To ensure that you are using the best skincare routine to get the best results, it is important to understand what skin type you have. Your skin type can change over time, so you should also be aware that you will need to adapt your skincare to keep it in good condition.
As people get older, their skin will often get drier, or it may become more sensitive. How hydrated your skin is also has a large effect on your skin type, so drinking lots of water will help to combat dry skin.
These are the five types of skin:
Normal skin type has very few imperfections and barely visible pores. There is no severe sensitivity, and it is considered to be a radiant complexion. A skincare routine for normal skin types can be quite basic and usually does not require special skincare products.
Avoiding harsh cleansers and scrubs that can cause dryness will be an important factor in maintaining the youthful appearance of a normal skin type. Making use of anti-ageing products can be beneficial in delaying the onset of visible skin ageing, with products containing antioxidants, retinoids and peptides being particularly beneficial.
With combination skin type, you have a mix of dry or normal and oily. For example, the T-zone (nose, forehead and chin) is more likely to be oily, while the rest of the face is normal or even dry. People with combination skin are more likely to have blackheads and larger looking pores.
An important focus for maintaining combination skin is to focus on evening out and balancing the skin. Avoid the use of drying alcohols and harsh cleaners and instead make use of hydrators, such as hyaluronic acid and lactic acid. Other products that work well are amino acids, retinoids and clay masks for the T-zones.
People with dry skin often have red patches and a rough complexion. Pores are almost invisible and the lines on the face are more visible. You can get drier skin as you age, and the weather can dry your skin out too if you spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun, wind or cold temperatures.
You can try and prevent dry skin by avoiding hot showers or taking shorter ones. Certain soaps and cosmetics might also cause your skin to dry out and indoor heating can also contribute to the dryness.
The main focus would be to concentrate on rehydrating and restoring your skin’s barrier. Avoiding drying alcohol in products, strong acids, scrubs and harsh cleansers, is a must for someone with dry skin. Instead go for products that contain hyaluronic acid, amino acids and peptides that will hydrate the skin. Also, oils and moisturisers are essential for dry skin. C
When you have oily skin, you will have larger pores and usually a shiny complexion. Oily skin is typically prone to blemishes and blackheads and can flare up at points in your life, such as puberty or when you are going through a stressful time.
To try and improve oily skin, you should use cosmetics such as foaming cleanser, acids, niacinamide, retinol and also clay masks. These are great to hydrate the skin while reducing excess sebum production.
It is important to not overdo skincare for oily skin, especially exfoliation, as this will just make the problem worse.
With sensitive skin, you often have certain products or even foods that trigger the symptoms such as redness, itching and dryness. Understanding what triggers the sensitivity can help you to avoid them, so you could try keeping a diary of foods you eat and products that you use, to see if there is a pattern. Choosing products that are for sensitive skin will also help to reduce redness and itching.
Watch out particularly for products that contain strong acids like glycolic acid, any drying alcohols or products that are fragranced. These are some of the common causes of skin irritation for people with a sensitive skin type.
Making use of products that have a calming effect, such as fragrance-free moisturisers, oils and hyaluronic acid, can help to avoid irritation whilst providing the important benefits to the skin that these products provide.
If you are having any skin problems and would like to understand more about your skin type and how to reduce issues such as red, itchy skin or oily skin, an aesthetic clinician at SkinViva can provide you with a professional assessment and recommendations for treatments or products that will deliver the best results for your skin.
Our experts would be happy to advise on the best products to suit your requirements.
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