The most important step to effective skin care sadly also happens to be the one that most people forget to take - Identifying what their skin type is! Understanding this key detail helps you choose the right formulations for your face and avoid the risk of breakouts or irritation.
In total, there are 5 primary skin types - normal, dry, oily, sensitive, and combination:
- Normal skin is well-balanced and smooth
- Dry skin lacks moisture and can be flaky
- Oily skin is shiny, with visibly large pores
- Combination skin has an oily t-zone, but dry/normal cheeks
- Sensitive skin is reactive and prone to redness
As such, each type requires a different approach for the selection of products, the blend of ingredients, and even usage frequency… Want to identify your skin type? Conduct this simple test at home:
First, start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser. Next, pat it with a clean, dry cloth. After about 20 to 25 minutes, observe how it feels upon touching:
Normal: Appears balanced and even - the ideal type
Dry: Tight, slightly rough, and visibly flaky
Oily: A shiny, gloss-like layer can be seen
Combination: The T-zone is shiny, but the cheeks remain dry
Sensitive: Feels irritated and is noticeably red
Just like the weather, your skin type can react to a variety of factors and change from time to time; these include age, hormones, stress levels, diet, and sleep cycle. Once you know your type, you can fine-tune your skincare approach and get the results you desire!
