What Skin Type Are You?

A lot of people have asked me- how do you know what skin type you are? Well after doing a little bit of research and reading an excellent book by Iman called “The Beauty of Color” I can finally answer this question for you. There are aso even more skin types out there than I knew, so I learned something in the process as well.

There are actually six skin types: oily, dry, combination, sensitive, hyperpigmented, and normal skin. How do you you know which one you are, you ask?

Oily Skin

• Most likely to be prone to acne: pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, etc.
• Face can be shiny in the morning when you wake up, especially in your T-Zones.
• Foundation or makeup doesn’t last long on your face.
• May have large pores.

Don’t worry, there are advantages and disadvantages to having oily skin. The advantage is that your face will always remain moisturized and you will have fewer wrinkles as you age. The disadvantage is that you may have to deal with acne from time to time.

Cleansers for you: Stick to an oil-free gel or a foaming cleanser and leave exfoliating, again, to a minimum once a week.

Dry Skin

• Dull complexion?
• Did you not experience problems with acne?
• Are you sensitive to climate change?

Advantages to having dry skin is that your skin oftentimes looks excellent and flawless with no pimple in sight. The unfortunate end is that your skin may be rough to touch.

Cleansers for you: Cream-based cleanser or a “tissue-off” cleanser such as Cetaphil.

Combination Skin

• Are your T-Zones well moisturized but cheeks dry?
• Do the products you use only help parts of your face?

This happens to be the most common skin type of all. Sometimes this can be caused by using the wrong products for your face, so make sure you’re not using anything too harsh that will cause your skin to result in this. It may not even be important for you to use toners. If you do, try to stick to something less harsh such as Witch Hazel.

Cleansers for you: Stick to cleansers that are made speciafically for your skin type. They will oftensay “Combination” on the bottle.

 

Sensitive Skin

• Is your skin red or blotchy?
• Easily experience allergic reactions?
• Easy for you to sunburn?
• Does your skin become irritated easily?

Make sure that you’re paying attention to what your using on your face and how you react to it. Be sure to not “over-scrub” your face. Leave exfoliating to a minimum, once a week.

Cleansers for you: Go for thin cleansing lotions that say hypoallergenic, allergy-tested, or frgrance-free. Even after knowing this you must still be careful. Test the cleanser on the back of your neck for a few days to test your reaction. Try to also stick with more natural ingredients as well.

Hyperpigmented Skin

• Dark spots/scars caused by acne or bites?
• Moles?
• Do you freckle in the sun?

This skin type is very common amongst Middle Eastern, black, or Latina women. The unfortunate part of this skin type is that it’s something that you have to deal with but there are excellent products out there that help to prevent or take away these spots.

Cleansers for you: The best cleansers for you would be those that exfoliate. Not the harsh ones such as products that contain micro-beads, salts, grounded nuts, etc. Go for the products that more contain gycolic acid.

Normal Skin

• Skin always looks awesome even when you don’t use moisturizer?
• Few or no breakouts?
• Have not experienced any bad reactions to products?
• Even and flawless skin tone?

You clearly have no problems and this is the best skin type to have…I hate you…the end.

Cleansers for you: Go with cream cleansers that are infused with SPF or you can even use cleansing cloths for normal skin types. Make sure whatever product you are using does not leave your skin feeling tight and dry. Very simple, right? Lucky!!

Hope this information helps all you “beauty buffs” out there! Speacial thanks to Iman for putting out the book “The Beauty of Color.” Excellent manual for skin and I recommend anyone to pick a copy up!

For more information on how to maintain flawless and healthy skin refer to my Keys to a Healthy Face article.

Smooches,

Chantal

Advertisement