Know Your Skin Type
You’re in the skincare aisle of your local store, trying to find a product to help your skin, but you are lost. Among the bottles, you see SPF moisturizers for men, aloe vera gels, coffee scrubs, and oil cleansers for men. As you browse, one says it is excellent for oily skin, another for dry skin or combination skin. How does one determine their skin type?
What even IS normal skin? To give you a jumping-off point for choosing your next face wash or facial mask, today we are going to help you determine your skin type so that you can go forth into the skincare aisle with more confidence.
Tip: Skin Type May Change Over Time
Keep in mind while exploring this topic that your skin can change over time and in different environments. When I lived in the humid south, my skin was always oily. Upon moving to the Pacific Northwest, my skin turned to combination skin. Significant diet and life changes can also alter how your skin appears—keep these things in mind while you browse for your next skincare lineup.
1. Normal Skin
If you’re one of the blessed folks who have normal skin, your skin will appear even in texture and pigmentation. People with normal skin don’t experience much oil or dryness, but they will still experience occasional blemishes and acne. Pores on normal skin are fine, and the skin will appear smooth. If your skin is normal, it still needs care.
2. Oily Skin
Oily skin has a generally shiny appearance. Coupled with the shiny appearance is a generally coarser texture to the skin and larger pores. Blackheads, blemishes, and breakouts are more common with oily skin.
3. Combination Skin
Combination skin has features of normal, oily, and dry skin. Combination skin usually appears more oily in the T-Zone or the lower forehead and nose and drier on the cheeks and chin. Other combinations of oily and dry patches are possible, but the pattern described above is the most common.
4. Dry Skin
A tight feeling after cleansing or treatment is the hallmark of dry skin. Dry skin usually has fine pores and is usually patchy or dull. Folks with dry skin will often find their skin is fragile or flaking at times when it isn’t given enough moisture.
5. Mature Skin
Mature skin generally shows signs of aging, such as wrinkles and creases. It is normal for maturing skin also to be drier. It is usually more difficult for mature skin to retain moisture. Serums and anti-aging creams for men and women are generally a favorite for those with mature skin.
6. Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is particularly reactionary. Sensitive skin responds quickly to changes in lifestyle and environment. Sensitive skin easily reddens when irritated.
Environmental factors aren’t the only thing that causes sensitive skin to throw a fit; sensitive skin also generally becomes inflamed when exposed to abrasive ingredients, like those in coffee scrubs, or textures in a product as well as preservatives, perfumes, and dyes. Sensitive skin can be a standalone skin type or may appear in combination with oily or dry skin.
Skin Type Treatment – What’s Next?
Now that you’ve got a jumping-off point, it’s time to delve into the next chapter—choosing skincare products for you! When testing new products, keep in mind that your skin needs three weeks or more to adjust to a new routine, and breakouts during this time period are expected.
Finding the right skincare regimen is a difficult task, but once you’ve got products that work for you, your skin will thank you for years to come.
Sources:
The No BS Guide to Discovering Your Real Skin Type – Healthline
