Know your skin type

You are sensitive? Combination? Dry? Oily? Normal? No, this has nothing to do with your personality! Each person’s skin is different. The best way to know how to take good care of your skin is to first determine what type of skin you have. If you’re not sure about your skin type, a good test is to take a piece of dry lens cleaning paper and place it on different areas of your face, 15 minutes after washing and drying. If you have dry skin, the paper will not stick to your face. Oily? The paper will stick to your face or absorb any oil you can see on the paper. If the paper sticks to your nose, forehead, chin, but nowhere else, you have combination or normal skin type. Most people have some skin irregularities and should follow a good cleansing regimen.

Normal skin – you are very lucky! A simple cleaning routine: use a soap-free cleanser twice a day. The cleanser should not contain harsh detergents, soap, or alcohol that can dry out or irritate the skin. Use a light, non-comedogenic/dermatologist-tested moisturizer on face while skin is damp. Wear sunscreen daily. A moisturizing or exfoliating mask can be applied once a week.

Oily skin sebum, the lipid-rich protective natural oil found in skin cells, is highly active for people with oily skin. Good news: naturally hydrated skin. Bad news: acne prone, enlarged pores and shine. Cleansing path: Use a cleanser with salicylic acid (which decreases sebum production) twice a day. You can follow up with an alcohol-based toner that contains salicylic acid. Alcohol-based toners dry out your skin, so use them carefully. Moisturizing is not normally necessary for oily skin, but if it is, an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer is recommended. Wear oil-free sunscreen every day. Optional weekly clay/mud mask.

NOTE: There are plenty of strong vitamin A creams available for ultra-oily skin. These retinoids require a prescription from your dermatologist.

Combination skin: know your T zone! The T-zone (forehead and nose area) is typically oily skin and the cheeks tend to be dry skin. This is combination skin. Cleansing routine: wash the skin with a mild cleanser twice a day. Cleaner without soap, without alcohol and without aggressive detergents is your best option. Look for one that contains salicylic acid for oily areas. Use dandruff shampoo if you notice a buildup of yeast on your scalp or eyebrows that can cause itching or irritation. Dandruff shampoos are most effective when used every other day until the condition is under control, followed by applications twice a week. Apply oil-free moisturizer only to dry areas of skin after cleansing. Wear sunscreen every day! Mask recommendation: combine it! Clay mask for oily areas and moisturizing for dry areas.

NOTE: combination skin can be a symptom of seborrhea, seborrheic eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. Overproduction of oil on the face and scalp leads to this type of skin condition. Check with your dermatologist for more information.

Dry Skin – Dry skin can contribute to premature aging, so don’t forget your moisturizer! Cleansing routine: Wash your skin once or twice a day with a soap-free, moisturizing cleanser. Do not use alcohol toners/cleansers and stay away from harsh soaps and detergents. Use a moisturizer that is non-greasy and non-comedogenic, it may contain natural emollients to add moisture, including dimethicone and cyclomethicone or colloidal oatmeal. Once a week the moisturizing mask is optional. Wear sunscreen and drink a gallon of water a day! NOTE: Be sensitive to the products you use in the shower or to wash your clothes, as they can cause further dryness of the skin.

Sensitive skin: If you have harsh, itchy, or irritating reactions to moisturizers, soaps, or other skin care products, you have sensitive skin. It is highly recommended that people with sensitive skin refrain from using any products with alcohol, acids, strong detergents, fragrances, preservatives, dyes, and makeup. Always look for hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic on the label when searching for beauty products. Cleaning routine: wash the face twice a day with a cleanser for sensitive skin (alcohol-free, soap-free). Apply hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic moisturizer while wet. Wear hypoallergenic, oil-free sunscreen every day!