Skin Types 101 - or - More About Skin
Skin Types
Whether a skin is “normal” dry, oily or a combination of those is dependent on the amount of oil and moisture being produced.
Normal skin is one that has a healthy or balanced amount of water and lipids, with very few visible follicles or imperfections and never becomes too shiny, dry or irritated.
Dry skin also has no visible follicles, feels tight and with less oil being produced than is necessary to protect the skin from dryness, it can be flaky, scaly, rough and at times sensitive, often becoming worse with age.
Oily skin produces too much oil which creates unwanted shininess and can become sticky, and clogged creating enlarged follicles. It can become problematic and worsen by stress, weather, medications and hormonal changes such as puberty, menopause, and pregnancy.
Combination skin types are those that are normal in some areas and dry, oily or sensitive in others.
Norm/Oily skin is balanced overall, with areas of oiliness and shine. It can be prone to breakouts and blackheads if not cleansed and cared for properly. There tend to be more oil glands along the nose, chin and between the eyebrows, and across the forehead, creating an oily “T-zone area” for those with normal to oily skin.
Norm/Dry is best characterized as a basic normal skin with areas or patches of dryness which occur under certain conditions or weather changes. Skin will tend to become most dry or rough on the outer areas as there are fewer oil glands present.
Age and hormones will affect skin type and change its needs. The amount of oil produced begins to increase at puberty, peaking in early adulthood, and diminishing with age. There are other factors, such as stress, hygiene, environment, and weather. For example, if you live in a very humid area, you may feel very moist and require one type of cleansing routine, if you then change environments and move to the desert or a high altitude where it is very dry, you could experience an extreme change in skin type overnight. The same is true with the change of seasons in extreme temperature fluctuations or drastic changes. For this reason, it’s important to take these things into consideration and change your skin care regimen to address the changing environment and the needs of your skin.
By understanding your own unique skin type, you’ll be better equipped to care for your skin and make the informed choices necessary to save you time and money while improving your choices and outcomes.