Understanding your skin is the first step to finding out what is the best way to take care of your skin. Your skin is one of the largest organs of the body; just as important as your heart, lungs, or liver. Those who buy products without fully understanding the pros and cons of a it has a large risk of harming their skin.
Although everyone has their own unique skin, there are four common skin types: Oily, Dry, Normal, and Combination. Figuring out what skin type you have will ultimately help you achieve your desired skin. However, you are unable to determine what skin type you have, here are some tips and tricks to help you!
Skin Types
- Oily Skin refers to skin that produces excess oil, causing the skin to appear shiny and feel greasy. Those with this skin type are more prone to acne breakouts and may develop acne blemishes
- Dry Skin is the opposite of oily skin. Rather than creating excess oil, the skin produces none, causing the skin to look dull and become flaky. If not taken care properly, the skin may itch and become irritated
- Normal Skin is the best out of all the skin types. With normal skin, you don’t tend to react negatively to different products or weather patterns. Thus, you have free reign to experiment with different cleansers, moisturizer, and face mask
- Combinations Skin consist of both dry and oily skin. With combination skin, oil tends to build up in your T-zone (across the forehead and the line down the nose), while the rest of your face is either dry or normal
Other Potential Skin Types
Besides the four main skin types listed above, there are two more that you could potentially have; acne-prone skin and sensitive skin. With acne-prone skin, you will frequently break out; there’s also a possibility that your skin never clears up as well. If you have acne-prone skin, this means your pores tend to clog more easily. With clogged pores, you become more susceptible to whiteheads, blackheads, and pustules. Those with acne-prone skin can also have either oily or dry skin. Keep in mind that when you are cleaning your skin, make sure to be gentle and use cleansers specifically formulated to treat acne. When looking for skincare products, make sure to use products that include ingredients such as salicylic acid, clay, benzoyl peroxide, or retinol.
Those with sensitive skin should also be wary of the types of products they use. Sensitive skin can be caused by various factors such as genetics, allergies, and external factors. When choosing skincare products make sure to stay away from any fragrance or irritants like alcohol or anti-bacterial ingredients. Signs of sensitive skin include:
- Skin that flushes easily
- Frequent rashes and bumps
- Stinging or burning after using a skincare product
- Negative reaction to fragrance
- Patches of dry, flaky, irritated skin
Methods to Find Your Skin Type
Bare-Face method
One of the easiest ways to determine your skin type is to wash and observe. First cleanse your face with a mild cleanser, then gently pat dry. Once dry, leave your face bare (avoid applying lotion, moisturizer, or any product that will change the outcome of the skin). After waiting 30 minutes, examine your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead for your results. If your skin feels tight, you most likely have dry skin. However, if you notice some shine within your T-zone, you probably have combination skin. If there is shine in both your T-zone and cheeks, you have oily skin.
Blotting Sheet Method
The blotting sheet method is faster and is a great alternative to the bare-face method. Gently pat a blotting sheet in various areas on your face. Hold the sheet to the light and determine the amount of oil that is collected on the sheet. If the sheet picks up little to no oil, you most likely have dry skin. If your blotting sheets picks up oil from your forehead or nose area, your skin is normal or combinations. However, if your blotting sheet is saturated in oil from various areas on your skin, you have oily skin.
