How To Identify Your Skin Type
As most of us are not educated skin care professionals sometimes identifying our skin types and skin conditions does not come easy. Let’s just stop here for a minute… I just wrote “skin type” and “skin condition”. Yes, these describe completely different things about our skin.
Skin Types
Your skin type is defined by the hydration level of your skin. These are the skin types and their definitions:
Dry or Dehydrated Skin
- No visible pores
- Surface or deep layer oil- or water deficiency
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Skin feels thin
- Occasional uncomfortable tightness
- Occasional flakiness
- Occasional sensitivity/redness from dehydration by the elements
Normal Skin
- No concerns
- Firmness and elasticity
- Flawless
- Youthful look
Combination skin
- T-Zone definition
- Hard to decide on moisturizer, as most make oilier areas break out
- Occasional sensitivity from dehydration by the elements
Oily Skin
- Shine all over or in certain areas
- Acne prone tendency
- Inflammation prone tendency
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions are often temporary, however some may last throughout your life. Many skin condition can occur across different skin types, such as rosacea can be oily or dry, or hyperpigmentation can occur on any skin types. These are the skin types and their definitions:
Aging or Prematurely Aging Skin
- Surface or deep layer water- and oil deficiency
- Lack of elasticity or loose skin
- Drooping lines and eyelids
- Fine lines, wrinkles and folds
- Age spots
- Thinned skin
- Thinned lip line
- Dull, tired looking complexion, stressed skin
- Loose pores
For recommended products, check out the following categories:
Acne
- Spots
- Inflammation
- Redness
- Shiny complexion
- Occasional flakiness (seborrhea)
For recommended products, check out the oily, acne, inflamed skin category.
Sensitivity/Rosacea
- Irritation
- Redness
- Hives, itching
- Sensitivity to the touch
- Dehydration from the elements
- Roughness
- Acne Rosacea
- Dermatitis (rash caused by certain ingredients or allergies – externally or internally)
- Burning, stinging or sunburn
- Hypoallergenic skin
For recommended products, check out the sensitivity/rosacea category.
Hyperpigmentation
- Darkening of the skin
- Uneven complexion
- Age spots
- Sun damage
- Pregnancy mask
- Melasma (uncureable but controllable)
- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (scars, acne scars)
- Freckles
- Blotchy skin
For recommended products, check out the hyperpigmentation category.
Dehydration (temporary)
- Surface moisture deficiency
- Rough or chapped skin
- Windburn
- Sunburn
- Lack of moisture
- Skin feels “thin”
For recommended products, check out the dry skin category.
Hormonal Imbalances
- Elasticity drop
- Peri-menopausal/menopausal skin
- Adult acne (periodical breakouts)
For recommended products, check out the hormonal imbalances category.