We all want to love the skin that we’re in, and in order to truly love it, you have to understand what skin type you are! One of the biggest mistakes made is assuming you’re one skin type and you’re actually not. On the bright side, although your skin is hereditary, it is possible to re-balance your skin using the proper skin care. To give you a helping hand, we’ve broken down each skin type and described them in depth for you to be able to properly self-diagnose!
Oily Skin
What does it look like?
Oily skin will produce a larger amount of sebum, which is a natural oil that your body produces to keep your skin feeling soft and supple. The shine on your face will increase midday and the oil will affect the makeup on your face. You will be prone to acne like whiteheads and blackheads. The oil on your face can also increase due to hormones like your period or pregnancy.
Why is it oily?
If there is an over production of sebum sitting on your face, this can result in blocked pores leading to an overall greasy appearance. Since there is an over production of sebum, that means your pores are larger and can cause the follicles to expand.
Acne-prone Skin
What does it look like?
If you have acne, your skin will be extremely oily with a large amount of whiteheads and blackheads, including pimples, papules and pustules. The main issue for the over production of oil is the blockage of hair follicles, and there is too much sebum (oil) on the face along with dead skin cells.
Combination Skin
What does it look like?
Combination skin consists of two opposite skin types, which are dry and oily. Your oiliest areas will be the forehead and nose area (T-zone) – having the largest pores. Your cheeks and other areas of the face will be the driest, with the smallest pores, meaning this area will be the flakiest.
Tip: It helps to use different products to target the different areas of your skin. Using a clay mask in your T-Zone area can improve the amount of oil being produced, but make sure you avoid thick creams in that area as it will increase the oiliness.
Normal Skin
Normal skin consists of having a balanced amount of sebum, moisture and keratin, which means your skin will be smooth and glowing with a youthful appearance. If you don’t notice any pores, flakes or oily patches, you are one of the lucky ones!
Dry Skin
What does it look like?
Dry skin usually looks dull, particularly around the eyes, accentuating wrinkles and fine lines. Though you will have virtually invisible pores, your skin will feel tight and rough – making you more likely to have eczema or dermatitis.
Why is it dry?
Dry skin is caused by lack of moisture, which makes your pores less evident as there is a lack of sebum. The lack of moisture affects the natural elasticity which is the reason why your skin feels tight.
Aging Skin
What does it look like?
For the most part, aging skin will look dry, translucent and pale as the top layer of the epidermis is thinning. The skin can often appear more saggy, especially around the eyes and neck area due to the lack of moisture and elasticity – the body cannot produce enough of on its own. Aging skin is also prone to having spots of dark pigmentation due to accumulated sun damage or bad health.
Testing your skin
Wash your face thoroughly with lukewarm water, give it a good cleanse and then pat dry with a towel. Let your fresh skin sit for about 30-40 minutes, then get in front of a mirror and take a good look. Check to see if your pores are visible or not, if you have any spots or whiteheads. Assess your skin with the categories written above. Repeating this test every 6 months will be very beneficial as your skin is always changing!
