Learn how to identify your skin type effortlessly with these three foolproof methods, ensuring a tailored skincare routine for a radiant and healthy complexion. So I’ve got a few solutions for figuring out your skin’s personality let’s get started.
1. Take the skin type day test
“The easiest means to determine your skin type is to see how it performs from morning to evening on a typical day,” says Melanie Palm, MD, a board certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon.
Reminder: Dehydrated skin is not a skin type but a separate condition. You can have dehydrated skin that’s also oily, a combination, or all of the above.
2. Try the wash test
A day-long test may not make sense if you shower midday after a quad-killing session of indoor cycling or if you’re exposed to irritants like wind, nasty weather, or raging sun on your evening commute. At any time, you can try this assessment and achieve similar results.
Wash your face with a mild cleanser and don’t apply any product or makeup. Wait 30 minutes and examine how your skin feels.
Try this test when your face feels relatively calm, meaning it’s not red hot after a run or stinging from a fruit-enzyme peel, or feeling tight after shoveling snow off the walk.
3. Get your picture taken
A dermatologist may have certain photographic methods for helping to evaluate your skin’s behavior further if necessary.
“Vascular filters can zero in on excess or unhealthy blood vessel distribution — indicating sensitive, irritated, or rosacea-prone skin,” Palm explains. “UV-like filters can demonstrate sun damage and pigmentation.”
Other methods can highlight subtle changes in skin texture or pore size or even indicate oil production.
YOUR SKIN TYPE CAN CHANGE OVER THE YEARS
Pregnancy, diet, location, and many other factors can change your skin type. The best way to gauge your skin is to know it! That means touching it (with clean hands) and really feeling out the temperature, texture, and buoyancy. A soft pinch test every now and then can also help you evaluate its hydration levels.
Once you understand your type, add products or care techniques to your arsenal that help you work with your skin’s unique characteristics.
Keep in mind that none of these behaviors are bad or need to be changed. Understanding your skin is all about giving it what it needs, not combating it.
Oily skin type composition, support, and treatments
We’ve all got natural oils, called sebum, on our skin. It comes from our pores’ sebaceous glands and it provides moisture. But we all produce oil in varying amounts and types.
Although oil protects our skin, it sometimes gets a bad rap. That’s because an excess of it can grip dead skin cells and create a blocked pore, leading to a blackhead or pimple. The other oft-lamented issue of oily skin is shine.
Glossy skin is so in right now. Just check out any makeup shelf and you’ll see all the products designed to achieve just that. But if shine bothers you, Palm recommends blotting with regular tissue paper. “You don’t have to pay for expensive blotting papers,” she says.
5 solutions for oily skin breakouts
Try a bentonite clay mask.
Use a seaweed- or saltwater-based toner.
Treat blemishes with a sulfur-based spot corrector.
Consider oil-based skin care and avoid drying products.
Check for dehydrated skin, which can increase oil production and clogged pores.
If you’re managing blemishes with acne-fighting products that have a drying effect, you’ll crave a moisturizer. Never be afraid of using moisture to combat flakiness and keep your skin smooth and soft.
“Oily skin is best served with moisturizers with oil-free occlusives, like dimethicone,” says Fayne Frey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with expertise in skin care product ingredients and formulation.
If you think the overproduction of oil is causing skin issues, Palm recommends talking with a dermatologist about the possibility of taking oral medications or using topical applications that might help keep oil production in check.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), also suggests washing your face in the morning, the evening, and after exercise. They recommend that you avoid scrubbing, as it can irritate the skin.
Dry skin type support and treatment
Just as some folks produce a little extra sebum, others have an underproduction of it, leaving them with dry skin.
Age can also affect your skin’s moisture level. According to the AAD, most adults 40 and older begin to notice increasing dryness in their skin. This has to do with the skin’s sebum production, which begins to decrease around this time.
The Association also says that environmental factors such as low temperatures can also impact your skin’s moisture level. This means you may need to apply moisturizer more often to reduce dryness during the colder seasons. Having a vitamin or mineral deficiency or a skin condition can also contribute to dry skin.
“Look for moisturizers with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or free fatty acids,” Palm says. You’ll also want to make sure you layer on your serums and moisturizers from thinnest to thickest, allowing for maximum product penetration.
5 solutions for dry skin type
Use no-rinse cleansing creams or oils.
Invest in a humidifier.
Avoid excessively hot water while bathing or showering and protect your skin in cold weather.
Use a gentle cleanser and fragrance-free products, when possible.
Try an overnight hydration product or sheet mask.
Exfoliation can sometimes help with flaking, but be wary of over-exfoliating, especially with acids that claim to soften the skin. Even if your skin loves exfoliation, keep the process to one to two times a week instead of every day.
Cover photo credit Pexels
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