Do you know just like you dress according to the body type you have, you can tailor your skincare according to your skin type? Now, you can go with the ‘one-size fits all’ theory for clothing but when it comes to skin type, it doesn’t work that way.
This is mainly because different types of skin react differently to different products, environments, and diets that you take. The key to healthy skin is always knowing your type and using the right products.
Now, choosing the right products to take care of your skin comes after you educate yourself about what type of skin you have.
Different Types of Skin – Know your Skin Type
There are basic 5 types and these can be recognized with small indicators. Let’s have a look.
1. Normal Skin
The normal skin type is the best one that you can have. It is neither too oily nor too dry. It is less reactive if compared with other types and is pretty easy to maintain.
2. Oily Skin
Oily Skin is often characterized by greasiness throughout the face. This occurs usually due to overactive sebaceous glands (sometimes a lot in number). These can lead to excessive sebum production in the skin.
3. Dry Skin
Dry Skin type is seen to be flaky compared to the different types of skin. There is some sort of bleeding observed sometimes and can even give your face a powdery appearance. Management of the itch in dry skin can be tricky as it lacks the needed hydration and can feel very tight on the face.
It can also lead to sensitivity towards some products. For example, foaming face washes or serums used to exfoliate the skin can cause irritability on dry skin.
4. Combination Skin
What is combination skin? The top dermatologists at Southeast Hospital say that combination skin is one where the T-zone is oily and the cheeks are dry. The oiliness and the dryness can be a response to weather conditions like summer causing extreme oiliness and winters causing extreme dryness.
5. Sensitive Skin
Sensitive Skin compared to other types of skin, is identified by its reactions to food, environmental factors, and the product used on the skin. All of this happens in a manner that is more persistent with constant triggers.
How to Find Your Skin Type?
To determine what type of skin you have, follow these steps:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
- Pat dry with a clean towel
- Observe how your skin looks and feels after washing it
- Keep noticing how the skin feels after a few hours
Normal skin will feel clean and fresh. It will not feel tight or irritated after washing. It will remain the same throughout the day and will not change as compared to other types of skin
Oily skin on the other hand might look matt after washing but will become shiny or greasy over the next hours. The oil can be seen if a person blows their nose with a tissue.
Dry skin will start to feel tight and extra dry after washing. It might also start to look dull, flaky, and rough.
Combination skin will start to show oil on the T-zone, which includes the nose, chin, and forehead.
How to Take Care of Different Skin Types – Tips and Tricks to Try!
Now that you know the answer to how to know your skin type, it is important for you to know how to take care of different types of skin
Normal Skin
When you are blessed with normal skin, it is very important that you maintain it. Normal skin is very balanced when it comes to pH and oil production. By looking at that, one thinks that there is no need to invest in taking care of the skin. But here are some tips.
- Make sure to moisturize your skin regularly, regardless of the skin type you have. Hydrated skin is always beautiful!
- Add ingredients like vitamin C for getting youthful skin, and retinol (dermatologist-approved) for more mature and plump skin. Add hyaluronic acid for extra hydration to stay away from dull and dry skin.
- Make wearing sunscreen a part of the day. It applies to all types of skin. Wear it both indoors and outdoors. The sun’s rays can penetrate the windows and can still damage your skin. A minimum of 30 SPF can get the job done. Eapply when you are working outside.
Oily Skin
As much as oily skin can be due to hormonal changes, genetics, or climate, don’t forget that it is also the most prone to acne and breakouts. Some tips that you can use to take care of your oily skin include:
- Always use oil-absorbing cleansers and follow with a moisturizer. It is best to use oil-free moisturizers that are water-based.
- Try and use lightweight products i.e gel-based, silicone-based, or water-based to maintain oil on the skin.
- Do not overwash or skip the moisturizer as this can lead to more oil production. Moisturizer is a must for all types of skin. If you need to wash your face to get rid of oil, then use plain water instead.
- Use blotting paper and rice papers to help de-grease your face instantly.
To read more about skincare routine for men, click here.
Dry Skin
Dr skin can be due to genetics, seasonal changes, and due to aging. Here are the tips to help you take care of your dry skin.
- Moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize! Moisturize your skin twice a day.
- Use a humidifier in your house to seep some hydration into your skin.
- Try and incorporate ingredients like mineral oil, glycerin squalene, cocoa butter, and synthetic compounds like diglycol laureate in your skincare routine.
- Avoid taking too many hot showers as they extract moisture from the body as dry skin can get more dry compared to other types of skin.
Read more about the best moisturizers in Pakistan.
Combination Skin
- Combination skin type can be due to a response to the weather or can also be a result of genetics or the use of harsh chemicals. Here are some of the tips for the maintenance of combination skin type.
- Try and adapt two different routines for your face. For instance, you can use some mattifying cleansers and toners in the T-zone to treat the excessive oil. Just like that, use heavy creams just for the dry area on your face.
- Keep overall skincare product purchases oil-free, as the oil-infused product can be rich in the T-zone.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin out of all types of skin is a result of sensitive nerve endings on the face. This gives the skin a pinkish and reddish appearance. This leads to irritation on the skin. So, some tips that can help you out include.
- Moisturize your skin and use thin and light-weight moisturizers
- Astringents and toners are a big no-no
- Find the right pH for your skin by consulting with a dermatologist near you
- Do not use products with fragrance, parabens, or harsh ingredients in them
When to Contact Healthwire!
After knowing different types of skin, it must have gotten clear in your head what skin type you have and what products are good for you. If you are still concerned or want some in-depth answers, it is best to contact the top dermatologist associated with Healthwire Dr. Mahvish Aftab Khan by visiting the Healthwire app.