The first step to starting your skincare journey is determining and understanding your skin type and skin concerns. Knowing your skin type will help dictate what your skin needs and skincare products to purchase. Not knowing your skin type is like going to a battlefield with a sword without knowing your enemy is coming with guns and bombs. Here are four major skin types and a simple home method to check your skin type:-
Normal Skin
It is eudermic; that is, normal skin is well balanced. Normal skin has balanced moisture and sebum level production- it is neither too oily nor too dry. It has no blemishes and is not prone to breakouts. Normal skin has fine pores, and it tends to have a soft and smooth texture.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is a result of a lack of oils. It has no elasticity, so the skin feels tight and rough. It appears dull. Dryness is caused by a lack of natural moisturizing factors which promote moisture and a lack of epidermal lipids which retain moisture. Dry skin may experience possible itchiness.
Oily Skin
It is mainly caused by overproduction of sebum triggered genetic set-up, hormonal changes, medication, stress, dehydration, comedogenic (pore blocking) cosmetics, etc. High sebum production makes the skin prone to acne. The skin has a glossy shine. Oily skin also appears to have visibly enlarged pores.
Combination Skin
Combination skin is mainly a result of the overproduction of sebum on some parts of the face (t-zone) and the lack of moisture in other areas (cheeks). The t-zone tends to appear oily while the cheeks are dry. The skin also has enlarged/visible pores around the t-zone.
How To Check Your Skin Type At Home- The Bare-Faced Method
Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat dry. Do not follow up with any skincare product. Check at 30-minutes intervals. After 2 hours; if it’s not oily nor dry- normal skin, if it’s dry and tight- dry skin, if it’s shiny, oily, and pores are visible- oily skin, and if t-zone is oily but cheeks are dry- combination skin.
