The 5 Main Skin Types

The 5 Skin Types:

There are 5 main skin types, so, let’s look at their characteristics so that you can decide which one you have and then choose the appropriate skincare products and makeup products for your skin type.

Normal Skin:

Analysis:

The best skin type is Normal skin because it is well balanced, therefore, it is neither too oily nor too dry and scientifically is called Eudermic. It has fine pores and feels smooth and soft. Cheeks can be a little dry and you may get some shine and larger pores on the forehead, nose or chin but not noticeably so.

Normal Skin Characteristics:

• Not too dry and not too oily
• Neither tight nor greasy
• No or few imperfections
• No severe sensitivity
• Barely visible pores
• Skin looks clear with an even colour
• The epidermis is of an average thickness
• It is soft to touch with a high degree of elasticity

Care of Normal Skin:

• Routine cleansing with a foam cleanser.
• Exfoliate twice a week.
• Moisturise with a lightweight lotion.
• A diet of rich in vitamins A, C, and E helps keep the skin smooth and soft.
• Drink plenty water to keep your skin hydrated and get rid of any toxins in the body.

People who are blessed with normal skin are very lucky but as with all skin types make sure you have a good skincare routine and wear sunscreen because so many outside influences like the weather, illness, foods we eat etc can affect your skin.

Dry Skin

Dry Skin Analysis:

Dry skin produces less sebum (oil) than normal skin and may have small pores, flaky patches or millia (small spots with white heads). It may appear dull or feel rough or uneven, dehydrated and can be sensitive. It shows fine lines sooner than other skin types.

Dry Skin Characteristics:

• Almost invisible pores
• Dull, rough complexion
• Skin is less elastic
• Your skin can crack, peel, or become itchy, flaky, irritated, or inflamed.
• It has a thin epidermis possibly with red patches or broken capillaries
• It has under-active sebaceous glands and feels tight after washing 
• Fine lines appear prematurely 

Triggers for Dry skin:

• Puberty, menopause or other hormonal imbalances
• Stress
• Heating, air-conditioning or too much humidity
• Medication
• Genetics
• Aging
• Weather such as wind, sun, or cold
• Ingredients in soaps, cosmetics, or skincare products

The Advantages of Having Dry Skin

• Usually very tight pores so it can appear very smooth.
• No excess shine. 
• Less prone to blemishes and acne. 

The Disadvantages of Having Dry Skin

• It can be very sensitive to environmental factors (such as heat, cold) or the wrong beauty products.
• Skin can become flaky and rough and even sore and sensitive if not treated well. 
• It can be more sensitive and react badly to sunlight. 

Care of Dry Skin:

• Healthy diet, with foods high in water content, such as fruits and vegetables.
• At least 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated.
• Limit Caffeine and alcohol intake as they cause dehydration.
• Limit sun exposure
• Use rich, creamy cleansers or oils to clean your skin and remove makeup and exfoliate once or twice a week with a gentle exfoliator.
• Layering skin care products like a rose toner, a serum and a moisturiser can help penetrate the skin better, keep it hydrated and create more protective layers.
• Use rich creamy moisturisers rather than lotions or gels, enriched with coconut or jojoba oils.
• Using an oil and rich night cream at night, will help your skin repair itself while you rest
• Keep a rose water spray by your desk or in your bathroom to spritz your skin throughout the day to keep it hydrated.

Oily Skin:

Oily Skin Analysis:

You may struggle with acne, blemishes and blackheads. Oily skin is shiny, especially down the T-zone (the forehead, nose and chin) and it is caused by overactive sebaceous or oil-producing glands. Over production of sebum is called Seborrhoea.

Oily skin can often be caused by hormones and genes but with just the right treatments and products, it can be helped.

Oily Skin Characteristics:

• Medium to dark complexion
• Dull or shiny, thick epidermis
• Over-active sebaceous glands which cause a shiny appearance
• Open pores, particularly down the T Zone
• Comedones (blackheads) and pustules (pimple with yellowish pus) or pimples
• Prone to acne

Triggers for oily skin:

• Puberty, menopause or other hormonal imbalances
• Stress
• Heat or too much humidity
• Genetics
• Medication
• Comedogenic makeup or skincare

The Advantages of Having Oily Skin

• It keeps you looking younger for longer as it keeps wrinkles at bay
• It needs less moisturising and hydrating treatments than other skin types

The Disadvantages of Having Oily Skin

• Large pores and prone to blackheads can give an uneven appearance overall which is hard to camouflage.
• Camouflaging an oily T zone can be challenging as it is not always possible to find a makeup for very oily skin that will keep it matified all day and choosing one that doesn’t work well with your skin can often lead to blemishes and breakouts. 

Care of Oily Skin:

• Maintaining oily skin and the prevention of breakouts requires a healthy diet and a regular skincare routine.
• Cleanse the face twice a day to prevent dirt accumulation and to keep pores open but avoid washing too often.
• Use an alcohol-free astringent to remove excess oil.
• Get masks or washes containing exfoliating granules like oatmeal, to help unblock pores and get rid of dead skin.
• Gel or mousse facial washes are good.
• Use oil-free moisturisers to keep the skin from becoming dehydrated and an oil-free foundation.
• Choose fluid or gel moisturisers over creams as they will absorb quicker into the skin and won’t clog pores.
• Choose skincare and makeup products that are ‘noncomedogenic’ (which means it won’t clog pores) and oil free.

Combination Skin:

Combination Skin Analysis:

It basically means a combination or mix of 2 or more skin types in different areas of the face. Often, people with combination skin will have an oily and spotty T-zone and dry patches around the cheeks and chin. 

Causes of Combination skin:

• Puberty, menopause or other hormonal imbalances
• Stress
• Heat or too much humidity
• Genetics
• Medication
• Comedogenic makeup or skincare

The Advantages of Having Combination Skin

• Your visible symptoms aren’t as drastic as either dry or oily skin and often more manageable.

The Disadvantages of Having Combination Skin

• Choosing the right skin care routine can be tricky especially in the T-Zone
• Combination skin often suffers from larger pores which increases the chances of blemishes or spots developing

Care of Combination Skin:

• Regular cleansing, toning and moisturising of the oily areas.
• Use of a milder cleanser and richer moisturiser for the dry areas.
• A balancing toner
• Exfoliate gently twice a week
• You may need different care in different areas.

Sensitive Skin:

Sensitive Skin Analysis:

This skin type is becoming more common and people are finding their skin is suffering from sensitivity or becoming allergic to products that come in contact with their skin or food they eat.

The skin’s barrier brakes down, making it easy for microorganisms and irritants to enter, and the possibility of having an infection or allergic reactions. It can range from dry to oily skin and can be easily irritated by cosmetics, skincare products or food we eat. 

Sensitive Skin Characteristics:

• The skin often has a thin epidermis with a translucent appearance
• Feels uncomfortable, dry, hot, tight or itchy
• It is prone to dry flaky patches and broken capillaries
• Can suffer from Redness, become inflamed or irritable
• It wrinkles prematurely

Causes of Sensitive skin:

• Puberty, menopause or other hormonal imbalances
• Stress or nervousness
• Heat or too much humidity
• Genetics
• Medication
• Sulphates, Parabens, Perfumes or colourants in cosmetics or skincare
• Processed foods

The Advantages of Having Sensitive Skin

• Sensitive skin is like your body’s warning system you know when something bad has touched your skin or you’ve eaten something bad
• You generally have a thin epidermis so your skin is super soft to touch

The Disadvantages of Having Sensitive Skin

• It can be difficult to figure out what is causing the irritation; whether it is topical or internal
• You have no control over how bad the reaction will be and stress or worry just makes it worse
• It makes trying new products a very risky business especially before a special occasion

Care of Sensitive Skin:

• Patch test and learn what to avoid.
• Avoid ingredients like sulphates and parabens.
• It needs mild, perfume free skincare products.
• Use an alcohol-free, balancing toner, formulated especially for sensitive skin.
• Use cleansers and moisturisers specially formulated for sensitive skin.
• Gentle exfoliator
• Don’t try too many new products at once as your skin may react badly and it will be harder to find the one causing the issue.

What type of skin do you have and what moisturiser do you find works well for you?

Please comment below I’d love to hear from you.

For your next steps take a look at our simple ‘Skincare Routines.’

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