So want to know how to find your skin type? Here is a basic guide for you!
Did you know your skin makes up 15% of your entire body weight? Therefore it’s important to know your skin type because not all commercial products can be tailored for your specific skin. Depending on your skin type, some ingredients might aggravate your skin, causing irritation, major breakouts, dryness and damage to your skin barrier.
It is fairly easy to identify your skin type, but you should always consult with a dermatologist before applying any active ingredients on your skin. If you don’t have access to a professional opinion you should always do a patch test before applying new products to avoid any complications.
DRY | OILY | NORMAL | COMBINATION
Here are the 4 main skin types:
- Dry Skin
- Oily Skin
- Normal Skin
- Combination Skin
Let’s dive deeper and explore each of these to determine your skin type.
DRY SKIN
Dry skin naturally produces less sebum than other skin types. It can be characterized by tight, itchy, flaky skin. It is more common to get dry skin around your legs, hands, arms as well as some areas of your face. This often happens through genetics, diseases or when your skin is exposed to harsh elements.
Here are the characteristics related to dry skin:
- Dull complexion
- Less skin elasticity
- Uneven texture
- Cracked skin
- Red irritated skin
What causes dry skin?
- Genetics
- Skin diseases (Eczema)
- Excessive sun exposure
- Using harsh alkaline cleaning products (Soaps)
- Inappropriate use of skincare products
- Showering with hot water
OILY SKIN
Oily skin naturally produces more sebum than other skin types. It is determined by genetics, hormonal changes and sometimes external factors like climate, pollution and diet. Oily skin is more susceptible to acne breakouts and hyperpigmentation.
Here are the characteristics related to oily skin:
- Shiny complexion
- Enlarged pores
- Prone to breakouts
What causes oily skin?
- Genetics
- Hormones/Puberty
- Pollution
- Stress and Anxiety
- Excessive humidity/heat in warmer climates
NORMAL SKIN
Normal skin produces a well balanced amount of sebum. This is the rarest skin type of them all and can be identified by a smooth skin texture, as well as little to no imperfections. It is common to find this skin type on younger children that haven’t gone through puberty yet.
Here are the characteristics related to normal skin:
- Glowing complexion
- Little to no imperfections
- Low sensitivity to active ingredients
- Barely visible pores
COMBINATION SKIN
And finally, combination skin is a mixture of both oily and dry skin. This is the most common skin type with a combination an oily T-Zone with normal/dry cheeks.
Here are the characteristics related to combination skin
- Oily T-Zone
- Dry / Sensitive cheeks
- Prone to breakouts on T-Zone (Forehead, Nose and Chin)
- Enlarged pores
What causes combination skin?
- Genetics
- Colder climates
- Inappropriate use of skincare products
Now that you know about the 4 different skin types, check out this 5 minute quiz to help you determine yours!
Were you surprised by your results?
Be sure to share this post with friends so you can compare results! And as always, comment below or send us a message on Instagram if you have any follow-up questions or want more detailed tips and tricks for your specific skin type. We love chatting with you!
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