Identifying your skin type is essential to build your skincare routine for better results. But how do you know your skin type?
In this post we will help you to identify your skin type but also recommend a routine so you can get the best out of it.
NORMAL SKIN
Considered as the perfect skin type, a normal skin is not too dry, not too oily and has no redness or blemishes. So if you have a normal skin, congratulations!But having a normal skin doesn't mean you should not take care of it or not follow a routine. Your skin still should be cleansed and moisturised on a daily basis.
Routine for a normal skin
CLEANSE
Use a gentle cleanser, like a gel or cream, twice a day, in the morning and at night.
TONER
Apply an alcohol-free toner for normal skin twice a day (morning and night).
SERUMUse an antioxidant serum for normal skin to retain moisture.
MOISTURISER
A normal skin should be moisturised every day. In the morning, apply a light face moisturiser for normal skin on your face and neck. If you face moisturiser combines sun protection, then it’s a winner, as it moisturises your skin while protecting it from free radicals and UV rays.
Exfoliate your skin once to twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells.
DRY SKIN
Having a dry skin means that it doesn't produce enough sebum compared to a normal skin. Your lipid barrier which is supposed to retain moisture and protects from external factors, is affected and does not play fully its role. As a consequent, your skin doesn’t retain moisture and feels dry.
A dry skin is usually thin with tight pores. The skin feels tight especially after cleansing because it lacks elasticity. Prone to flaking, redness and fine wrinkles, a dry skin reacts to environmental changes such as cold and warm temperatures or pollution.
It is recommended to use skincare products that will deeply nourish dry skin so it gets suppler and radiant.
Routine for a dry skin
CLEANSE
Use a gentle cleanser twice a day (morning and night). Look for a moisturising cleanser, like a creamy but not foaming cleanser as it will hydrate your skin while cleansing without stripping it of its natural oils.
TONER
Apply a toner with hydrating properties that also contains soothing ingredients to relieve itchiness or any redness. Avoid alcohol-based toner as it would dry your skin even more.
SERUM
Choose a serum for dry skin to deeply moisturise your skin.
MOISTURISER
We recommend a rich and nourishing moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
EXFOLIATION
Exfoliate once a week. Go for a chemical exfoliant or a gentle scrub.
OILY SKIN
An oily skin over-produces sebum and makes you look shiny throughout the day. The excess oil may be due to hormones, medication, stress or the use of comedogenic cosmetics (make-up or beauty products that cause irritation). It can clog pores leading to blackheads and whiteheads. This is why oily skin is prone to acne with blemishes that may appear after a breakout.
In terms of appearance, it usually looks dull with large and visible pores.
Oily skin needs light hydration and products to control the excess oil.
Routine for an oily skin
CLEANSEUse a gentle cleanser, like a gel, twice a day (morning and night or after exercising) to unclog pores. Avoid harsh cleanser because your skin will go into protection mode and produce more oil.
TONER
Apply a toner, like an exfoliating toner, to shrink pores.
SERUM
Choose a serum for oily skin that may target a specific problem like acne or hyperpigmentation.
MOISTURISER
Oily skin still needs daily hydration. It is better to use a light, water-based and oil-free moisturiser with mattifying properties to regulate excess sebum.
Exfoliate twice a week to remove dead skin cells and excess oil.
Clay face mask may be used twice a month to absorb excess sebum.
COMBINATION SKIN
It is the most common skin type and combines both oily and dry parts on the face. The T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) is oily where blackhead may appear, and the rest of the face is normal to dry, particularly the cheeks.
Routine for a combination skin
CLEANSE
Use a gentle cleanser, like a gel, twice a day (morning and night).
TONER
You may combine two types of toner: one for your oily parts on the T-Zone to control excess sebum; and one for your dry parts of your face to hydrate.
SERUM
Once a day, apply a serum that targets a specific problem (acne, pigmentation, dryness).
MOISTURISER
Twice a day, apply an light moisturiser over your face. You could also use a mattifying products on the T- zone.
EXFOLIATION
Exfoliate once to twice a week to remove dead skin cells and excess oil.
SENSITIVE SKIN
A sensitive skin gets easily irritated causing allergic reaction such as a rash.
Dry, oily, combination and normal skin can fall into the category of sensitive skin. Because a sensitive skin’s protective barrier is altered, it doesn’t fill its role and reacts to certain skincare ingredients like acids, essential oils or alcohol.
A sensitive skin does not show any particular sign compared to the other skin types. It is more like a feeling of discomfort, burning , redness or tingle.
If you have a sensitive skin, follow a simple routine in terms of cleansing and moisturising. When you find the products that work on your skin, it is better to stick to them.
Routine for a sensitive skin
CLEANSE
Use a gentle, fragrance -free and non foaming cleanser once a day.
Creamy cleansers are a great option.
TONER
If you want to use a toner, make sure to use an alcohol-free toner to avoid any irritation.
MOISTURISER
A sensitive skin will need a rich moisturiser made for that skin type.
EXFOLIATION
Even if your skin is sensitive, you should exfoliate once a week to remove dead skin cells.
Now that you know you skin type and the routine to follow, you can now get the best results out of your skincare products.