When it comes to skincare, it can be difficult to find exactly what works for you. Everyone has different skin types and the first step in skincare is figuring out yours.
Types of Skin
Oily Skin
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With oily skin, the forehead, nose, and chin (T-zone) form the most oil. To find out if you have oily skin use an oil blotting sheet and see how much comes onto it.
Dry Skin
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Dry skin can be flaky and dehydrated. Usually, the weather makes this skin more sensitive.
Combination Skin
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With combination skin, the face can have both oily skin around the T-Zone and also dry or normal skin in areas like the cheeks.
Once you discover the type of skin you have, it is important to learn what is best to use on it, specific to your type. If you are using the wrong routine it might clash with your skin type creating your skin to break out or become irritated.
Stabilizing Your Skin
- Oily skin can be washed with a generic face soap (ex. CeraVe or Cetaphil), followed by a toner (ex. Witch Hazel ) and then a light gel lotion (ex. Neutrogena).
- Dry skin needs to be cleaned using a gentle exfoliant (ex. Cetaphil) clearing the flaky skin off and moisturizing with an extra hydrating lotion (ex. Clinique or Sally Beauty).
- Combination Skin needs to be satisfied in two ways: stripping off the excess oil but also moisturizing to balance skin. Using a combination of both the oily and dry skin routine is recommended. If your skin is mostly oily in the T-zone use the light wash (refer to oily skin), but your skin is dry in your cheeks use a more moisturizing lotion (refer to dry skin).
Once you have a routine to follow its important to stay on top of it and clean your skin regularly to keep it healthy.
Routine in Action
- Oily skin needs to be washed most often. It is important to cleanse after workouts and before bed and in the morning to remove oil and reduce the possibility of acne.
- Dry Skin does not need too much exfoliation, especially in the winter. This can be detrimental especially if the skin is very gentle or the skin has Rosacea. Exfoliating once a week is usually enough for healthy dry skin. (Everything You Need to Know About Exfoliating Your Skin Safely)
- Combination Skin can be washed once or twice a day, mainly before bed to wash the oil off from the day.
As much as it’s important to remember to wash your face and moisturize, you should also drink at least eight glasses of water a day to maintain your skin’s healthy elasticity. (How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day to Be Healthy?).