What is My Skin Type?

You’ve probably seen skincare products that are designed for different types of skin, like ‘combination’ ‘oily’ and ‘sensitive’. But what do those terms mean? And how do you know what your skin type is?

What is My Skin Type?

Although our skin changes from day to day, month to month and over the course of our lives, it will often have a tendency to a particular skin type, depending on how much sebum it produces. Here are a few common skin types, how to recognise them and how to care for them.

Dryness-prone skin

This type of skin tends to feel dry easily during cold weather or when you feel dehydrated. Your skin may feel tight after cleansing, until you apply moisturiser. Skin can appear dry and lack softness and smoothness.

How to care for dryness-prone skin

· You may find you need to moisturise regularly using products with a rich, nourishing formula · Look for gentle cleansing and toning products to avoid drying your skin out further · In cold weather, you may want to add extra hydration to your skincare routine, for example by using a hydrating masque a couple of times a week

Oily skin

This type of skin produces plenty of natural oils (sebum). If you have oily skin, you may be prone to problems like blemishes, enlarged pores and congested skin, particularly around the forehead, nose and chin. Your skin may have a shiny appearance and visible pores.

How to care for oily skin

· Look for products that will cleanse your skin effectively, but not strip it of moisture. Oily skin can become dehydrated-looking if your cleansing routine is too harsh · If you’re prone to congestion and blocked pores, gentle exfoliation is important · Use a light-textured moisturiser that absorbs easily and is non-comedogenic (designed not to clog pores)

Combination skin

Skin with a combination of dry and oily areas is quite common. Usually, the oily skin is concentrated around the nose, chin and forehead, while the cheeks tend to be more dry, although this varies from person to person.

How to care for combination skin

For many people, the best approach is to use different products on different parts of the face · You might choose a hydrating masque but concentrate the application on your cheeks, or use an gentle exfoliating scrub only around the nose and chin · If you’re prone to blemishes, look for an targeted product that you can apply to the specific area · For products you apply on the whole face, for example a facial wash, look for formulas that are neither too harsh or too mild

Sensitive skin

Any type of skin can be sensitive at times. The signs of skin sensitivity vary from person to person, but if your skin is sensitive you may find it reacts poorly to certain makeup and skincare products. It might also change when the weather gets warmer or colder, and need different kinds of care at different times. Sensitive skin also tends to be prone to redness

How to care for sensitive skin

Always look for products that are formulated for sensitive skin. It’s also good if they are hypoallergenic. ·Notice how your skin reacts to different products and the environment where you live and work. This can help you adjust your routine or avoid any triggers. Look for products that have a soothing effect on the skin to help calm any discomfort.