What Is Your Skin Type?
You can often find yourself looking at the products you have bought and brought home and tried but that didn't quite get you the results you'd like to see. It's an investment after all, the dollars spent in this area of our lives shouldn't be wasted or regretted. So let's start the New Year with a New Way to a New You!
Some people are acutely aware of their skin type and some really couldn't guess. So for those who would like some direction, I offer a quick example of questions you may ask yourself. Healthline.com begins with a sample of five questions to consider:
"At the end of the day:
Does your face feel oily and look shiny? Shop Acne & Congestion
Is your T-zone shimmering, but the rest of your face is mostly matte? Shop Combination Skin Balance & Refinement
Do you have minimal oil, flakiness, or redness or color changes, or none at all? Shop Combination Skin Balance & Refinement
Is your skin flaky or tight? Shop Dry & Dehydrated Skin Support
Is your skin itchy or inflamed? Shop Sensitive Skin, Redness & Inflammation"
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/skin-type-test#determining-type
In my experience, and because it's my skin type, I would add to that a 6th question:
Is your skin reactive and prone to breakouts? I call that skin type "Sensitive-Combination". If I do not use gentle products along with a gentle exfoliant regularly (my pores are large and easily clog), my skin will breakout with cystic-type inflammations under the skin that can take a long time to surface and heal. It can also be oily if I sweat a lot (while at my home in Florida), and quite dry if I am spending time in a desert environment (when I visit near Palm Springs annually).
There are reasons why you would need to change your products that have to do with environment, weather and activity, as well as hormonal changes at different times in life – pregnancy, monthly periods, peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause chief among them. Getting thorough advice can completely elevate your skincare game and should be done regularly based on lifestyle, environment or sometimes specific concerns you wish to target, these can fluctuate.
Adding products or care techniques to address your specific skin concerns is where the real customization comes in. These issues can include uneven complexion, sun damage, extreme dryness, deep lines and wrinkles, issues related to health or treatments for some types of illness that can result in dullness or lack of vitality. Acne prone skin can require a stronger approach and discipline to overcome in some serious cases – but well worth your time and money – especially for teenagers going through this delicate time (we've all been there!).
A good skincare routine shouldn't be complex, but it should be consistent and include smart layering. As Healthline.com explains, the order you apply products matters. "It's generally best to follow a skin care routine of cleansing and either toning or exfoliating, followed by applying products from lightest to heaviest." Healthline This helps active ingredients penetrate and work effectively rather than just sitting on the surface of your skin.
Here's an example of what that might look like when put into practice:
MORNING:
Cleanse to remove impurities and excess oils from nighttime products; and to refresh and prepare your skin for makeup or daytime exposure.
Toner completes the cleansing process and leaves your skin at the proper pH level.
Exfoliant to balance your skin and prep it for treatment (optional - sometimes your exfoliant is part of your evening routine – see below).
Serum with antioxidants or hydrators like vitamin C or hyaluronic acid.
Sunscreen for daily UV protection (non-negotiable!).
EVENING
Cleanse to wash away makeup, SPF, and pollutants (if you wear makeup, particularly some of the new waterproof type, cleansing twice is appropriate)
Toner to remove any remnants of makeup or cleanser and leave your skin at the proper pH level.
Targeted treatments (like retinol, glycolic or AHAs as evening exfoliants, lightening products for pigmentation, or acne treatments for skin prone to breakouts).
Moisturizer or night cream to support overnight repair and hydrate while you sleep.
In general, your daytime routine is to prepare your skin for the day and protect it from the environment or exposure to the elements/pollutants. Your evening routine is for cleansing off the day and treatment for your general or specific skin concerns. However, the goal is not to have "squeaky clean" skin. No matter your skin type, at the end of your regimen your skin should feel comfortable and moist to the touch. This includes oily skin which requires the use of an oil free moisturizer. If your skin is overly dry - even if it is oily - your skin will get the message to 'make more oil'.
Starting with these basics and adjusting based on your skin type and skin concerns will help you build a routine that's both effective and sustainable, without wasting time and money on products not meant for you.
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