The Ultimate Guide To Different Skin Types
The foundation of any working skincare routine is knowing your skin type. Your skin type determines what products you should or shouldn't be using.
In this post:
How to determine your skin type
The various skin type
HOW TO DETERMINE SKIN TYPE
Skin type is determined by how much sebum is produced by a person's skin. Sebum is an oily substance produced by the body sebaceous gland. Sebum coats, moisturizes and protects the skin. After carrying out the test, compare the characteristics of the various skin types to determine your skin type.
- THE WASH TEST
Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry. Do not apply any products or makeup. Wait for 30 minutes and examine how your face feels. Now check if it matches the characteristics of any of the skin types.
- THE BLOTTING SHEET TEST
After washing and drying your face, you can use a blotting sheet to determine your skin type. Typically, a blotting sheet when pressed on your face absorbs oil. Press the blotting sheets on various parts of your face, including T-zones, cheeks and so on then hold it to the light to see the oil markings which would help in identifying your skin type.
- LOOK IN THE MIRROR
Notice if your face is shiny or if there are flaky patches all over. Does it wrinkle easily after cleansing? Check your pores, are they visible or not?
THE VARIOUS SKIN TYPES
Normal
Scientifically known as Eucerin, refers to a well-balanced skin that is neither too oily or dry. It has an overall sebum and moisture balance. Characteristics of a normal skin type includes: fine pores, smooth texture, absence of blemishes and no severe sensitivity.
DRY
The medical term for dry skin is Xerosis, which refers to a skin that produces less sebum than normal, thus losing its ability to retain moisture. It is caused by lack of epidermal lipid and is characterized by dullness, barely visible pores, itchiness, lacks elasticity, feels tight and rough, chapping and prone to cracking.
OILY
Medically referred to as seborrhea. Oily skin, just as it sounds, is when your skin appears oily and greasy. This is due to overproduction of sebum, an oily waxy substance that protects and hydrates the skin. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous gland, which is usually oversized in oily skin type. Oily skin type is characterized by enlarged pores, shiny and thicker complexion, prone to acne breakouts.
COMBINATION
This refers to different skin types on a face. Your skin might be dry or normal in one area and oily in others, such as the T-zone. This skin type has the characteristic of the skin type present in its equation.
Now that you know your skin type, creating a skincare routine that works just for you wouldn't be such a strenuous task, anymore.
