Understanding Skin Types

Skin type refers to the characteristics of your skin that determine how it behaves and reacts to various factors like weather, skincare products, and hormonal changes. Understanding your skin type is crucial for choosing the right skincare products and routines that will help maintain healthy and balanced skin.

Characteristics of Skin Types

Several key characteristics define skin types, including:

  • Amount of Natural Oil (Sebum) Production: This affects whether your skin feels oily or dry.
  • Level of Hydration: This determines how plump and elastic your skin appears.
  • Sensitivity to Environmental Influences and Skincare Products: This affects how your skin reacts to external factors like pollution and new skincare ingredients.

Main Skin Type Categories

Skin types are generally categorised into several main groups, each with its unique characteristics and skincare needs:

Oily Skin

  • Characteristics: Excessive sebum production, enlarged pores, and a shiny appearance.

  • Skincare Needs: Products that control oil and reduce shine, such as oil-free moisturisers and gentle exfoliants.

Dry Skin

  • Characteristics: Low sebum production, rough texture, and a tight feeling.
  • Skincare Needs: Rich, hydrating products that replenish moisture, such as creamy cleansers and thick moisturisers.

Combination Skin

  • Characteristics: A mix of oily and dry areas, commonly oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and dry on the cheeks

  • Skincare Needs: A balanced approach with products that target both dryness and oiliness, like lightweight moisturisers and targeted treatments.

Sensitive Skin

  • Characteristics: Easily irritated, prone to redness and reactions.

  • Skincare Needs: Gentle, hypoallergenic products free of fragrances and harsh chemicals.

Variability in Skin Types

It is often the case that skin can meet the criteria of several categories or change over time due to factors like age, climate, and lifestyle. For example, you may experience:

  • Dry and Sensitive Skin: Requires extra hydration and soothing ingredients.
  • Seasonal Changes: Skin that is drier in winter and oilier in summer.

Understanding your unique skin type and its changing needs over time can help you choose the most effective skincare regime. By doing so, you can ensure that your skin remains healthy, balanced, and radiant throughout the year.