Knowing Your Skin Type Is The First Step In Knowing How To Care And Protect Your Skin
The quest for flawless skin is universal, and often the appearance of a wrinkle, spot or other blemish, can cause a surprising degree of anguish - because, let’s face it, sometimes beauty is skin-deep. The flood of skin-care products and range of choice has led to increased awareness, but also confusion when it comes to skincare. Bathroom cabinets, worldwide, are brimming with a baffling array of partially used cream and lotions. Perhaps it is time to go back to basics: you may be up to date with the latest skin care trends, but do you really listen to your skin?
One of the most integral steps to skin-care is to understand your skin type and how it reacts to certain conditions. Every person’s skin is unique. In order to select the right cleansers and treatments, it’s essential to know what suits your skin - to help it address its current concerns and look it’s radiant and most youthful best. It’s important to note that there is a difference between skin type and skin concern. For instance, concerns like ageing, wrinkles, and temporary dryness can occur across different skin types. While skin condition can change over time and is affected by the environment, your skin type will usually remains the same.
To develop a better understanding of your skin and what will suit it best, start by answering the questions below. Then add up your score to discover your skin-type.
1. How does your skin feel if you cleanse with soap and water?
A. Tight, as though it’s too small for your face.
B. Smooth and comfortable.
C. Dry and itchy in places.
D. Fine – quite comfortable
E. Dry in some areas and smooth in others.
2. How does your skin feel if you cleanse with a creamy cleanser?
A. Relatively comfortable.
B. Smooth and comfortable.
C. Sometime comfortable, sometimes itchy.
D. Quite oily.
E. Oily in some areas and smooth in others.
3. How does your skin usually look by midday?
A. Flaky patches appearing.
B. Fresh & Clean.
C. Flaky patches and some redness.
D. Shiny
E. Shiny in the T-zone.
4. How often do you break out in spots?
A. Hardly ever.
B. Occasionally, perhaps before or during your period.
C. Occasionally.
D. Often.
E. Often – in the T-zone.
5. How does your skin react when you use an astringent toner?
A. It stings.
B. No problems.
C. Stings and itches.
D. Feels fresher.
E. Feels fresher in some areas but stings in others.
6. How does your skin react to a rich night cream?
A. It feels very comfortable.
B. Comfortable.
C. Sometimes feels comfortable, other times irritated
D. Makes my skin feel very oily.
E. Oily in the T-zone and comfortable on the cheeks.
Now add up you’re A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s, and E’s. Your skin type is the one which has the majority of answers.
Mostly A's: Dry Skin
Dry skin may feel tight and itchy, look dull and flaky, and can get irritated easily. On the plus side, oil tends to be the root of breakouts, and you will be much less prone to spots and acne. Be sure to incorporate a rich moisturiser into your daily skin care routine and avoid the use of astringents and acids.
There is a difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin - dry skin is a skin-type and will not change, dehydrated skin is a skin condition and can be cured. If you are dehydrated, then your skin will also be dry, to remedy dehydration, drink plenty of water. If you have a centrally heated or air-conditioned home or office, then investing in a humidifier can help.
Mostly B's: Normal Skin
This is probably one of the least common skin types, so consider yourself lucky. People with normal skin will notice very infrequent breakouts and they can handle pretty much any product. You should using mild exfoliation once or twice a week to keep your pores unclogged and skin smooth.
Mostly C’s: Sensitive Skin
If you suffer from eczema, asthma, allergies, or rosacea, you probably have sensitive skin. If you experience a burning sensation when using new or many products, you probably have sensitive skin. To test your skin's reaction to a product, swipe a small amount on the side of your neck several times a day. If you don't notice any redness, chances are you're in the clear to continue using it on your face.
According to anything? DR. ELLEN MARMUR, a world-renowned New York City dermatologist, If your skin is generally sensitive, you need to avoid the following ingredients in your skin care product:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Sodium chloride
Surfactants such as:
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Sodium laureth sulfate
- Ammonium lauryl sulfate
- Soaps such as sodium tallowate or cocoate
- Salicylic acid
- Willow bark (the natural version of salicylic acid)
- AHA acids
Chemical sunscreens such as:
- Avobenzone
- Octinoxate
- Octisalate
- Homosalate
- Octocrylene
- Oxybenzone
Mostly D’s: Oily Skin
Within an hour or two of washing your face, you'll notice that your skin is particularly shiny. If you're a teen, this is fairly normal, overactive sebaceous glands release much more oil than normal. So if you're stressed or sweaty (or just plain hormonal), you may notice high oil production where your oil glands are located. This can cause breakouts in different areas for different people, including the back and chest areas. you should stick with oil-free products to keep your shine at bay.
Mostly E’s: Combination Skin
Combination skin is really the most common of all skin types and is basically normal skin throwing a wobbly. You'll notice that your skin is oiliest in the T-zone are and dry around your cheeks. Try not to over cleanse, a common mistake with combination skin. Stick to washing your face twice daily and only apply heavier moisturisers in the areas where your skin tends to be driest. Also be aware of the pH of your cleanser. A mildly acidic pH level is better for balancing the oil in your skin.
Now that you know how to identify your skin type, make sure you take better care of your skin by choosing the right skincare products.