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Skin Types

 

 

Skin Types

 

 

nadia louise webIt is important before buying any skin care products or makeup that you know which skin type you have. If you go to a salon for treatment the therapist will analyse your skin and then use the most appropriate products for your skin type. This will help to keep your skin in the best condition and prevent any irritation occurring.

Unfortunately once we reach puberty our hormones begin to have an effect on our bodies. Our skin type can change with the fluctuating hormones at different times in our lives. For women this happens at puberty, before and during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. For young men the major changes take place at puberty. Our skin condition can change from flawless to spotty in no time at all! 

In general there are FIVE basic skin types and they all have certain characteristics. To help you recognise your own skin type look at the following characteristics and decide which type you may be.

 

 

Normal Skin Type

  • Looks smooth and even textured
  • The colour is even
  • It feels neither greasy nor dry
  • It is soft and supple
  • It has a high degree of elasticity
  • Doesn’t react to external stimuli  

Dry Skin Type

  • Dull looking complexion
  • May appear flaky in places
  • No sign of oil on the skin
  • Small pore size
  • Feels tight after washing
  • Fine lines appear prematurely particularly round the eyes 

Oily Skin Type

  • Sallow in colour
  • Shiny skin
  • Thick texture
  • Excess oil production
  • Open pores
  • Prone to spots and blemishes 

Sensitive Skin Type

  • Pale in colour
  • Translucent appearance
  • May have areas of high colouring
  • Prone to broken capillaries
  • Easily irritated 

Combination Skin Type

  • Evidence of more than one skin type
  • Oily centre panel
  • Dry, sensitive or normal elsewhere
  • Large pores in some areas
  • Different skin textures

Other skin conditions and their characteristics are:

 

 

Dehydrated Skin Condition

 

  • An extreme form of dry skin
  • The epidermis is lacking water
  • The surface of the skin is excessively flaky and dry
  • It feels very tight
  • Skin may crack
  • Skin wrinkles prematurely
  • Has a poor water holding capacity

 

 

Rosacea

  • Redness on the cheeks and across the nose
  • Broken capillaries on the face
  • Papules and pustules
  • Watery blood shot eyes in some cases
  • Rhinophyma ( large nose) in extreme cases

This condition is aggravated by some or all of the following:

 

-  Extremes of temperature

-  Extreme weather conditions

-  Hot drinks and alcohol

-  Spicy foods

-  Stress

-  Physical exertion

-  Medical conditions such as menopause

-  Some cosmetic products containing perfume, alcohol or acetone

 

When analysing your own skin look at the following characteristics to help you decide which type you are:

 

Colour - the paler the colour the more sensitive the skin will be, the more sallow the colour the more likely it is to be oily. If the skin is very red or becomes red very easily it is sensitive.

 

Texture - the thicker the skin texture the more oily it is likely to be, the thinner the skin the more dry or sensitive it is. If your skin feels rough then it is drier and if it feels smooth and moist then it is probably oily. The skin may also feel very coarse and bumpy if there are scars left from an acne skin condition.

 

Pore size - the larger the pore size the more oily your skin is likely to be and the finer and less evident the pore size is, indicates a dry to sensitive skin type.