Know Your Skin Type

Are you sensitive? Combination? Dry? Oily? Normal? No, this has nothing to do with your personality! Every person’s skin is different. The best way to know how to take good care of your skin is to first determine what skin type you have. If you are unsure about your skin type, a good test is to take a dry lens-cleaning paper and place it on different areas of your face, 15 minutes after washing and drying. IF you are a dry skin type, the paper will not stick on your face. Oily? The paper will stick to your face or absorb oil that you can see on the paper. If the paper adheres on your nose, forehead, chin but nowhere else- you have combination or normal skin type. Most people have some irregularities with their skin and should follow a good cleansing regimen.

Normal skin- you’re very lucky! A simple cleansing routine: use a soap-free cleanser twice a day. Cleanser should not contain harsh detergents, soap or alcohol that can dry out your skin or irritate it. Use a non-comedogenic/ dermatologist tested light moisturizer on the face while skin is damp. Use sunscreen daily. A moisturizing or exfoliating mask may be applied once a week.

Oily skin- sebum, the lipid-rich protective natural oil contained in your skin cells, is on high-activity for those with oily skin. Good news: naturally moisturized skin. Bad news: tendency for acne, large pores and shininess. Cleansing routing: use a cleanser with salicylic acid (which decreases sebum production) twice a day. May be followed up with alcohol-based toner containing salicylic acid. Alcohol-based toners dry the skin, so use carefully. Moisturizing is not normally necessary for oily skin, but if needed non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer is recommended. Use oil-free sunscreen daily. Optional clay/mud mask weekly.

NOTE: there are a plethora of strong vitamin A creams available for ultra-oily skin. These Retinoids require a prescription from your dermatologist.

Combination skin- get to know your T-Zone! The T-zone (forehead and nose area) is typically oily skin and the cheeks tend to be dry skin. This is combination skin. Cleansing routine: wash skin with mild cleanser two times a day. Soap-free, non-alcohol, free from harsh detergents cleanser is your best bet. Look for one containing salicylic acid for the oily areas. Use anti-dandruff shampoo if you are noticing a yeast buildup on your scalp or eyebrow areas that can cause itching or irritation. Anti-dandruff shampoos are most effective when used every other day until condition is under control, followed by twice-a-week applications. Apply oil-free moisturizer only to dry areas of the skin after cleansing. Use sunscreen daily! Mask recommendation: mix it up! Clay mask for oily areas and moisturizing for dry areas.

NOTE: combination skin can be a symptom of seborrhea, seborrheic eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. Overproduction of oil on the face and scalp leads to this type of skin condition. Check with your dermatologist for more information.

Dry skin- dry skin may add to premature aging, so don’t forget your moisturizer! Cleansing routine: wash your skin once or twice daily with a soap-free, moisturizing cleanser. Do not use toners/ cleansers with alcohol and stay away from soap and harsh detergents. Use a moisturizer that is non-greasy and noncomedogenic, may contain natural emollients for added moisture, including dimethicone and cyclomethicone or colloidal oatmeal. Once a week moisturizing mask is optional. Use sunscreen and drink a gallon of water a day! NOTE: be sensitive to the products you use in the shower or for washing your clothes- they may cause further drying of the skin.

Sensitive skin- if you have harsh, stinging or irritating reactions to moisturizers, soaps or other skin care products, you have sensitive skin. It is highly advisable that those with sensitive skin refrain from using any products with alcohol, acids, harsh detergents, fragrances, preservatives, colorings and make-up. Always look for hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic listed on a label when searching for beauty products. Cleansing routine: wash face twice daily with sensitive skin (alcohol-free, soap-free) cleanser. Apply hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, noncomedogenic moisturizer while damp. Use hypoallergenic, oil-free sunscreen daily!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com Eric_Hartwell