oily skin Archives

Do you get perplexed when someone asks, “What is your skin type?’ Knowing your skin type is extremely beneficial when you have to choose an OTC skin care product. You should know your skin type for taking care of your skin. Healthy skin is a reflection of overall wellness. Everyone’s skin is different. This is because glowing healthy skin is the best foundation to wear. Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It has so many different functions. Apart from protecting our body from environmental aggregators such as sun rays, colds, germs and toxic substances it also helps in regulating our body temperature, prevents loss of moisture, and immune organs to detect infections. This read will summarize few key points that will help you to identify your skin type.

Does your skin type change over time?

Yes! It is true that a person’s skin type can change over time due to changes in their bodies. The changes in the skin type can be due to the fact that a person’s sebaceous glands grow during puberty , the skin will be oilier during adolescence than during childhood. This can last into adulthood. Here are some other factors that may affect the type of skin you have:

Pregnancy
Menopause
Medications
Ageing
Moving to a different climate
Exposure to pollutants and irritants

What Are the Different Skin Types?

Defining your skin type may be confusing at times but here’s something that can help. You can take better care of your skin if you are aware of their specific characteristics. There are 5 different skin types. Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination and Sensitive skin. Let’s learn more about them which will help to know what skin type you may have:

1. Normal:

People describe normal skin as being neither oily nor dry, but with a smooth, soft appearance and normal texture with no imperfections. It does not require special care. People use normal skin to describe skin that is not obviously oily, dry, or sensitive. This skin type produces enough sebum to keep skin evenly hydrated without looking greasy. It is easy to care for and is not as problematic as other types of skin.

2. Dry:

This skin type lacks moisture and often flakes and peels. Your skin may also be easily irritated. Usually, dry skin is caused by external factors such as weather like winter, low air humidity, and hot water immersion. It is usually temporary. This type of skin may occur more often for some people and can even become a lifelong condition. This is due to the fact that dry skin can crack exposing the skin to bacteria, although on average it is not severe, it may lead to other skin disorders like eczema. There are many causes of dry skin , and the signs and symptoms can vary greatly depending on the cause, age, and health status of the person. Dry skin generally feels tight and rough. The skin may become ashy grey in colour and have desquamation, itching, redness, wrinkles and small cracks. People with dry skin may notice its following symptoms:

Feels tight or dry, especially after bathing or swimming
Flakes, itches, or cracks
Looks dull, rough, or ashy

3. Oily:

This skin type has a shiny look and feels greasy after touching the skin. People with oily skin have excess sebum production. They also tend to have larger pores on skin, mostly oil skin observed in youngsters under the age of 30 and usually they will have acne. People with oily skin may notice its following symptoms:

Feels greasy and appeached shiny
Has large pores that clog easily
Is prone to pimple or blackheads
Oily skin tends to have blemishes.

Oily skin can be triggered by various factors: Genetics, hormonal changes and imbalance, medication, stress, and comedogenic cosmetics too.

4. Sensitive:

When it comes to sensitive skin, the skin is easily irritated. You may experience hives or breakouts. Some people develop frequent allergic reactions. Others have excess redness and irritation. Sensitive skin is more likely to react to certain products. It is a fragile skin that is prone to reacting to stimuli that normal skin does not experience. Sensitive skin feels uncomfortable, such as heat, tightness, redness, and itching. While the skin is delicate and needs special care, it can also be dry, itchy, cracked, rough and its usual appearance. Sensitive skin includes burning, stinging, or itching; visible reactions to substances, such as bumps, hives, or peeling. Oily and dry skin can both have sensitive skin, but it is most common in people with dry skin.

5. Combination:

If you feel that sometimes skin can appear oily in some areas, while other areas may be dry, then your skin type would be a combination. Oily areas include the forehead, nose, and chin, collectively known as the T-zone. The cheeks or other areas may feel normal or dry.

How to define which skin type you have?

Here are some steps to follow which will help you know about your skin type:

1.Wash your face with regular face wash.

2.Use a dry towel to clean.

3.Notice how your skin looks and feels immediately after washing.

4.Now wait for an hour, don’t apply any product in between and don’t touch your face.

5.Keep a note of how these changes over time.

6.Pat the dry tissue paper on your overall face.

Finally, it’s time to know about your skin type, interpret what you see:

1. Normal:

Skin will look clear, even tone and texture will not feel tight or irritated after washing. After a few hours the skin will feel hydrated.

2. Dry:

After 2 steps, the skin feels tight. It might also have a dull, rough or flaky look after a few hours. Easily scratchy skin.

3. Oily:

After washing the skin will have a matte look. Later, after a few hours, the skin feels greasy and has a shiny appearance. After using tissue paper it will absorb oil. It will show the stains on tissue paper.

4. Sensitive:

If your skin is sensitive, you will find red, possibly dry and easily irritated. Mostly after applying certain types of products.

5. Combination:

A few hours after washing the T-Zone will be oily, tissue will have oily patches in the T-zone but the rest of the face will dry and flaky.

Overall, when we visit skin care experts or dermatologists, they determine a person’s skin type conditions. Now you can treat your skin according to your skin type. Choose the product matching to your skin type and address skin condition.