What is My Skin Type and How Do I Know?
Did you know you're born with your skin type, and it never changes? Yes your skin may go through hormonal or seasonal changes, but your skin type will always be the same. Skin types are categorized as dry skin, normal skin, oily skin, and combination skin. It's important to be knowledgeable about your skin so you can learn how to best take care of it. Let's get into how you can determine your own skin type.
The size and location of your pores is one of the easiest ways to tell your skin type. Also just paying attention to how your skin looks and feels throughout the day can be beneficial.
Normal Skin
Normal skin is the skin type most people have, and its also the ideal skin type. This means means the skin has a good oil-water balance. It is normal for this skin type to fluctuate to a little drier or a little oiler. The pore size will be small to medium, and they are visible just outside of the t-zone. If you are looking straight ahead and your pores only extend from your nose to the middle of your eye, you have normal skin. Maintenance and preventative care is the best way to go if you have a normal skin type.
Dry Skin
Dry skin means your skin doesn't produce enough oil. The pore size is usually small or even not visible at all. If you have dry skin, you will only notice your pores in the center of your face on your nose, and not past that. Dry skin needs extra protection, so using occlusive products that are thick and sit on top of the skin is the best way to go, this will help protect your skin's top barrier layer. This will also help with trans-epidermal water loss.
Oily Skin
Oily skin is characterized by excess sebum production. The pore size is larger, and will be visible over most of the face. Oily skin requires more exfoliation than other skin types. It is more prone to blemishes because the pores get clogged with oil and the buildup of dead skin cells. A lot of people have an oily skin type and think they have dry skin, when really they're just dehydrated. There is a big difference between the two; dry skin lacks oil where dehydrated skin lacks water. Oily skin needs water based products to even out oil production. Be sure not to over cleanse; this will strip your skin of all its oil. Remember that the goal for any skin type is to balance your lipid barrier.
Combination Skin
Combination skin is just what it sounds like; a combination of both dry and oily skin. Most people experience their dryness on their cheeks, and the oiliness on the t-zone. You might notice your pores extend past your eyes on some parts of your face, but not others.
It can be super overwhelming when you're trying to purchase the correct products without confidently knowing your skin type, so I hope this guide was helpful. We have products for every skin type here at Ali and Co! Book a skin consultation or come in and we can help you get the perfect products for your skin :)