It is a common occurrence to hear of someone who purchased the same natural serums after seeing the radiant skin of a friend only to experience a breakout. Just because a particular product is organic or natural does not automatically mean it was formulated for all skin types. Natural serums, for example, have specific target areas they specialize in and only work for the right skin type indicated on the bottle. You must first know your skin type before applying any product to avoid the risk of an allergic reaction or a breakout.
Different skin types explained
There are generally five main skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin.
- Normal
People with normal skin have fewer problems to deal with concerning skincare. They are considered to be in the middle of the spectrum – their skin is not too oily nor too dry. People with normal skin type also respond faster to products wherein the appearance of acne could be addressed quickly because the skin is not oily by nature.
However, these people still need to follow proper skincare routine to ensure that their skin remains normal and prevent signs of aging.
- Dry
Genetics and different environments, such as cold weather, can lead to dry skin. Those with dry skin often feel tightness or stretching in their face as if all moisture is seeping out of their pores. Flakes and scaly patches on the surface with almost invisible pores are also other signs of having dry skin.
- Oily
It is easy to know if someone has oily skin – there is a constant glow on the nose, forehead, upper cheeks, and chin area. This “glow” is not caused by radiant skin but an overproduction of sebum. Those with oily skin could attest to the frequent breakouts of acne because of all the oil constantly enlarging and blocking the pores.
- Combination
As the name suggests, having a combination type of skin means dealing with any two skin types, the most common being oily and dry skin. This could be seen by an oily T zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and a dry cheek and eye area.
- Sensitive
Those with sensitive skin typically have any of the four skin types but with an added amount of redness or irritation. These skin types need to be extra careful with the products they apply because the skin is more prone to allergies and complications.
Choosing the right skincare product for each skin type
- Normal
While they could skip some of the more rigorous steps in a skincare routine such as ampoules and serums, those with normal skin types should still apply the core steps of the method in maintaining healthy skin. Cleansers, toners, and moisturizers that are light and non-greasy are highly recommended for normal skin types.
- Dry
It may seem logical that having dry skin means a lack of water and nourishment, but adding more moisture could lead to even more dehydrated skin. Both dry and oily skin has the same levels of water content, and causing an imbalance could lead to further complications. Instead, one should watch out for certain harmful ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide in products because it diminishes the number of oil glands in the skin, which leads to more dryness. On the other hand, moisturizers with green tea extracts and natural serums have been proven to be beneficial for dry skin types.
- Oily
It is very tempting for someone with oily skin to dry out the area by using harsh products with alcohol; however, it could lead to even oiler skin because the body will assume an unnatural imbalance and go into survival or hyperactive mode. The approach to dealing with oily skin is a subtle and slow one. Products with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and retinol work in keeping sebum production at a minimum without alarming the oil glands. For a more natural approach, honey, clays, oatmeal, lemon, and egg whites could be used to treat oily skin.
- Combination
Those with combination skin types have to apply two different skincare routines. For example, using glycolic acid on the T zone but ensuring it does not touch the cheek area because the dry skin will react negatively to the chemical.
- Sensitive
Sensitive skin types frequently acquire skincare products from their dermatologists and complement them with all-natural and gentle ingredients.
Radiance and glow is for everyone
Finding the right skin type is the first step to ensuring the proper skincare routine is followed, and irritation and allergic reactions are avoided. Regardless of the skin type, everyone still has the right to radiant and glowing skin.