Knowing your skin type
There are four basic skin types: normal, dry, oily and combination. Skin type is determined by genetics. However, the condition of our skin can vary greatly according to various internal and external factors it is subjected to.
5 steps to finding out your own skin type
Step 1: Wash your Face.
Remove make-up followed by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. This cleanses away the oils and dirt that may have accumulated during your day.
Step 2: Wait!
Wait for an hour to two. During this time, your skin should have returned to its natural state, the characteristics of which will determine your skin type. Remember to wait patiently. DO NOT touch your face.
Step 3: Dab your face with a tissue.
Pay attention to the “T-zone” area.
Step 4: Determine your skin type.
There are four basic types of healthy skin: normal, dry, oily and combination.
Normal skin
Shows neither oil nor flaking skin. It should feel supple and smooth. If you have it, consider yourself lucky!
Not too dry and not too oily, normal skin has:
- No or few imperfections
- No severe sensitivity
- Barely visible pores
- A radiant complexion
Oily skin
Characterized by the grease on the tissue. ‘Oily’ is used to describe a skin type with heightened sebum production.
You may have:
- Enlarged pores
- Dull or shiny, thick complexion
- Blackheads, pimples, or other blemishes
Dry skin
May feel taut or show flakes of dead skin. It is associated with small pores. Moisturizing is important for this skin type.
You may have:
- Almost invisible pores
- Dull, rough complexion
- Red patches
- Less elastic skin
- More visible lines
Combination skin
It exhibits traits of all three of the above skin types.
Your skin can be dry or normal in some areas and oily in others, such as the T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin). Many people have this type. It may require slightly different care in different areas.
Combination skin can have:
- Pores that look larger than normal, because they’re more open
- Blackheads
- Shiny skin
Know what problems your skin might have.
There are usually two ‘problem’ categories that your skin may fall under, as well as your skin type. These two categories are:
Sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin, your face reacts easily to regular skin products. This means that when you use regular skin products, your face will get red, itchy, or a rash could form.
Acne-prone skin
Even if you’re not a teenager, you may still get pimples/acne, especially if you have an oily skin type. If you have acne-prone skin, look around for good acne products.
Disclaimer: It’s recommended to consult your dermatologist/doctor if you have a serious case of skin concerns and problems.