Understanding Your Skin
Learn how to determine your skin type and build a skincare routine that’s suited to your needs. Your skin type is genetic, and whether you’re dealing with dryness, oiliness, or something in between, knowing your skin type will help you choose the best products for a healthy, glowing complexion
How to Determine Your Skin Type: The Simple Test
Knowing your skin type is the first step in determining what products you should be using. Here’s a simple test to help you:
- Cleanse your face: Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove any makeup, dirt, and excess oil.
- Wait for an hour: Let your skin return to its natural state without applying any products. This will give you a true sense of how your skin behaves throughout the day.
- Check your skin: After an hour, begin to evaluate your skin based on how it feels in different areas of your face:
- Dry: Feels tight, rough, or flaky with a lack of moisture.
- Normal: Feels comfortable and smooth, neither too oily nor too dry.
- Combination: Some areas are dry, while others, like the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), feel oily.
- Oily: Skin feels greasy, particularly in the T-zone, and may appear shiny.
The Simple Test:
What is your Skin Type?
The 4 Skin Types and How to Care for Them
1. Dry Skin
Dry skin can feel tight, rough, and may be prone to flakiness especially when unbalanced. If you notice your skin feels rough and uncomfortable, especially after washing, you likely have dry skin.
Tips for Dry Skin:
- Hydrate: Use a rich, hydrating moisturiser that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to help retain moisture.
- Avoid Foaming Cleansers: Choose a gentle, hydrating cleanser to avoid stripping your skin’s natural oils.
- Exfoliate Gently: Dry skin can sometimes result in dead skin buildup. Exfoliating once or twice a week with a mild scrub or enzyme exfoliant can help. Dry skins can often benefit from chemical exfoliants.
- Face Oils: Incorporating nourishing oils like jojoba, avocado and apricot kernel.
Product Recommendations:
- Hydrating cleansers (think cream-based, not foaming) like Restore PRO Cleansing Creme or Comfort PLUS for skin sensitivity.
- Rich moisturisers day and night.
- Introducing a serum rich in Hyaluronic Acid like Ultra Care+ Moisturising Sytem
- Face oils for added nourishment (P.M use only).
2. Normal Skin
Lucky enough to have normal skin? Skin goals! Normal skin feels balanced—comfortable without excess dryness or oiliness.
Tips for Normal Skin:
- Keep It Balanced: Use a gentle cleanser and a lightweight moisturiser to maintain the balance.
- Stay Consistent: A simple, consistent skincare routine is key. Stick to your basics: cleanser, toner, moisturiser, and SPF.
- Sun Protection: Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, as UV rays can affect all skin types.
- Occasional Masking: Treat your skin to a hydrating or detoxifying mask once a week to keep it glowing.
Product Recommendations:
3. Combination Skin
Combination skin is a bit of a blend—it’s normal in some areas (like the cheeks) and oily or dry in others (like the T-zone). This skin type requires a little extra balance and attention.
Tips for Combination Skin:
- Target Different Areas: Use different products for different parts of your face. For example, apply a richer moisturiser to dry areas and a lightweight one to oilier spots.
- Toning Matters: Don’t skip the toner! Toner can help control oil in the T-zone without stripping moisture from the rest of your face.
- Exfoliate Strategically: Exfoliate areas that tend to get oily more often, but be gentle with dryer areas.
- Non-Comedogenic Products: Look for lightweight products that won’t clog your pores, especially for the T-zone.
Product Recommendations:
- Hydrating and oil-controlling products
- Balancing toners
- Oil-free, lightweight moisturisers for oily areas
4. Oily Skin
Oily skin produces excess sebum (oil), which can leave a shiny appearance, especially in the T-zone. You may be prone to clogged pores, blackheads, and acne.
Tips for Oily Skin:
- Control Shine: Use a mattifying primer or oil-free moisturiser to control excess shine throughout the day.
- Oil-Free Cleanser: Look for gel-based or foaming cleansers to help control oil without over-drying the skin.
- Exfoliate Regularly: Oily skin can be prone to clogged pores. Regular exfoliation (2-3 times a week) will keep your pores clear.
- Clay Masks: Clay masks, such as those with bentonite or kaolin, can help absorb excess oil and purify the skin.
- Avoid Over-Cleansing: While it may seem counterintuitive, over-cleansing can actually cause your skin to produce more oil. Stick to a routine that keeps oil under control without stripping the skin.
Product Recommendations:
- Oil-free cleansers and moisturisers
- Mattifying primers
- Clay or charcoal masks
Conclusion
Knowing your skin type is the first step to building a skincare routine that works for you. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, oiliness, or a combination, choosing the right products and routine will help your skin stay healthy and glowing.
By giving your skin what it needs, you’ll feel confident in your skincare routine and enjoy healthier, more radiant skin.