IDENTIFYING YOUR SKIN TYPE:

Skin Type


Have you ever noticed that you buy the best skin care product available but when you use it, it just creates more problems? Well, the problem may not be with the product, it's just that your skin is of a different type. So first I'll describe different types of skin and their texture. If that doesn't help then you can try the two tests I'll be talking about at last.

Types of skin:

There are different types of skin but the five primary skin types are:

  1.  Normal skin
  2.  Oily skin
  3.  Dry skin
  4.  Combination skin
  5.  Sensitive skin

1. Normal skin:

Normal Skin

Normal skin has a balanced texture that is not oily or dry. Pores are small, skin is non-greasy and has a smooth texture and it's usually acne-free. It has this perfect and smooth appearance and I'm jealous.

2. Oily skin:

Oliy Skin


Oily skin appears shiny and greasy especially at T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) due to excessive sebum production by sebaceous glands. The sebum protects your skin and moisturizes it just like any oil will do. The skin has large pores and is more prone to acne, whiteheads, and blackheads. People with oily skin should use moisturizers with a gel-like texture and substances like salicylic acid and retinol are recommended for oily skin types. "non-comedogenic" Products are fine for oily skin people.

3. Dry skin:

Dry Skin


People with dry skin have dull and rough appearances. Especially in winters, you see a layer of dead cells which makes your skin rough and might have cracks if you don't take care of your skin. They have almost invisible pores and are less prone to acne. They get wrinkles faster than oily skin types. People with dry skin should use moisturizers having hyaluronic acid since it's hydrophilic (water-loving).

4. Combination of skin:

Combination of skin


Combination skin types have oily T-zones and dry cheeks. This means that T-zone areas will be prone to acne while other areas will have a rough and dull appearance like in dry skin type. Such people should either use different products for different areas or use products that can go with both oily and dry skin. Gel-like moisturizer is recommended for such people.

5. Sensitive skin:

Sensitive Skin


Sensitive skin types are sensitive to irritants due to which their skin can get red and start burning. Sensitive skin type is not completely different. By this, I mean that you can have an oily, dry, normal, or combination skin type and still have sensitive skin. Such people should do a patch test before using products on their faces and what products to use and what not to use. Use those products labeled as "non-irritant".

TESTS:

Now The two tests for identifying your skin type are
  1.  Bare-faced test
  2.  Blotting sheet test

1. Bare-faced test:

In this test, wash your face with a mild cleanser and then wait for thirty minutes. While you're waiting don't apply anything on your skin like a moisturizer or serum. After thirty minutes:
● If your skin is not oily or dry then you have a normal skin type.
● If your skin is shiny all over your face then you have oily skin.
● If it's shiny only at T-zone only then you have a combination skin type.
● If your skin is dry and feels tight then you have a dry skin type.

2. Blotting sheet test:

It's a really simple test. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and wait for thirty minutes. After thirty minutes, apply a blotting sheet on all areas of your face then see it in the light.
● If you see little oily spots all over the sheet then you probably have normal skin.
● If you see excessively oily spots all over the sheet then you have oily skin.
● If you see excessive oily spots only at T-zone then you have a combination skin type.
● If you see little oily spots then you most likely have dry skin.


Conclusion:

Hope this helps you identify your skin type and now you can use products more wisely and according to your skin type. Also, keep your skin moisturized and hydrated since it helps solve lots of problems.