How to know your skin type?
Skin is said to be our largest organ and its basic function is to protect our body from the external environment. If you want to look like fine wine, you need work upon your skincare. And for that, first step is to know your skin type. Sometimes its easy to determine your skin but there are times when its confusing. If you use wrong product, it can affect your skin badly. So to prevent your skin from any reactions and side effects you need to know which product will suit you best. So let’s first learn about your skin type. So bear with me and read it till the end to know how to take care of your skin.
1. Oily Skin:
You can easily identify oily skin by simply its appearance. It appears to be shiny, has enlarged pores and blackheads can be seen in this type of skin. Because of excess sebum, this type of skin gets greasy and is more prone to pimples and blemishes. Sometimes it feels smooth but is acne prone at any age.
2. Dry Skin:
This type of skin is a bit on rough side and has less elasticity. It can appear to be dull, may crack and peel on some parts. Because of less natural sebum, they may get pre-mature wrinkles. There may be more visible fine lines and if it’s very dry, it might become flaky.
3. Combination Skin:
It is a mixture of both dry and oily skin. Some parts of skin is oily while some is dry. It can have large pores, blackheads like oily and can also feel dry and flaky. Most people get oil only in the T-Zone area i.e. our forehead, nose and chin while the cheeks remain dry. Some people have dry T-Zone but oily cheeks. Both are combination skin and can be acne prone. When there is combination of normal skin with oily T-Zone, its Normal to Oily and when there is combination of normal skin with dry area, it’s Normal to Dry Skin. Now this may change with change in hormones, seasons and even stress.
4. Normal Skin:
It is neither dry or oily, there is no sensitivity and nor enlarged pores. This type of skin is free of any problems and has low maintenance. It has a smooth texture, and you can feel good elasticity.
5. Sensitive Skin
It is not particularly a type of skin but a condition that many have, so it’s important to take it into our criteria. This skin is what its name suggests, it can get red, itchy by any form of heat, fragrance, chemicals or change in environment.
Let’s learn how to check them:
1. Bare- Face Method:
Its very simple method in which you have to wash your face and wait for 15-20 minutes. If you feel your skin tightened, your skin type is dry. If not, wait for another 15 minutes and wipe it off with tissue paper, if you can see shiny or greasy substance, its oily. If not, its normal skin.
2. Blotting Paper Test:
Wash your face and pat with blotting paper then observe in bright light. Wherever it gets greasy, that area is oily. This method is best to know your exact combination skin.
What can cause your skin to change into another skin type?
1. Oily Skin:
It can be affected by hormones, climate, genes, excess exfoliation and harsh soaps.
2. Dry Skin:
It can be affected by genetics, season, long bath, lack of sebum and if skin gets deprived from necessary oil
3. Combination Skin:
I’ve heard a lot of people say that they used to have normal skin but now their T-Zone has become oily. Their skin received excess sebum causing it to become oily They need to change their products as soon as they get to know about the change. It may also be caused by climate, like in summers it gets more oily and in winter skin gets more dry.
How to take care of your skin?
1. Oily Skin:
For this type of skin use moisturizers which are light-weighted and oil-free so that it can control excess sebum. Do not let dust clog your pores and use non-comedogenic products and gentle cleansers. Don’t scrub when it’s sensitive, remove makeup before sleeping. Avoid touching your face to prevent breakouts. Drink enough water to keep skin moist and never forget to wash your face twice a day.
2. Dry Skin:
Moist your skin after bath and pat your skin gently. Don’t scrub when it’s sensitive and drink lots of water to keep skin hydrated. Do not forget to use sunscreen.
3. Combination Skin:
Use gentle cleansers, and do not scrub sensitive areas and exfoliate gently. Use oil free sunscreen. Have 2 separate routines for both oily and dry area, Oil free products for oily parts and dense moist products for dry area.
4. Normal Skin:
Keep your body hydrated and use sunscreen. Keep your face moisturized and protect it from overproducing sebum. Do not forget to remove makeup before sleeping.
Keep your body hydrated and use sunscreen. Keep your face moisturized and protect it from overproducing sebum. Do not forget to remove makeup before sleeping.
5. Sensitive Skin
Do not use products without test application. Try to keep hydrated, never use scrub and maintain hygiene. Always use gentle products and do not fully apply them on face without test application.