Before purchasing skin care products, it is important to have an understanding of your skin type. Many people incorrectly select the products that are right for them. Using products that aren’t suited for your specific skin type can lead to other skin issues and aggravate existing issues. Skin care is not one size fits all – therefore knowing your skin type will help you make educated decisions when choosing what products to use, and ultimately save time and money.
In order to determine your own, you first have to gain an understanding of the difference between skin types.
THE 4 MAIN SKIN TYPES
There are four main skin types: oily, dry, combination and normal. Young people commonly have an oily skin type and older people tend to have a dry skin type, but that is not the case for everyone and over time ones’ skin type may change.
- Oily is used to describe a skin type with a heightened sebum, or oil, production. Commonly this skin can look glossy, thicker, with enlarged or clearly visible pores, and maybe experiencing breakouts.
- Dry is used to describe a skin type that has a lower production level of sebum which results in its inability to retain moisture and build a protective shield against external influences. Dry skin can have varying degrees of severity and may look patchy and/or irritated (red).
- Combination skin types are both oily and dry at the same time. The difference is about the skin in the T-zone and the cheeks. The T-zone can be oily with dry cheeks, resulting in the mixed skin type.
- Normal is used to describe well balanced skin. Sebum production and moisture barrier are balanced – the skin is neither too oily nor too dry.
HOW TO DETERMINE YOURS
To properly examine your skin, first, cleanse your skin with a milder cleanser to clear out impurities. Once clean, pat face dry and leave skin bare for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, examine your face. Really observe – look at your cheeks, nose, chin and forehead to see if they have any shine or redness. Wait another 30 minutes, then evaluate and feel your skin.
Does it feel tight or sensitive? Do you see redness or patchiness? If so, you are most likely a dry skin type. If you feel slippery and see shine almost everywhere you are most likely an oily skin type. And if you see shine but your cheeks or temple area feel dehydrated you are most likely a combination skin type. If your skin feels even, not too dry or oily – normal would be your skin type.
This is a great general guideline to determine your skin type. However, your best bet for an accurate diagnosis of your skin is to have it treated by a licensed skin care professional.
It’s important to note that season, temperature, age, pollution, and health are all factors that can affect your skin and change the way it behaves. Skin types evolve as we age and can change from one to the other over time due to hormones, sun exposure, medication, even seasons. It is important to reevaluate your skin every few months or when you are in a new environment to ensure that you are using the best products to help your skin feel and look its best. Doing so will help ensure you are always choosing the right products.
We know skin is a complex organ and there is a lot of mixed messages across the internet about how to best care for your skin. At SKN BAR, we dedicate our practice to make sure you are in-the-know about your skin’s condition and how to best take care of it to achieve the skin you’ve always dreamed of. With this in mind, we offer complimentary skincare consultations to help you start your skincare journey — click here to schedule yours!
