We’re often asked by our belles: “How do I determine my skin type? It’s changing all the time!”
Getting to know your skin type is necessary to choose the right products for your skin. Because just like you, your skin needs food, the nourishing kind of food, not the type of food that makes your skin feel smooth but do nothing in the long run. By knowing your skin type, you can give your skin the right nutrients it needs, thus, having a balanced and healthy skin.
First, let’s define skin types. Skin types are determined by genetics and ethnicity. Most of us have very good skin until puberty; this is when our skin starts to change due to hormones and from there a skin type is established throughout our adulthood.
A skin type is determined by the amount of oil (sebum) that our sebaceous glands produce and the skin texture/ complexion.
We have 5 common skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive. The later can also be considered as a skin condition. Skin conditions are the temporary states that your skin is in. Think acne, eczema, psoriasis, aging and hyperpigmentation, they’re skin conditions. Everyone has a skin type but not everyone has a skin condition. Sensitivity is the skin’s tendency to get inflamed and redness due to various internal and external triggers. Hence, it can be both skin type and skin condition.
Your skin type can change depending on your age, health, lifestyle and climate. So as long as your oil production and skin texture change, your skin type changes. For instance, during colder month, our skin tends to get drier; or as we get older our oil glands produce less oil compared to our younger age.
And because your skin type is determined by the amount of oil secreted by the skin, follow these steps to know your skin types:
STEP 1: Remove make-up, wash your face clean and pat dry.
STEP 2: Leave your skin alone for a couple of hours without putting any products or make-up on.
STEP 3: Examine your skin and look at (1) your pore size, (2) your skin surface and (3) your sebum production. Each skin type will show the following signs:
Normal Skin:
- Smooth and clear skin surface.
- Pore size is relatively small.
- No visible blemishes, oily areas and dry patches.
Dry Skin:
- Dry skin lack oils.
- Dull & dry skin surface.
- Pores are nearly invisible.
- Dry skin is prone to fine lines and sensitivity (i.e. redness, itchiness, skin irritation).
Oily Skin:
- Oily skin over-produces oil / sebum.
- Oily and greasy skin surface.
- Pore size is large.
- Oily skin is prone to blemishes, black / white heads and pimples.
Combination Skin:
- Combination skin has oily T-zone and normal to dry cheeks and other areas.
- Pore size varies from medium to large.
- Black heads can be seen around the nose area while the cheeks can be sensitive.
Sensitive Skin:
- Characterised by redness and itchiness due to both internal and external factors.
- The skin needs to be treated gentle and avoid irritants and harsh ingredients.
- Sensitive skin is a skin condition which can associate with any skin types and can occur anytime.
Voila! You’re now one step closer to creating your perfect skincare routine!
Infographic: SKIN TYPES
- by Helen Dao
