What’s Your Skin Type?

While your genetic makeup contributes to your skin type, external factors like diet, stress levels, and sun exposure also play a significant role. Ever noticed a breakout on your chin during stressful times or felt your skin parched after basking in the sun for too long? These are clues that your skin is reacting to external influences.

As we navigate through life, our skin type may evolve, with aging often resulting in drier skin. Therefore, paying attention to your skin is crucial.

As we age, the levels of collagen, ceramide, and hyaluronic acid decrease, leading to wrinkles, dark spots, and dryness. Suddenly, those complex terms in skincare product adverts make a lot more sense!

Now, let’s explore each skin type:

1. Normal Skin: This type indicates a well-balanced interplay of environmental and genetic factors. Normal skin is neither too dry nor too oily, with minimal imperfections and low sensitivity. Pores are smaller, and the skin is soft with an even tone—considered the ideal skin type.

2. Dry Skin: Characterised by a lack of moisture or natural oils, dry skin occurs when the skin barrier falters, resulting in reduced lipid levels and water retention. This can lead to peeling, flaking, or cracking, with a dull tone and occasional itching. Dry skin individuals often have small pores and are less prone to acne.

3. Oily Skin: Caused by the overproduction of natural oils (sebum), oily skin is influenced by internal factors, genetics, or hormonal imbalances. Common in teenagers due to hormonal fluctuations, oily skin feels greasy, looks shiny, and may be prone to acne. Enlarged pores are typical, and makeup may struggle to adhere.

4. Sensitive Skin: Arising from a weakened epidermal barrier or an overactive immune system, sensitive skin reacts strongly to external factors. Genetic predispositions may lead to conditions like eczema or rosacea. Sensitivity can manifest as redness, peeling, burning, or itching and is often exacerbated by makeup, pollution, or UV rays.

5. Combination Skin: Combining both oily and normal/dry areas, this skin type features an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and dry skin elsewhere. Balancing this type can be nuanced, as degrees of oiliness and dryness can vary.

Now that we’ve decoded the skin types, let’s explore how to care for each:

Tips for Different Skin Types:

Normal Skin:

• Requires a daily routine with cleansing.
• Apply SPF daily to protect against UV rays.
• Exfoliate 2-3 times a week.
• Moisturise during dry conditions or as needed.

Dry Skin:

• Use gentle cleansers.
• Opt for a rich moisturiser.
• Stay hydrated.
• Use humidifiers in dry climates.
• Protect against elements causing dryness.

Oily Skin:

• Focus on reducing shine.
• Choose products addressing oil production.
• Cleanse morning, evening, and after exercise.
• Opt for oil-free skincare and makeup.
• Use blotting papers for excessive shine.

Combination Skin:

• Use separate products for oily and dry areas.
• Choose oil-free moisturiser for oily zones.
• Experiment to find the right balance.
• Blotting papers may help with excess oil.
• Cleanse no more than twice a day.

Sensitive Skin:

• Identify triggers for sensitivity.
• Opt for cleansers low in Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and Retinol.
• Choose moisturizers with Ceramide for enhanced skin barrier function.
• Select products with soothing ingredients like Willow Bark Extract and Menthyl Lactate.
• Avoid fragranced products, citrus, essential oils, simple alcohol, and sulfates.

Acne-Prone Skin:

• Avoid oil-based skincare and makeup.
• Steer clear of products containing occlusives.
• Use blotting paper.
• Opt for cleansers with Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) to combat acne.

Regardless of your skin type, a consistent skincare routine is essential. Remove makeup and pollutants before bedtime, cleanse in the morning, and stay hydrated. Applying SPF daily is a must, even on cloudy days, to shield against harmful UV rays.