Do you know your skin type?

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The largest organ in the body is the skin. The type of skin is determined by genetics, although it will also be affected by several other environmental factors, such as lifestyle & diet, hormonal changes, and climate and can change with time. Based upon these characteristics, there are various types of healthy skin:

Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily and Sensitive Skin.

Normal Skin

The skin has regular texture no imperfections and a clean, soft appearance, and does not need special care. It is neither too oily nor too dry. The skin is not prone to breakouts on their cheeks, and tend to have a well-moisturized t-zone.

Dry Skin

It occurs when the skin does not retain enough moisture and may be accompanied by itching, inflammation, scaling or cracking. You may experience a dull, rough complexion, red patches, more visible lines and your skin may be less elastic. The best moisturizers for dry skin are those containing ingredients as Ceramides because of its ability to attract water and deliver it directly to skin cells. Emollients, including olive oil, help smooth and hydrate your skin evenly and effectively. Humectants as glycerin attract water vapor to moisturize the skin.

Combination Skin

It is a mixture of different skin types, having dry or normal skin in some areas and oily in others, such as the T-zone (nose, forehead and chin) needing slightly different care in different areas.

Oily Skin

It occurs when the skin’s sebaceous glands make too much sebum/oils leaving a visible shine on the skin. Sebum is important in protecting and hydrating the skin, however excess sebum can lead to oily skin, clogged pores and acne presented by whiteheads and blackheads and may be accompanied by inflammation. Oilier skin is also prone to PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), a condition which leaves dark spots on the skin after a breakout has healed. Daily gentle exfoliation is essential to promote cell turnover along with preventing sebum buildup in pores and is also useful for balancing the tone and texture of your skin.

Sensitive Skin

Normal, dry, combination or oily can also be accompanied by sensitive skin. It refers to skin that is more prone to inflammation or adverse reactions. People with sensitive or irritated skin may have strong reactions to products containing different substances such as chemicals, dyes, and fragrances that come into contact with the skin. It is delicate and fragile skin that is usually accompanied by feelings of discomfort, such as heat, tightness, redness or itching. This type of skin loses its barrier (or protective) function, making it easy for microorganisms and irritant substances to enter it, and increasing the possibility of having an infection and allergic reactions. It needs more care to fight dryness, roughness and its usual appearance. Patch testing a new formula on your inner forearm is an excellent way to minimize potential reactions on the face. If your skin shows no sign of flaring up, apply the formula to the area behind one of your ears before using it on your face. Look for labels that identify formulas as Paraben free.

HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TYPE:

THE BARE-FACED METHOD: Cleanse your face thoroughly with a mild cleanser and gently pat dry. Leave skin bare (and do not apply any additional moisturizers, serums or treatments). After 30 minutes, examine your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead for any shine. After another 30 minutes, evaluate whether your skin feels parched, especially if you smile or make any other facial expressions. If your skin feels tight, your skin is likely dry. If there is noticeable shine on your nose and forehead, your skin is mostly likely normal/combination. If there is shine on your cheeks in addition to your forehead and nose, you most likely have oily skin.