Identifying Your Skin Type (and How To Look After It)
Our skin has a lot to deal with. From environmental factors, like the weather and pollution, to make-up and sweat, our skin is constantly being put to the test. Over time, this can leave our skin feeling unhappy. It can be too dry, too oily, or too sensitive. So how do you find the best solution for your skin?
Everybody is different, but identifying your skin type can help you figure out how to bring balance back to your skin.
What Are the 5 Skin Types?
So what skin type are you? There are 5 basic types, normal, oily, dry, combination and sensitive.
Normal Skin
Normal skin does what it says on the tin. It’s smooth and clear with no dryness or flakiness and no signs of oil either.
Oily Skin
For people struggling with oily skin, then you probably have a shiny appearance. If you wear make-up you’ll notice your make-up easily slides off your face, and it can also cause acne breakouts.
Dry Skin
If your skin is feeling tight and dehydrated, then your skin is likely too dry. You might also find that your skin tends to flake.
Combination Skin
Combination skin combines dryness and too much oil. While the rest of your face will feel lack lustre and dry, your T-zone will be oily. These oily areas produce breakouts and your pores might appear large.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin sufferers experience itchy skin and are often prone to rashes. You may also find that products sting or burn when applied to your skin.
How To Help and What To Avoid
Now that you’ve identified your skin type, here are the best ways to care for your skin. We’ve also included things to avoid to keep your skin in tip-top condition.
Normal Skin
How to help: Make sure you stick to a good skincare routine to sustain radiant skin. Use SPF daily to protect your skin. It’s not just the outside that counts, take care on the inside too by eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water.
What to avoid: To keep your skin balanced avoid using oils that are too heavy as it can overproduce your sebum levels, clogging your pores and causing breakouts. Smoking can also affect your skin, so avoid smoking to keep your complexion glowing.
Oily Skin
How to help: Just like caring for normal skin, keeping up a good skincare routine is just as important for those with oily skin. You should cleanse daily, removing any dirt, such as make-up. Use an alcohol-free toner and exfoliate regularly. You should use a hydrating cream in both the morning and the evening to keep your skin well moisturised.
In addition to this, applying an oil-absorbing face mask regularly can help to remove any excess sebum, balancing out your skin. Drinking plenty of water will also help with excess oil.
What to avoid: To reduce oily skin, it’s best to stay away from oil-based make-up and pore-clogging products. Oily skin often produces acne breakouts, so avoid picking at your skin as this will only make it worse, spreading dirt and bacteria.
Dry Skin
How to help: Again, maintaining a healthy skincare routine is just as vital for dry skin. Ensure to cleanse daily with an oil cleanser to keep skin soft and hydrated, and exfoliate regularly to remove dry and flaky skin.
Hydrating face masks can rejuvenate your skin, along with applying hydrating face cream day and night. Drink plenty of water to help your skin stay hydrated.
What to avoid: Dry skin requires as much moisturisation as possible, so products that contain alcohol, clay or glycolic acid should be avoided because they are too dehydrating. While exfoliating is recommended, make sure not to over-exfoliate as this will dry out your skin as well.
Combination Skin
How to help: For people with combination skin, cleansers are your best friends. In the morning, a foaming cleanser will remove oil, while in the evening it’s better to use a cream-based cleanser to rehydrate your skin and prevent it from drying out.
When it comes to toners, use ones that are high in antioxidants, but be sure to treat your oily t-zone and dry cheeks separately. Don’t forget to add SPF into your skincare routine.
What to avoid: Try not to touch your face and avoid products that contain alcohol.
Sensitive Skin
How to help: Aim to use products that don’t contain alcohol or fragrances that irritate your skin. Incorporate SPF into your daily skincare routine, and use hydrating and cooling products, such as aloe vera to soothe sensitive skin.
What to avoid: Stay far away from products containing fragrances, alcohol and chemicals. Keep exfoliating to a minimum and avoid harsh exfoliators that can damage your skin.
Truth About Makeup Can Help
Whatever your skin type, Truth About Makeup is here to help you create a skincare routine that treats your skin with kindness and love. Take a look around our online shop to find products that match your skin type.
