidating, it’s also an art, a science. The trick to caring for your skin is knowing your skin because understanding means you can find the right products that work for you and combat potential issues without causing more problems. Learn how to identify and care for your skin with the different skin types below.
Skin Types
DRY SKIN
Does your skin feel tight throughout the day? Ever experience flakiness, itchiness, or sensitivity? If you answered yes to any or all of these, then you most likely have dry skin. Certain factors can contribute to dry skin, such as lifestyle and environmental factors, hormonal changes, and climate. Even types of skin problems like eczema can result in dry skin. In caring for dry skin, make sure to seal on moisture by applying a rich moisturizer at least twice a day. Hydro Boost Water Face Gel Moisturizer by Neutrogena is a great one to use. And for those with eczema, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a great one. Try to keep the air in your home warm and moist to help heal. Avoid using harsh soaps or products containing citrus oils or lots of fragrance.
NORMAL/COMBINATION SKIN
People who identify their skin type as normal/combination skin often experience dryness on the cheeks. Making it important to find a moisturizer that is not too heavy but substantial enough to retain moisture where it’s needed. Those who are blessed with normal skin experience fewer breakouts and their skin doesn’t flip out with weather changes. Their t-zone tends to me well-moisturized and a gentle, daily exfoliation routine is important to keep that t-zone and cheek areas balanced. Having normal skin, you experience almost no sensitivity, oiliness, or dryness. Which means your skin can tolerate most ingredients without irritation. However, identifying a combination of the skin can be a bit trickier. Combination skin is most easily defined by an oily T-zone (the strip across the forehead and the line down the nose) and dry or normal skin on the rest of the face. Staying away from alcohol-based products is a must for those with combination skin. It’s all about finding balanced products with this skin type. Isolate problem areas with spot treatments and use toners or balancing cream to even out the skin. For normal or combination skin CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30, or Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion work best.
OILY SKIN TYPE
If there are times where your face feels shiner than a disco ball, chances are, you have oily skin. More than not excess oils can leave pores congested and clogged. Not only do your clogged pores feel like you’re suffocating, but oilier skin is prone to a type of skin problem called PIH(post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Which is just a fancy term for dark spots/acne scars? Practicing daily exfoliation will help in lightening up those annoying dark spots by getting rid of dead skin cells and revealing new healthy ones. The only good thing is that oily skin looks younger and more supple because it has more natural moisture and is less prone to wrinkle. Shine control is a top concern with this skin type and its best to avoid ingredients like mineral oil and alcohol. Be sure not to over-wash your face, as drying out your pores can cause them to produce even more oil to compensate.
ACNE-PRONE SKIN TYPE
If you get frequent breakouts or have pesky blemishes that just never seem to go away, you likely have acne-prone skin. This means that your pores tend to clog easily, making you more susceptible to different types of acne such as whiteheads, blackheads, or pustules than other skin types. Use cleansers specifically formulated to treat acne, as well as exfoliants and moisturizers that will help minimize breakouts. Gently cleanse your face to avoid trauma to existing breakouts, and use topical gel to treat and lighten acne scarring. Look for acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, clay, benzoyl peroxide, or retinol.
SENSITIVE SKIN TYPE
Managing sensitive skin can be challenging, it can take a considerable amount of time and effort to determine which ingredients cause inflammation and irritation. To make this process easier, introduce only one new formula or product at a time. Patch testing a new skincare product on your inner forearm is an excellent way to minimize potential reactions on the face. Look for labels that identify formulas as non-irritating and non-sensitizing and free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, sulfate detergents, or phthalates as these ingredients can result in redness and itchiness.