Jan 28 , 2021
What is my skin type?
Know your skin type and How to establish the best Skincare routine according to your skin type?
What determines skin types?
Skin types are affected by several factors such as hormones imbalance, pollutions, genetics, stress, too much sun exposure, bad diet, underlying medical conditions and many other factors. Keeping in mind that all the above factors might affect how your skin will react to Skincare products.
It is safe to start proper Skincare routine at puberty when the sebaceous glands start producing Sebum, leading to clogged pores that contribute to acne formation. The earliest you can start taking care of your skin, the better for your skin as you age. Applying sunscreen is a crucial step to Skincare routine as it to prevents Skin from premature aging.
Normal Skin Type
Normal is well-balanced Skin. The T-zones are the forehead, chin and the nose, maybe a bit oily, but overall Sebum and moisture are balanced, and the Skin is neither too oily nor too dry. Occasionally you might get some redness due to product reaction or a blemish. However, those issues are not something of great concern.
Skincare for Normal Skin type
Use a gentle cleansing oil and followed by a water-soluble cleanser (double cleansing method). Use lightweight lotions and serums that moisturise and nourish the skin.
Oily Skin Type
The Skin is shiny, feels greasy towards the middle of the day or even earlier. This skin type has enlarged pores, especially on the nose, and around the chin and cheeks. This skin type is prone to blackheads.
Skincare for Oily Skin type
Oily Skin is what it sounds like – excessive oil on the face resolute to shiny or greasy appearance. If not treated immediately, the pores become clogged, enlarge; dead skin cells will accumulate and cause blackheads, pimples and acne.
Cleansing: use the double-cleansing method into your skincare routine.
The idea behind the double cleansing method is to use a cleansing oil or similar product. First, remove your makeup. This initial step is supposed to clear the way for your regular cleanser to cleanse your skin instead of having to work its way through layers of makeup.
Moisturising:
- Opt for water-based skincare moisturisers like hyaluronic acid and products containing it.
- Use sheet masks daily will boost skin hydration without adding heavy, oily feeling.
- Use water-based sunscreens.
- The oily skin type. Use products that clean, unclog and minimise the pores.
- . You may also need to take care of the blackheads—products containing BHAs (beta hydroxy acid) and during wintertime AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid). Please refrain from using sulphates in your skincare as they can dry Skin substantially.
Dry Skin Type
Dry skin type means that your skin does not produce enough Sebum to moisturise your skin naturally. It feels dry, tight most of times occasional flaking. People with dry skin notice appearance of wrinkles earlier than people with other skin types; dry Skin is usually dull and lack elasticity.
Skincare for dry skin type
Please do not confuse it with dehydrated Skin: any skin type can become dehydrated due to pollution and incorrect skincare products that strip the Sebum. Dry Skin usually does not get breakouts. If your skin feels dry and you experience breakouts, most likely it is an indication that the Skin dehydrated due to conflicting skin care products.
Dehydrated Skin needs oil-based moisturisers. Try natural emollients like grapeseed oil, cranberry oil, jojoba oil, borage oil and peach kernel oil. These oils are excellent in hydrating the skin while creating a protective layer on the Skin's surface, preventing moisture loss. These oils are also non-comedogenic and won't clog your pores. Do not use any scrubs and alcohol-containing products.
Sensitive Skin Type
Sensitive Skin quickly reacts to new products, a long list of unknown ingredients, the weather and other factors resulting in breakouts, redness, rashes, stinging and flakiness. The Skin quickly turns red from the wind, cold or heat.
Skincare for Sensitive Skin Type
Always use skincare products with a minimal list of ingredients. Avoid products with fragrances, mineral oils, parabens and sulphates as they can trigger massive skin reactions. Recommended using natural emollient for dry and sensitive skin care.
Consider using aloe containing product as they are Very soothing on sensitive skin. When introducing a new skincare product, always perform a patch test to avoid an overall reaction. When cleaning your Skin, use lukewarm water, do not go to extremely hot or cold temperatures.
Combination Skin Type
This skin type usually is characterised by oily T-zone (chin, nose and forehead) and dry/sensitive cheeks.
Skincare for Combination Skin Type
It is challenging to pick skincare products suitable for combination Skin Type. Products with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide have a significant effect. Should incorporate Gentle water-based non-foaming cleansers into skincare by considering switching to the double-cleansing method.
Moisturisers should be a necessity in your skincare routine. Some people will incorporate products designed for both oily and dry skins. Overnight sleeping packs and sheet masks should be in your skincare routine as they provide extra moisture to your skin.
Acne-Prone Skin Type
People with this skin type break out quickly and more often than others. The cause of this is not known; it could be due to genetics, hormones, excessive oil (sebum production) or a combination of things. In any event, skin that is prone to acne breakouts requires special care.
Skincare for Acne-Prone Skin Type
Try to avoid oil-based moisturisers and cream to prevent pore-clogging; instead, include water-based moisturisers and cleansers—Avoid sulphate containing products. Choose skincare products that contain anti-bacterial ingredients. Avoid using heavy oils such as petroleum or mineral oil. Decadent butter like cocoa butter or shea butter; also avoid using comedogenic oils like olive or almond oil. Include products containing AHA or BHA in your skincare to clear out pores and remove dead skin cells.
Aging/Mature Skin Type
Aging skin type does not refer to how old the person is. Some could be in their twenties and already exhibiting signs of aging Skin: dull Skin, pigmentation, loss of elasticity and fine lines. There are multiple reasons besides genetics that affect the aging of Skin: overexposure to the sun, wrong skin care products dehydration, smoking and alcohol etc.
Skincare for Aging Skin
One of the main steps to care for aging skin is the right moisturiser. Using AHA or BHA products is the must for aging Skin to prevent new lines from forming and the old ones fading away. Skincare acids, both AHAs and BHAs, are essential to even out skin tone and brighten.
Sun protection is necessary for Aging Skin. Try and stay in the shade to avoid sunburn, wear a hat and always applied sunscreen protection before leaving home.
Daily Skin Care Routine For all Skin Type
Skincare products applied in a specific order to ensure that your Skin receives all benefits from each product. Apply your products in layers from the thinnest to the thickest, allowing each layer to dry completely before applying another. Apply SPF before leaving your home.
Morning
Step 1: Cleansing using Double Cleansing Method
Step 2: Toner
Step 3: Moisturiser or Light face cream
Step 4: Sunscreen
Night
Step 1: Cleansing using Double Cleansing Method
Step 2: Exfoliate once or twice a week using chemical exfoliants (AHA – alpha hydroxy acid or BHA – beta hydroxy acid:
Step 3: Apply Toner
Step 4: Spot treatment acne, age and blemishes
Step 5: Sheet mask 2-3 times a week.
Step 6: Serum or Ampoule or Essence
Step 6: Eye Cream
Step 7: Night cream or Overnight sleeping pack
Conclusion
it is imperative to know the skin type that would help you choose the right skincare products. One cannot just apply any products to Skin and hope for the best. Using the wrong product will only develop skin problems. If you need help determining your skin condition, get advice from a dermatologist and not from a salesperson behind a cosmetics counter.
"Be good to your skin. You'll wear it every day for the rest of your life."