Do you know your skin type?

The right skincare starts with knowing what skin type you have and what exactly  do you need in order to keep your skin happy.

The right products will have  huge impact on the longevity of your make-up and how quickly your skin will age. Good news for all you oily skin types, since oily skin is proven to slow down the aging process, fine lines and wrinkles are kept at bay for longer.

When you know and understand your skin, you are given a superpower - let's expand on that.

There are 4 skin types to look at and each has it’s very own specifics - do take a note of what sounds familiar to you and see which ones you identify with:

NORMAL SKIN:

Your pores are invisible and you have very even skin texture. Your skin is balanced, elastic and you (almost) never have issues with pimples coming up. Normal skin requires both moisture and protection just like any other skin type. It doesn’t have any uncomfortable issues at all.

The ideal skincare products for this skin type are mild cleansers, moisturising twice a day, use regular exfoliation and a good serum. 

DRY SKIN:

The production of sebum is lower and there is a lack of moisture so the surface of the skin looks rough and dull. Your skin may feel tight, and you may see fine lines right after washing your face. Skin lacks elasticity and the skin barrier may become affected by sensitivity because it is vulnerable to external factors like environmental factors, genetics, aging and hormones, or simply using the wrong products.

The ideal skincare products for this skin type are rich and nourishing creams to help repair the skin's barrier and lock in moisture. Since dry skin can be itchy and sensitive you can also add soothing products to your routine. Exfoliating is also helpful since it will remove dead skin cells and allow your moisturiser to work properly.

OILY SKIN

This type of skin is prone to overproduction of sebum, it is always shiny and the pores are visible (along with blocked pores, pimples and blackheads). This is quite the opposite, oily skin needs gentle skincare with products that are designed to balance the skin's sebum production whilst moisturising it. It is caused by hormonal imbalances, using an incorrect mixture of skincare products or hereditary issues. Since people with this skin type have an increased rate of sebum production they often experience trouble with blocked pores. 

The ideal skincare products for this skin type are oil-free. A mild gel moisturiser is a good way to keep the skin hydrated without making it more oily. Exfoliants are also helpful because they work to decongest the skin and pores of excess sebum and dead cells.

COMBINATION SKIN

A mix of dry and oily at the same time, combination skin is the most common skin type. You will have an oily t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and dry skin on the rest of the face. You need different products for the different areas as well as products that focus on balancing the skin's overall behaviour. The ideal skin-care products for this skin type are balancing the oily areas as well as moisturise it where it's dry. 

Ideal skincare products: Mild cleansers are recommended because they will not dry out the drier areas of your skin. The next step would be an exfoliant serum that contains BHA Salicylic Acid, as this removes dry skin cells whilst also balancing the production of sebum. Then use a light moisturiser for your whole face as a great way to support your skin.

THINGS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

• Regardless of skin type, it is imperative that you use sun protection as your last layer of skincare and just before starting applying make-up. 

• It is super important to get to know your skin and use products your skin agrees with, don’t use things that bring any level of discomfort thinking they are supposed to do that if they really work. 

• If your skin is particularly sensitive, stay away from products with a strong smell as they are prone to irritating your skin further because they have a higher level of fragrance in which sometimes isn’t well tolerated.