Skin 101

Have you ever gone to buy face products and get overwhelmed by all the labels saying "normal skin" "combination skin" "dry skin" so on so fourth. The biggest mistake we make is buying products that do not match our skin type. Even though we think we know what skin type we are, our skin's conditions can quickly be altered by changes in environment, health, diet and product choices like cleaners, toners, moisturizers and even makeup. For example, when I started esthetician school we were learning how to do facials on each other, I have sensitive to normal skin depending on my products and how I take care of myself, but the cleanser we were using was a gel cleanser that was too strong for my skin type and I broke out in a rash all over my face. Not red rashes but little irritated bumps on my face. Once i saw the irritation i quickly stopped using that cleanser and brought my own. You just have to listen to your body and eliminate anything you think it can be irritating your skin. Its as easy as one two three...

Here is  a quick look at figuring out what skin type you are and some suggestions on how to take care of it. I hope this helps!

Normal Skin
Analyzing skin:
-Comfortable-feeling after washing/cleansing
-Cheeks are the driest area, not excessively dry but dry around that area
-May have shine and large pores on forehead, nose or chin
-Water and oil mixture in this skin type is balanced.

Care for Normal Skin:
 Normal skin routine should be Cleansing foam and a lightweight SPF moisturizer lotion. A diet rich in vitamins A,C and E helps to keep skin smooth and soft. Water helps flush out toxins out of the body and maintain hydration.

Dry/Extra Dry Skin
Analyzing Skin:
-Feels tight or overly tight after washing/cleansing
May look or be dry and/or flaky
-Feels rough and uneven, dehydrated
-May be sensitive
-Pores are small
-Fine lines are more visible then any other skin types because of the lack of moisture

Care for Dry/Extra Dry skin:
Requires special care and a special routine. Healthy diet is a must, high water content, such as fruits and vegetables. Use a rich/milk cleanser and an SPF rich moisturizer. Layering moisturizer can help you just have to see what will work for you, an example of layering moisturizers: begin with lightweight face oil, and then layer a richer cream/moisturizer over that. See what works for you, no toner is needed with this skin type but rich and milky cleaners and moisturizers are ideal. Exfoliate one-twice a week, no more then that, to get the flakey dead skin cells off .

Oily Skin
Analyzing skin:
-Oily skin tends to be shinny around your T-Zone( the forehead, nose, and chin); it is a condition caused by overactive sebaceous glands (where oil is produced by our skin). In other words overactive oil-producing glands.
-Large Pores
-Frequent breakouts
-Few signs of aging, fine lines.

Care for Oily Skin:
Oily skin is usually accompanied by acne skin so this skin type has to be treated for oiliness and prevention of breakouts. Gel cleansers are great for this skin and an alcohol-free astringent to remove excess oil. Oil-free moisturizers will help to keep skin from over drying.

Combination Skin
Analyzing skin:
-Oily through T-Zone
-Dry Cheeks or spot dehydration
-Larger pores on the forehead, nose, and chin

Care for Combination Skin:
With this skin type you will want to cleanse, tone and moisturize. Use milder cleansers and denser moisturizer for dry areas. There are a lot of products out there that are targeted for combination skin.

Sensitive Skin
Analyzing skin:
- Can range from dry to oily
-Easily irritated by products: cleansers, moisturizers and cosmetics.
-Sensitive and prone to redness
-itchy/blotchy

Care for Sensitive Skin:
This skin requires mild, non-perfumed cleansers. Also use cleansers and moisturizers formulated for this type of skin.
**my suggestion for sensitive skin which works for me is Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer/lotion. very gentle to the skin but helps clean the skin as well. Cetaphil moisturizer/lotion is rich but not too rich to irritate the skin. Cetaphil has helped my skin and see a big difference in using these products.

These are some information I have learned and wanted to share. Also these are suggestions, you don't have to live by it find what works for you. To find the right Skin routine for you is all trial and error. Play the elimination game and see what works and what doesn't, thats the best way to go. Sometimes name brand products aren't the best way to go, just because its expensive doesn't mean its better. Drugstores now have a great section for skin. You will see that they have a section for normal, oily, dry/extra dry, combination, sensitive and aging skin products. Just go there with a plan and know what type of skin you have so you wont be overwhelmed with the products that are there. Do your research before starting/changing your routine but knowing the basics helps more then not knowing. I hope this was helpful and if you have any tips or suggestions comment and let me know whta you do for your skin type. Have a beautiful day!