People are born with a skin type, which is determined by their genetics and ethnicity.Skin type are predicated on the oil produced from the follicles from the sebaceous glands and the amount of lipids found between cells.The center of you face is called the T-zone, so across your forehead, down your nose to your chin. The size of your pores on your T- zone and around your face, helps determine the skin type. Skin types include normal, combination, dry, oily and sensitive. Although sensitive skin is primarily a condition, it can be a skin type for some people.
Normal skin
Normal skin has good oil-water balance. The follicles are normal size and the skin is blemish free. The goal for this skin type is maintenance.
Combination skin
Combination skin can be both oily and dry or normal and oily at the same time. The T-zone through the middle of the face on the forehead, nose and chin is oiler. The outer area of the face can be either normal or dry and can even appear flaky from either dehydration or dead skin cells. Combination skin needs to be balanced and requires more care than normal skin. The oil-water balance can be achieved by treating both oily and dry skin on your skin. Water based products work best for combination skin.
Oily skin
Oily skin is characterized by excess sebum production. The follicle size is larger and contain more oil.When you have visibly large follicle size over most of your face this indicates an oily skin type.Oily skin requires more cleansing and exfoliating than other skin types do. It is prone to blemishes because the pores get clogged with oil and a build up of dead skin cells; blemishes and comedones are common. People with this skin type tend to over cleanse the skin which strips the skin’s acid mantle and makes skin unbalanced.When this happens your body goes into protection mode, to produce additional oil to compensate for the dryness. Proper treatment, exfoliation and water based hydrator will help keep oily skin clean and balanced.The positive side to having oily skin is that it ages more slowly than other skin types because of the protection provided by oil secretions.
Dry skin
Dry skin does not produce enough oil.The follicles are usually small and the sebum is minimal.The skins natural oil secretion in our follicles protect us from environmental damage and aging. Dry skin needs extra care because it lacks normal protection. Skin texture may be slightly rough and feel tight. Using occlusive products, that are thick and lay on top of the skin to help prevent moisture loss is recommended.These protects holds moisture in the skin and protect the skins barrier layer which combats dryness.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is a condition but it is also genetically predisposed. Sensitive skin can be caused by stress pollution, stress, sun exposure and other unhealthy factors.Sensitive skin is characterized by fragile and redness on the skin. Sensitive skin is easily irritated by products, heat and sun exposure. Fragile or sensitive skin can also be a result of age or medication so anyone can become reactive at any time from exposure to harsh chemicals, or heat. Sensitive skin is very difficult to treat because it has a low tolerance to heat or stimulation. First, avoid all harsh product or procedure, use gentle non irritating, and calming products on the skin. It is important to find out the cause of your sensitive skin by doing a through skin analysis with a licensed professional. The goal for sensitive skin is to soothe, calm and protect.
No matter what skin type you have, remember that the goal is to keep the skins barrier balanced.
