Skin type uncovered
There are five basic skin types
Skin type is determined by genetics; normal skin, oily skin, dry skin, combination skin and sensitive skin. The condition of our skin can, however, vary greatly according to various internal and external factors.
How do I find out my skin type?
The Blotting Sheet Method
Take a sheet of blotting paper and gently pat it on your face. Hold it against a bright light. If you see little to no oil, you likely have dry skin. If the sheet picks up some oil from the T-zone, you have a combination or normal skin. If it picks up oil from all parts of your face, you probably have oily skin.
OR
The bare-faced method
Cleanse your skin with a mild cleanser and pat dry gently. Leave it bare (without applying any product) for half an hour and then check your cheeks, nose, forehead for any shine. After another half an hour, notice whether your skin looks parched on any facial movement or smile. If your skin feels tight, you are likely to have dry skin, while if it’s shiny on the nose and forehead, you have combination skin. If your cheeks, nose and forehead appear shiny, you have oily skin.
Normal skin is neither too oily nor too dry. It has balanced sebum production and good blood circulation.
How can you identify normal skin?
- Smooth texture
- Fine pores
- No sensitivity
- No blemishes
- Few or no breakouts
- Radiant complexion
How to take care of normal skin?
If you have normal skin, you don’t have to go all out with your skincare routine. However, you should make it a point to stay healthy, hydrated and follow the basics.
If you have normal skin, these steps will help maintain it:
1. Stay hydrated
If you don’t drink enough water throughout the day, your skin may dry up and start getting flaky. It can also lead to excess sebum production.
2. Wear sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must for overall skin health maintenance. Direct sun exposure can dry up your skin, cause wrinkles and dark patches. An oil-free sunscreen is recommended to avoid clogging skin pores
3. Moisturise
Moisturisers are a must for any skin type. They keep the skin moist and prevent it from overproducing sebum.
4. Remove your make-up before sleeping
Make-up can clog pores and lead to breakouts. You want to avoid that by taking it off after a long day.
5. Wash/cleanse your face before sleeping
Even if you don’t wear make-up, wash your face every night before you sleep. Dirt and bacteria from outside can clog pores.
Oily skin is characterised by a greasy appearance, and is primarily a result of excessive sebum production. This type of skin has excess oil secretion and is mostly shiny, sweaty, and more prone to suffer from acne and blackheads.
How can you identify oily skin?
- Greasy appearance
- Open/big pores
- Prone to breakouts
- Blackheads, other blemishes, etc.
What causes oily skin?
1. Hormonal changes
Hormonal imbalances during puberty or pregnancy can result in oily skin.
2. Climate
Where you live and the time of the year can contribute to oily skin. If you live in a humid or hot environment, it is likely to result in oily skin.
3. Genetics
Look around you. Do your immediate family members have oily skin? If the answer is yes, you most likely have it too!
- Large pores tend to produce more sebum.
- Exfoliating too much/using harsh soaps
Sometimes, what you think is contributing to glowing skin may actually be the cause of diminishing skin health. Exfoliating too much or too hard can stimulate sebum production. Using harsh chemicals unsuitable for your skin type can also contribute to oily skin.
Tips for oily skin:
1. Moisturise regularly
Moisturising regularly will keep your skin hydrated and prevent it from overproducing sebum. Choosing the right moisturiser is important. A lotion-based, lightweight moisturiser is advised for oily skin types.
2. Stay hydrated
Drink enough water to keep your skin moist. This will prevent your skin from producing excess oil.
3. Wash your face twice a day
Wash your face twice a day to remove dirt and bacteria that may clog your pores. Don’t over wash. Over washing can remove necessary oils from your skin. This can result in sensitive skin and make it more oil-prone.
4. Make-up regime
Avoid using chemical-laden, thick skincare products and ingredients. Instead look for non-comedogenic make-up products that won’t clog pores. Also, use gentle cleansers and don’t scrub. Make sure you remove all your make-up residue before going to bed.
5. Avoid touching your face constantly
If you have an oily skin type, breakouts and blemishes are nothing new. However, you must avoid popping or picking any pimples to prevent further spreading.
A lack of moisture in the skin can result in a flaky and rough appearance. This is called dry skin. Dry skin tends to produce less oil and lacks vitality. This type of skin is exposed to dryness and is vulnerable to weather changes.
How can you identify dry skin?
- Flaky and rough skin
- Uneven texture
- Itching
- Skin feels tight
- More visible lines
- Less elasticity in skin
What causes dry skin?
1. Genetics
If most of your family members have dry skin, you are likely to have it too.
2. Season
Dry skin is more common in dry climates and in the winter due to a lack of humidity.
3. Long showers
If you spend long hours in the shower, it can strip your skin of its necessary oils. This contributes to dry skin.
4. Age
As you grow older, sebum production in your skin reduces. This can result in flaky skin. Sometimes ingredients in soaps, cosmetics, or other skincare products you use can make your skin dry. Always use mild, gentle soaps, cleansers and avoid deodorant soaps
Tips for dry skin:
- Moisturise your skin regularly right after bathing to keep it soft and hydrated.
- Don’t spend too much time in the shower. Take shorter showers, not more than twice daily.
- Pat your skin gently while drying yourself up. Don’t scrub while bathing or drying.
- Drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated.
- Use a humidifier to retain your skin’s natural moisture.
- Use sunscreen to prevent your skin from getting dehydrated.
- Wear gloves while using household detergents, cleaning agents, etc. UV rays can dehydrate your skin and cause premature skin ageing. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you step out of your home, irrespective of your skin type.
Combination skin is a mix of oily and dry skin. Usually in combination skin types, the T-zone – made up of the forehead, nose and chin – is oily and the cheeks are dry. This type of skin needs to be well protected from sunlight as it is oilier than other types of skin and sensitive to sun damage.
How can you identify combination skin?
- Oily T-zone and dry cheeks
- Breakouts only on forehead, chin and nose
- Sensitive cheeks
- Large, open pores
- Shiny skin
What causes combination skin?
1. Genetics
If any of your parents and other family members have combination skin, you may have it too.
2. Products
Sometimes, harsh products can cause a change in skin type and contribute to excess sebum production in the T-zone.
3. Climate
You may see a change in your skin type depending on the change in climate. For example, summers may make your skin oily. Your skin may feel dry during the winter months.
Tips for combination skin:
1. Use cleansers
If you have combination skin, the pores in your T-zone are larger than the rest of your face. Harsh products may clog your pores, so using a gentle cleanser is recommended.
2. Exfoliate gently and once in a while
Exfoliating everyday isn’t recommended for any skin type. It can remove necessary oils from your skin. When you exfoliate, don’t scrub your T-zone too much, as scrubbing too hard can damage your skin.
3. Wear sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must-have skincare product. Choose an oil-free sunscreen if you have combination skin.
4. Maintain two separate skincare routines
Products that work for dry skin may be harsh on oily skin, so don’t use the same products for your T-zone and the rest of your face. For example, use two different types of moisturisers – a dense one for your cheeks and an oil-free, lightweight moisturiser for your T-zone.
5. Buy oil-free/fragrance-free products
Whether it’s sunscreen or make-up, buy oil-free products to avoid clogged pores. Moreover, opt for fragrance-free, natural skincare products that soothe your skin.
If your skin flushes with spicy food and adversely reacts to new products, you may have sensitive skin.
Skin that’s easily irritated and is more reactive than normal skin is referred to as sensitive skin. This type of skin is fragile, usually prone to heat, redness, itching, etc. and loses its barrier, thus allowing micro-organisms and irritants to easily enter and lead to infections and allergic reactions
How can you identify sensitive skin?
- Skin feels itchy and tight
- Parts of your body have uneven texture
- Becomes oily in summers
- Gets dry in winters
- Reacts to skincare
- Becomes red after a hot water bath
- Feels itchy while wearing tight clothes
- Flushes easily after eating spicy food
Are allergies the same as skin sensitivity?
Allergies are more severe and can sometimes cause severe reactions such as nausea and difficulty breathing. Just because you have allergies, however, doesn’t necessarily mean your skin is sensitive.
In skincare, you may be allergic to a particular ingredient but your skin may not be sensitive, as it may be able to adapt to other products that don’t contain that ingredient. However, if you have sensitive skin, your skin will most likely react to all kinds of harsh chemicals and skin products.
Tips for sensitive skin:
1. Conduct a patch test
This is mandatory if you want to prevent your skin from reacting. Don’t use a product without testing it on your hand. Wait for 24 hours after the patch test. If your skin doesn’t react to it, go ahead and apply it to your face.
2. Don’t overdo your skincare routine
Buy a mild cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. Don’t apply too many products to your face. You can start with a mild, sulphate-free cleanser that does not form lather on your skin. Choose products formulated with ingredients that have soothing properties like green tea extracts and chamomile.
3. Don’t blindly believe the “hypoallergenic” label
Products claiming to be “hypoallergenic” may not necessarily suit you. Conduct a patch test before applying these products too.
4. Avoid hot showers
Long and hot showers can make you feel good, however they can make your sensitive skin red and irritated by stripping away its essential oils. Avoid taking hot showers to prevent any aggravation.
