What Skin Type Are You?
There are four general types of skin you can be categorized into but do you really know what type of skin you have? This may seem like an easy question to answer but as a newer esthetician in this world, I have learned that many people actually do not fully know their skin as well as they think.
When we do not have a clear understanding of our skin, it makes it hard to treat it correctly and purchase the products that will give us the result we are looking for. I am going to be breaking down the four categories that you can fall into and hopefully, it can help you determine what type of skin you have and how to effectively care for it!
First, it is important to understand what a skin type is. A skin type is a classification that describes a person’s genetic skin attributes. You can only be categorized as one skin type, and for the most part, that type will stick with us throughout life minus the expected changes that develop with age. The four types are normal, oily, dry, and combination.
Normal Skin
In a perfect world, this is the ideal skin type but not many of us fall into this category. Those with a normal skin type are neither too oily nor too dry. They have a perfect balance between the two which also results in a pore size that is barely visible. In addition, your skin typically does not have many blemishes or imperfections and displays a radiant complexion. It has a great texture and elasticity to it and will most likely be soft to the touch.
Treating Normal Skin:
Since there are no major issues or concerns with normal skin, the key for this one is maintenance and preventative treatments. Starting as early as you can, double cleanse with either micellar water, foaming cleanser, or a gentle cleanser. Exfoliation 1-2x a week is ideal, as well as a light moisturizer and finish with an SPF30+. For more mature skin (30 and up), you can even start incorporating some anti-aging products and/or Vitamin A.
Oily Skin
If you tend to always have a shiny or greasy appearance on your face, you most likely have an oily skin type. Those with an oily skin type have a high oil production which probably leaves you blotting your face all day. Because of this extra sebum (aka oil) production, pores are much larger and have the tendency to get clogged, leaving you with comedones (blackheads & whiteheads) and blemishes. The oil may also cause a buildup of dead skin cells which results in a rough and uneven skin texture. In addition, those that are prone to acne generally fall within the oily skin type.
Treating Oily Skin:
The main goal of oily skin is to balance the production of oil. Regular cleansing is important and using a cleanser that contains either charcoal or salicylic acid will be key, as it is a BHA and is a magnet to oil. If acne is an issue for you, spot-treating the problem areas with benzol peroxide can help dry out the sebum and begin the healing process. Exfoliation 3x a week is ideal to help eliminate dead skin cells that could potentially clog your pores and lead to more acne. Adding a clay or charcoal mask 1-2x a week can also be beneficial in reducing excess oil buildup. Lastly, use a water-based gel moisturizer and finish with an SPF30+.
Dry Skin
On the contrary, there is the dry skin type. When you think dry, you may associate it with a lack of water but it actually means the body is not producing enough oil. However, lacking water (or dehydrated skin) tends to coexist with dry skin as well. If your skin tends to look dull, gets flakey, and/or feels tight when you wake up or throughout the day, you most likely fall into this category. Pores are very difficult to see and skin tends to feel rough and thin. The appearance of dry skin is usually easier to see as it looks like a bunch of lines. Without proper treatment for this skin type, you are more prone to developing early onset of fine lines and wrinkles.
Treating dry skin:
When treating dry skin, think of the tin man from The Wizard of Oz — it needs oil! Oil-based products are going to help provide protection of the acid mantle and increase the barrier function (the outer part of your skin). Creams are going to be your friend when it comes to cleansers and moisturizers, as they are full of oils! Exfoliation 1x a week is enough to be effective for dry skin without irritating it or causing more drying. Also, dry skin often has compromised TEWL (water loss). Adding a hyaluronic acid serum will deeply help hydrate the skin. Lastly, aging skin starting in the 40’s+ tends to become drier so utilizing a routine like this will become more relevant, as well as incorporating Vitamin A products. And of course, don’t forget your SPF30+!
Combination Skin
There may have been two types of skin that sounded like yours, in which case makes you a combination skin type! This is actually the most common type for many men and women and what I typically am treating in the treatment room. I myself have a combination skin type where I am oily in the T-zone but dry on the outer areas of my face. The T-zone is made up of your forehead, nose, and chin. If you are this skin type, you will see that the pores in your T-zone are enlarged but then get smaller as you move toward the sides of your face. Another type of combination is normal to dry, which most normal skin types will eventually shift towards a dry one as they age because it becomes harder to retain moisture.
Treating combination skin:
Cleansing and regular gentle exfoliation are how you want to treat combination skin. Water-based products (like gels, or cream-to-foam cleansers) will help provide hydration without adding extra oil to the skin. They also will not be stripping to the face so you can retain your hydration. You can also utilize AHA’s like lactic acid to provide a thorough yet gentle exfoliation as well as hydration. Depending on what your combo is, use any of the ingredients from the above skin types that fall within your skin type – like salicylic acid, clay, or charcoal. Finishing with a water-based moisturizer and SPF30+, your basic routine is set!
Skin Conditions
There tends to be a “fifth skin type” that gets thrown around but in fact, it is actually a skin condition. And that is sensitive skin. Skin conditions are different than skin types — they are what we acquire from external and internal factors. You can have sensitive skin with any skin type mentioned above, and the sensitivity may vary from person to person.
Depending on the sensitivity, if a professional is able to pinpoint what could be the root of it, there’s a chance it can be corrected. For example, an individual’s skin microbiome may be disrupted and likely is the reason for the redness/inflammation/dryness/ itchiness, etc. Once a professional is able to help build back the microbiome, that individual’s skin may no longer feel sensitive.
Other examples of common skin conditions that I tend to see in the treatment room are rosacea, acne, eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Some of these are genetic based while others are attributed to diet, pollution, UV rays, lifestyle, overuse of certain skin care products, etc. Keep in mind, if you do have any of these conditions, you may have to tailor the active ingredients for your skin type a bit differently so they don’t irritate your skin. In this case, reach out to a professional to help you learn what’s best suited for your skin and together you can make a treatment plan!
All Bubbles, No Troubles…
~Pups & Prosecco~