Your skin care regimen is one of the most important aspects of self-care. All your skincare decisions, however, will depend on your skin type. From your skin care regimen to the products you use, from the make-up you use to your diet and nutrition – just about everything will depend on your skin type. Determining your skin type does not require expert consultation. Here are a few guidelines for understanding your skin type and working towards glowing, radiant, and smooth skin.
Knowing different skin types
To be able to determine your skin type, you need to know the different classifications of skin. Dermatologists and skin experts often classify skin into these different categories –
- Normal skin
- Oily skin
- Dry skin
- Combination skin
- Sensitive skin
- Acne-prone skin
The ideal time to determine skin type
The ideal time to determine your natural skin type is the morning. Throughout the day, there is a great deal of dust, oil, and sebum accumulation on the skin, which will interfere with your skin study. Environmental pollution and make-up also interfere in determining skin type. Wake up in the morning and wait an hour. Do not apply to make-up or skincare products at this time.
Examine your skin carefully.
- If the skin looks dry and patchy, you have dry skin.
- If it looks oily all over and running a dry tissue over it leaves oily marks, your skin can be classified as oily skin.
- If the forehead and nose area (T zone) is oily, but the remaining skin looks either normal or dry, you have combination skin.
- If your skin reacts to usual products or make-up, you likely have sensitive skin. Using chemical products on sensitive skin can cause a stinging or an itchy sensation.
- If you have freckles, acne, and breakouts, you have acne-prone skin.
Picking the right skincare products
While it is always important to pick skincare product that is free from harsh, toxic chemicals, skin type is another important factor that should be considered when picking up skincare products and makeup. It is very important to pick products that are suited to your skin type because these could prevent exacerbation of the symptoms and help you get the clean, radiant, and glowing skin that you dream of.
A vitamin c face wash for dry skin, for example, will help clean and soothe the skin. Picking a product with natural ingredients such as mulberry and liquorice extracts can help keep your dry skin hydrated and revitalised. If you have oily or combination skin, on the other hand, you may opt for a product like a vitamin c serum for oily skin from Wow Skin Science. It will help naturally brighten the skin and keep it hydrated while staying light.
Taking care of diet and nutrition
Foods rich in vitamin D, Omega 3 fatty acids, and selenium are good for those with dry skin while alcohol, caffeine, and excess salt are best avoided. People with oily skin may want to avoid fried foods, heavy dairy products, and sugary foods. Consuming watermelon, cucumber, coconut water, etc. helps clarify oily skin.