The skin, or the epidermis, is the body’s largest organ, and it is made up of many different layers. The epidermis contains varying types of cells, oil glands and hair follicles that all work together to create a person’s complexion. Using the right skin care products can help to improve the look and feel of the skin. On the other hand, the wrong personal care products may irritate skin, make it look worse, or break it out in a rash.
There are five main categories of skin types: normal, oily, dry, combination and sensitive. While all the types share some similarities, each kind features specific characteristics that require focused attention.
Normal Skin Type
A normal and healthy complexion does not have a heavy, oily feel or an increased shine. There are regular-sized pores that do not stand out and few issues with dryness and cracked skin. Blemishes and irritations are few, and the body’s surface exhibits an overall even tone.
The normal type still needs proper maintenance to preserve the youthful and healthy look, however. It is important to remember that a person’s skin changes throughout the month due to hormonal changes. It also fluctuates through the summer months with increased sun exposure, and life events like pregnancy and menopause all can drastically alter a healthy complexion.
Caring for Normal Skin Type
One of the best ways to keep healthy skin is through proper nutrition and supplementation. Try a hair, skin & nails formula for an all-around boost. Find one that provides nutrients to support collagen production, which is a key factor in growing healthy cells. Ensure you are also getting vitamin C in your diet, which is an important nutrient for the health and appearance of skin.
Oily Skin
Oily skin, which causes a greasy feeling and extra shine, is a common issue that many teens and adults face. Another clue that someone has oily skin is multiple breakouts of acne-like conditions. Oily skin is often caused by a genetic predisposition. Other causes can be hormonal or a poor diet, specifically one full of sugars and simple carbohydrates.
With oily skin, oil glands produce an excessive amount of sebum, the oil-like liquid that gradually flows from the inside of the epidermis to the outside, where it moisturizes the area to keep it soft and hydrated.
Hormones, such as androgens, can increase the amount of sebum that is produced. During times of excessive production, the pores can get clogged easily with the extra sebum, causing blackheads, whiteheads and pustules to form. This can make the pores appear larger or more visible than usual because they are expanding to move the sebum upwards.
Caring for the Oily Skin Type
While removing and killing off the oil with harsh drying products, such as those that contain benzoyl peroxide, may seem like the best way to care for oily skin, it is not. In these situations, the body may fight even harder to produce more oil in order to balance the drying products.
The proper way to care for oily skin is to keep the oil flowing smoothly through the many layers. Gentle exfoliation is vital because it removes old skin cells that may get trapped and cause breakouts. Remember, the cleaning process should be soft and tender. Do not use harsh loofahs or sharp scrubs as this will only make the face red and painful.
Individuals who are struggling with heavy breakouts should consider what they are eating in addition to their facial cleaning regime. Avoiding foods that are high in fats, starches and sugars, such as pizza, hamburgers, fries, ice cream, candy and fried foods. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water every day to hydrate the face and help wash away impurities internally is also very helpful.
Product Suggestions for Oily Types
A gentle cleanser is recommended for those who have oily skin and congested pores. Find one that is paraben and fragrance-free to avoid harsh additives.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is often characterized by flaking, ashiness, and redness. It may feel unnaturally tight, and wrinkles may be more noticeable. This kind of complexion can age faster than other types.
Dry skin is the opposite of oily. The sebum at the lower epidermis layer is not produced in the right quantities. Even though it may feel like there is a lack of water, putting water on the skin will actually dry it out even more. This type of dermis needs proper moisturizing to rehydrate the dry cells.
Cleaning dry skin is very important. The dead, flaky cells need to be gently exfoliated away, so the living skin cells can receive to moisturize they need. An excellent gentle cleanser made for normal to dry skin is helpful because it can balance the moisture in the skin.
Combination Skin
Oily and dry, normal and sensitive, oily and normal: All of these combinations (and many more) are possible because people are not exactly the same everywhere. Most individuals have combination skin, with different areas being affected by different problems. The chin, nose and forehead tend to be oilier because they have more active oil glands, whereas the cheeks can become dry and flaky.
Focus on Natural Nutrients
Combination skin sufferers cannot use harsh chemicals and also should avoid products that contain a lot of benzoyl peroxide. Natural ingredients are easily recognizable, such as vitamins and fruits, and are resourced in sustainable ways.
Use Two Moisturizing Products
Once the face has been cleaned thoroughly, apply two different moisturizers to problematic areas. For the region that is sensitive, use a light almond oil to nourish the complexion and balance the moisture levels. Try to find one free of parabens and phthalates, which can clog pores.
The oily area of the skin requires its own product, and a good one to use is a lotion or moisturizer with tea tree. This type of gentle moisturize can hydrate without excessive oiliness, which may produce a clearer complexion.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin can comprise dry, combination or oily skin, but it features increased redness and irritations. People may be allergic to multiple ingredients in the beauty products that they use that cause the irritations, or they may have conditions like eczema or rosacea. It is crucial that these individuals only choose products that are free of dyes, perfumes, additives and harsh chemicals.
Dermatologists use a classification scale to help people with sensitive issues identify which type of treatments to use. Scientific studies show that this skin type tends to burn more easily, and varying degrees of pigmentation can correlate with increased breakouts.
Signs of Redness, Irritations and Breakouts:
When dealing with the redness and irritations of the sensitive areas, it may be helpful to use a facial sponge for sensitive skin.
Moisturizing sensitive skin is just as important as hydrating the oily or dry kind. Find a fragrance-free product that is gentle enough to be used on the face and neck and can even be used multiple times a day.
The Final Word on All Skin Types
When considering which skin care products to use, it is essential for people to identify the type of skin they have. Using the right products and omitting harsh chemicals can help to achieve healthy, beautiful skin.