‘Skin type’ is the word that is very, very common in the skincare world yet many people struggle to understand what exactly is a skin type and why does it matters what kind of skin a person has? Moreover, how to know your skin type is a big question that has a simple answer but it is hard to find. Skin type is a fairly simple concept and it is easy to determine once you know exactly how to do that. But before venturing down the path of skin examination, here’s what you need to know about your skin first.
1) Skin type is often genetic, it is the inherent behavior of your skin.
2) Skin type can, however, change at any point in life due to environmental exposure or other factors.
3) Minor change in the behavior of skin for some time period is not necessarily your skin type, it can be a skin condition that should be treated.
Skin type is the most important factor when it comes to skin care!
Why is it important to determine the skin type?
One legit question that a person might have is why is it important to determine the skin type a person has? Simply put, if the diagnosis of anything is correct, the prognosis is likely good. If the diagnosis is incorrect, the treatment can make the condition worse. Likewise when it comes to skin, if the diagnosis of skin type is correct, you can actually choose products and ingredients that are suitable for your skin type, thereby helping your skin. For instance, if a person’s skin is oily and they use products that are rich in texture and are comedogenic, they’re not helping their skin but they’re making their oily skin condition, worse. No matter how good those ingredients or products are. Therefore it is important to know your correct skin type.
How to check your skin type?
Now that we have established how important it is to determine the skin type, it brings us to the context of this article! So, how do we know if we have oily skin, dry skin, or something that is called a combination skin? I have got a very simple but foolproof technique for you for this assessment! Simply wash your face and don’t apply any product on your skin afterward for an hour and notice the behavior of your skin. The characteristics of each skin type for easy identification are written below!
Skin types:
Normal Skin
If you’re someone who doesn’t have any oil or dry patches on your skin without the application of any product, congratulations. You’re the chosen one and God’s favorite since you get the best type of skin. You are free to use any kind of product however, we would suggest using mild ingredients so your skin remains the same!
Oily Skin
If you notice oil on your skin all over even without the application of any product, your skin is likely oily. Oily skin is more prone to acne and the skin may feel greasy but sebum actually enhances the elasticity of the skin and make it less susceptible to aging. So, oily skin comes with its baggage but the presence of fine lines and wrinkles are reduced and the skin appears young for a longer period. In the summer season when the weather is hot and humid and even the most lightweight products can feel tacky and sticky on the skin because of the sebum. Moreover, the oil clogs the pores and can cause acne on the skin (face and body both) which is an issue many people seek avoidance from. The best ingredients for oil control are alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids are primarily used to treat acne. Jenpharm has a dedicated MandelAC range based on a very effective AHA; mandelic acid. If you have got oily skin, this range is the best for you!
Dry Skin
As opposed to oily skin, if your skin feels dry or parched without the application of any product, your skin is likely dry. Dry skin is characterized by the presence of dry, flaky patches on your skin. The skin will feel tight and irritated. Dry skin people suffer from the extreme lack of sebum on their face, which gives their skin a cracked look that can be uncomfortable to the point of pain. It is of utmost importance for dry skin people to keep their skin moisturized and hydrated. Emollients such as glycerin, soft wax, etc are important to provide the much-needed oil on the skin for elasticity. It is important to note that dry skin is not necessarily dehydrated skin as these two concepts are different. Dry skin is a skin type whereas dehydrated skin is a skin condition that lasts for a little while. It can be difficult to distinguish the two but they’re not the same. Dehydrated skin needs some powerful humectants such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides to retain the water in the skin. If your skin stays dry throughout the year, your skin is dry, not dehydrated.
Combination Skin
One of the most common skin types is combination skin. This skin type has a combination of oily and dry skin. If you experience oil and dry patches both on your skin, your skin is a combination. Combination skin can have an oily T zone and dry U zone or an oily U zone and dry T zone. The ingredients in the skincare products viz a viz this skin type should be mild so they don’t aggravate either condition of the skin. If you have this skin type, you’ll need to change your skincare routine as per the weather conditions (different in summer and winters).
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is not a skin type per se, but it is something many people struggle with. If your skin shows the symptoms of sensitivity on the application of any product, even the milder ones, your skin is likely sensitive. Sensitivity can be characterized by redness, irritation, breakouts on the face, and rashes. People with sensitive skin need to conduct a patch test before the application of any product so their skin isn’t affected. Moreover, it is recommended to stay away from the fragrance as fragrance can irritate the skin.
