How to Tell Your Skin Type

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First of all, you should know how many skin types there are. Well, you'll be quite surprised to find out that there are only three: normal, oily and dry. If you are asking what is sensitive skin, you should know that this is not a skin type, but a skin condition. In other words, an oily or dry skin can also be sensitive, as skin sensitiveness generally depends on our degree of resistance against external factors and allergens, but also on our skin typology. Based on your skin type you can adapt the skin care routine and find the suitable one for you. If you don't know how to tell your skin type, take a look to these next tips.

Before starting the actual analyzing process, you should learn a few basic things. The skin has to be analyzed at natural light and at about 15-20 minutes after it has been cleaned. T-zone means forehead-nose-chin. Take into consideration the fact that the characteristics of any skin type change according to age, health, lifestyle, which makes it necessary to examine the skin at least once a year.

You can find out your skin type using these three simple methods. First of all, there is the most common and traditional method that consists in analyzing the skin using a mirror. Analyze every single detail: is your skin dull, matte, or it has blackheads, it is sensitive when you touch it, it easily reddens, it is smooth or on the contrary it look thicker. Then, there is the second method that consists in finding the pH of the skin. Usually, a normal skin has a pH of 6.5,a dry skin has a pH under 6.5, while an oily skin a pH higher than 6.5. As for the third method, this is very easy to apply. Half an hour after cleansing your skin or in the morning, set a tissue-paper on the nose, forehead, chin, temples and cheeks. Don't scrub! If the paper has spots of facial oil, your skin is oily, while flaky residues indicate a dry skin. If the paper is clean without any traces, you are the happy "owner" of a normal skin

Normal skin

When saying normal skin, we don't actually mean the most common skin type. In fact, normal skin is the rarest, sometimes having some of the characteristics of the dry or oily skin. Normal skin is characterized by an even pigmentation and texture, small pores and balanced sebum secretion. It doesn't have oily glow or dry areas, imperfections or wrinkles.

This is the ideal type of skin and if you have it, enjoy it, as it means your skin is soft, supple, vibrant, and elastic. It is a balanced skin, neither oily nor dry. As this is a healthy skin type, it doesn't require special care. The care routine of a normal skin implies moisturizing products that keep sebum under control, products containing SPF, and weekly exfoliating masks. Therefore, normal skin is very responsive to gentle cleansing, to toners and non-greasy moisturizers.

Dry skin

Oily skin

What about oily skin? You can easily recognize this type of skin after its large pores on the nose and chin, and after the excess of sebum on the T-zone during the day. The sebum excess can cause impurities, different spots, and other skin issues. Even though one might think that you only get to have disadvantages when it comes to oily skin, you should know that this type of skin doesn't wrinkle so easily.

An oily skin should be properly taken care of, should be cleaned, toned and moisturized daily using products that can control the excess of sebum as this skin type is prone to clogged pores, blackheads, pimples and acne. Remember that moisturizing products should contain humectants. Moreover, use weekly masks made from different types of clay mixed with honey and zinc. Very efficient prove to be exfoliating techniques that stimulate sebaceous glands.

Now, we have seen that sensitive is a condition of the skin, not a skin type. If your skin reddens easily, it reacts to sun, extreme temperatures, different cosmetics, and even if it is not oily, taking care of it is a real challenge, then your skin is sensitive. Analyze your skin type and use specific products, but look for those products that are anti-allergic tested and noncomedogenic. Moreover, be careful so that all the cosmetic treatments you apply to be mild and gentle in order to avoid further irritations. As we all know sun rays can be really dangerous for our skin, especially for the sensitive one. Therefore, it is essential to use sunscreen even in winter.

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