Do you know you should know your Skin type before you buy any skincare product?

Skin type! What is it?  Why should I know my skin type?

It was me when I came across the term “skin type”. Then I  came to know ‘the first step towards taking care of our skin starts with knowing our skin type.

Well, in this article I am going to talk about

• Why do you need to know your skin type?

• How many skin types do exist?

• Difference between Skin Type & Skin Concern

• How to find your skin type at home?

So let’s begin together…

Why do you need to know your skin type?

Your skin is as unique as you are. What works for your friend may not work on your skin. Have you ever noticed that?

Because you both have different skin types. Your skin needs are different and your friend’s skin needs are different. That is why your skin may not give you the same results as your friend got.

So knowing your skin type is extremely important to choose the right skincare products

Now let’s dive into understanding the basic skin types

How Many Types Of Skin Exists?

Skin types are generally classified into 5 types

• Dry skin type
• Oily skin type
• Normal skin type
• Combination skin type

Let’s understand about each skin type

Dry Skin Type:

The medical term for dry skin type is ‘xerosis’.

Your skin feels stretchy, dry with rough texture irrespective of the season. People with dry skin have less pore size, so there is lesser oil production. Due to this, the skin appears feels & looks flaky.

If a proper skincare regime is not followed, dry skin types are more prone to ageing faster. You should start antiageing skincare sooner than other skin types.

If you are with dry skin, the best advice for you is to stop using SOAP, instead go for cream-based cleansers. Bar soaps can draw necessary oils from the skin, making the skin more prone to dryness.

Oily Skin Type:

You should thank your skin if you have oily skin. Yes, people with oily skin tend to show ageing signs slower than other skin types.

Your skin produces more oil (sebum) than required which means you have over-active sebaceous glands. The skin of oily skin type has greasy texture & looks shiny. Your pore size is large and visible. Your skin is more prone to blackheads, acne & blemishes.

You should opt for products that are non-comedogenic (that won’t clog the pores)

Combination Skin Type:

Before discussing on combination skin let me tell you

What is “T-Zone”?  

T-zone is the part of your face that has most oil-secreting glands. It includes your forehead, nose & chin.

If you have combination skin type, you will notice more oil secretion on your T-zone & the cheek area remains normal to dry.

Your skin may suffer from acne and dryness at the same time. So you have to choose the products that are specially formulated for combination skin.

Normal Skin Type:

Normal skin type also called as ‘well-balanced skin type‘. This skin type is neither oily nor dry. Your skin produces enough oil and moisture.

If you have the normal skin type, you are blessed with even skin tone, blemish-free skin. Your skin appears smooth and soft to touch.

Though you have a normal skin type, it doesn’t mean you don’t need to care for your skin. You should follow a basic skincare routine to maintain your skin health.

So these are the 4 basic skin types we all have

But people always confuse skin type with skin concern

Shall we know a little more about

Skin Type Vs Skin Concern / Skin Condition

Remember your skin type is predetermined by your genes but your skin condition is determined by the various internal and external factors.

External factors include:

• Air pollution
• Seasonal changes
• Using wrong skincare products
• Uv exposure

Internal factors include:

• Hormonal changes
• Your diet
• Stress levels
• Natural ageing process

The most common skin concerns are

1. Dehydrated skin
2. Sensitive skin
3. Hyperpigmentation
4. Blemished skin
5. Acne-prone skin
6. Wrinkled skin

So you need to choose skincare products that match with your skin type to treat the skin condition

How To Know My Skin Type At Home?

The method which I’m going to share here is blotting sheet skin type test

You will need a blotting paper or to check your skin type. A blotting paper is nothing but an absorbent paper that absorbs excess liquid.

Step 1: Wash your face with a mild cleanser and leave it for an hour without applying any skin product

Step 2: After an hour gently pat the blotting paper on your face. Make sure you pat the paper on all the areas especially your T-zone

Step 3: Now hold the blotting paper up against the light and observe the amount of oil absorbed by the paper

If the blotting paper is fully absorbed the oil, then you have an oily skin type

If you observe oil absorption around your T-zone, then you have a combination skin type

If the paper has no oil at all, then you have a dry skin type

If the paper has every little oil then you can say you have the normal skin type

Also, observe your pore size by looking at your mirror.

Hope this article helped you to understand what is a skin type and how to find your skin type at home. If you have any questions let me know in the comment section below

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