Do you have oily, normal or combination skin?
If you are confused, then know that the importance of knowing your skin type goes a long way. It can be a saviour from all the problems and damage your skin may be dealing with, such as acne, sun damage etc. It is essential to acknowledge that simply diving onto celebrity-endorsed skin products or suggested by friends, without knowing if it suits you can wreak havoc on your skin.
There is a high chance that what works great on your friend skin may induce more harm than good on your skin. Meaning, if the product isn’t right for your skin type, it can aggravate and worsen existing conditions. What’s more, the constant defeat and skin problems tend to target your self-confidence too. Various studies claim that once you are well acquainted with your skin type, choosing skin products would become a fairly easy task. Now, we understand, you must be wondering, ‘how to know your skin type?’, but worry not we have just the solution for you.
WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS TYPES OF SKIN AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS?
- Acne-prone/Oily skin
- Dry skin
- Combination skin
- Sensitive skin
- Normal skin
1. Acne-prone/ Oily skin
Acne-prone or oily skin occurs when your skin barrier starts producing an excess of sebum (oil). This leads to clogged pores, eventually causing oily skin and sudden acne.
Characteristics of acne-prone/oily skin
- Shiny and often has sudden breakouts.
- Fewer wrinkles are visible.
- Enlarged pores.
- Makeup tends to wear off
2. Dry skin
American Academy of Dermatology characterizes dry skin by ‘poor epidermal function’ and potential damage to the epidermal layer (the protective outer layer of your skin). It can be a genetic predisposition or inappropriate skin care routine and habits.
Characteristics of dry skin
- Skin feels tight and irritable or inflamed.
- Often tends to appear flaky.
- Have visible fine lines.
- Barely visible pores.
3. Combination skin
Combination skin is a mixture of two skin types that are oily skin and normal/dry skin. The T-zone area that is the forehead, nose, and chin tends to produce an excess amount of sebum (oil) that gets accumulated. This leads to a shiny and greasy appearance around T-zone. Whereas, your u-zone, that is, cheek, mouth, eyes appear flaky or normal.
Characteristics of combination skin
- Visible large pores around t-zone.
- Often appears flaky around u-zone.
- Have visible fine lines around u-zone.
4. Sensitive skin
It is usually caused by the irritation of nerve ending in the top layer of your skin, usually when the skin’s natural barrier is weakened or broken. Amy B. Lewis, a board-certified dermatologist explains that sensitive skin is generally divided into four types.
The first one is naturally sensitive. It occurs due to genetics and can be linked to inflammatory skin conditions, like, psoriasis, rosacea etc. The second is environmentally sensitive skin that is usually triggered by sun exposure, air pollution etc. The third is reactive skin that tends to become inflamed due to harsh skin-care ingredients present in certain skincare products like parabens, sulphate etc. The fourth is the thin skin that becomes thinner with the progression in age. This results in your skin becoming irritated easily.
Characteristics of sensitive skin
- Appears blotchy and irritated.
- Becomes red and swollen easily.
- Often sensitive to fragrance and colourants.
5. Normal skin
Normal skin is characterized by what it's not. If your skin is generally neither dry nor oily, it's considered to be normal. It is either genetically passed on or can be achieved with a good skincare routine and daily habits.
Characteristics of normal skin
- Clear appearance and even skin texture.
- Feels neither tight nor greasy.
- Is soft and smooth.
- Has visibly good elasticity and moisture content.
HOW TO KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE? WAYS TO DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TYPE
- Bare-face method
- Blotting sheet method
1. Bare-face method
Top dermatologists state that the bare-faced method is one of the most reliable ways to know your skin type at-home. All you need to do is cleanse your face thoroughly with a non-comedogenic cleanser and gently pat dry with a soft face towel. Refrain from applying any skin product. Examine your skin closely after 30 minutes. What does your skin look like? If it appears shiny on your T-zone then you are likely to have combination or normal skin. Or, if you find oil gathered on various parts of your face, then you have oily skin. However, if your skin feels tight and has visible flaky areas, then you are most likely to be dealing with dry skin.
2. Blotting sheet method
Another best way to know your skin type at home is by blotting sheet method. Gently cleanse your face thoroughly with non-comedogenic cleanser and gently pat dry. After 40 minutes of washing your face, take a blotting paper and gently dab it onto your skin. If the paper gathers oil from all the areas, then you likely have oily skin. If the blotting paper revels minimal oil from certain areas, such as your T-zone, then you are likely to have normal or combination skin. But, if it didn’t pick up any oil at all; you have dry skin.
Knowing your skin type is surely a fundamental step towards achieving clear, dewy, healthy skin. What’s more, it will not only protect your skin from any critical damage but also save you time and money. We certainly hope that these tips will help you become acquainted with your skin type. It is pivotal to understand that with the progression in time your skin needs can change. On that account, it is in your best interest to identify and determine whether any adjustments to your current skincare ritual are required that will show you long-lasting results.
P.S.
Now that you realize the importance of knowing your skin type, it is only tactful to recognize the importance of ingredients you invest in. Similar to knowing your skin type, having facts about the ingredients present in the skincare regimen plays a huge role. Therefore, always check the products before investing in it if you wish to make your skin appear healthy and glowing. Make sure that the ingredients present in your products are parabens -sulphate free and non-comedogenic as it helps your skin from unwanted side effects.
