How to identify your skin type

Learn about how to identify your skin type and Care Tips

Our skin is largest part of our body. It Play important role in protecting our body from external elements. To keep our skin healthy and youthful its necessary to learn about how to identify your skin type. To follow proper skincare routine and use right skincare product, understanding of skin type is vital. In this article we will explore how to identify your skin type among different skin type and how to take care of each type.

Types of skin:

Skin types are categorized into five main type normal, oily, dry, combination and sensitive skin. Each skin type needs specific care as each have unique and different characteristic.

How to identify your skin type:

Identify your skin type is crucial step in creating your own very effective skincare routine. Let’s learn about these methods.

1.The bare face method-

• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.
• Leave your skin bare (do not apply any skincare product) for an hour.
• After an hour, check your skin for dryness, oiliness or combination.

2. The bloating Sheet Method-

• Take a bloating paper and gently press it on your face areas.
• Hold the sheet in light to detect the oil marks
• If sheet shows little to no oil, then you have a dry skin
• If sheet shows oil from all area, you have oily skin.
• If sheet shows oil on forehead, nose and chin area the, you have combination skin

3.Professional assessment-

• Visit a skincare professionals or dermatologist for your skin analysis.
• They can provide personalized treatment, recommendations based on your skin type and concern.

Skin type and care tips for each skin type:

1.Normal skin:

Characteristics –

• Moisture level is balanced.
• Minimum Imperfections.
• Smooth and Soft texture.
• Small and barely visible pores.
• Even skin tone, with little sensitivity.
• Normal skin looks healthy and vibrant.
• Good elasticity which helps to prevent early aging.

Care Tips-

• Use a sulfate free gentle cleanse to maintain natural balance.
• Apply a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer.
• Use Sunscreen with minimum SPF 30 or more to prevent sun damage.
• To remove dead skin, use mild exfoliant once or twice a week.

2. Dry Skin:

Characteristics-

• Rough and flaky texture.
• After washing skin feels tightness.
• Dull complexion.
• Visible lines and wrinkles.
• Small and barely visible pores.
• Prone to cracks and peeling.
• Affected quickly by external factors due to lack of skin’s natural oil.

Care Tips-

• Use a creamy hydrating moisturizer to retain moisture.
• Apply a heavy rich moisturizer to lock in hydration and prevent dryness.
• Use moisturizing Sunscreen with minimum SPF 30 or more to prevent sun damage and extra hydration.
• To remove dead skin, use gentle, enzyme based exfoliant once a week.

3. Oily Skin:

Characteristics-

• Shiny appearance.
• Excessive oil or sebum production.
• Enlarged pores.
• Easily prone to acne and blackheads.
• More prone to frequent breakouts , because of excessive sebum production which mix with the dead skin and clogs the pore.
• Less prone to fine lines and wrinkles.

Care Tips-

• Use a strong foaming face wash twice a day to control excessive oil production
• Use gel or water based light weight and non-comedogenic moisturizer.
• Use a mattifying sunscreen to protect the skin from sun damage without producing extra oil.
• Use a salicylic acid based exfoliants 2 or 3 times a week to clear the pores.

4. Combination Skin:

Characteristics-

• Oily in T zone (forehead, nose and chin).
• Produces more oil in T zone only.
• Normal to dry in face area other than T zone.
• Enlarged pores and prone to acne in T zone.
• Changes with the season; become oilier in summer and drier in the winter.

Care Tips-

• Use cleanser which remove excess oil without drying the face.
• Apply moisturizer specially made for combination skin, which are not too creamy nor too watery.
• Use sunscreen suitable for combination skin without causing oiliness.
• 1 to 2 times a week, use gentle exfoliant, focusing on T zone.

5. Sensitive Skin:

Characteristics-

• Prone to redness and inflammation.
• Thin skin with visible blood vessels.
• Easily irritated by any skincare or beauty product causing burning sensation.
• Prone to rashes and bumps.
• More sensitive towards UV rays.

Care Tips-

• Use a non-comedogenic, hypoallergic and fragrance-free cleanser to avoid irritation.
• Apply a soothing moisturizer designed for sensitive skin.
• Use a mineral based sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium oxide to prevent inflammation.
• Use a very gentle and mild exfoliant once a week.
• Avoid use physical scrubs.

General Skincare tips for all skin type

Regardless your skin type these are some universal tips which can benefit every skin type.

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated from within.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in Vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and protein.
• Ensure to get enough sleep of 6 to 8 hours to allow skin to repair and regenerate.
• Manage your stress by doing meditation, yoga or exercise.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption to prevent premature aging.

After getting the answer of this common question “How to identify your skin type”, Follow these tips to achieve and maintain the youthful and healthy skin. Be consistent and give your skin the attention it deserves.