Ananda Mahony
NaomiWork out your skin type
December 2nd 2008 07:29
Skin type is predominantly a genetic trait. Generally our skin type doesn't change much over our lifetime. Nutritional status, our overall health, external factors such as sun damage and aging can cause changes in the integrity of our skin and our skin type may change as throughout your life. It is important to reassess your skin type so that you use the appropriate products. Using products that don’t suit your basic skin type can actually cause problems.
There are four key skin types: oily, combination, normal and dry. In addition to the basic skin types, there are skin issues which include congestion, sensitivity and dehydration. The characteristics of each skin type and issue are listed below. Please remember however, that every skin type is different and if you feel that you don’t fit into any of these types or have any of these issues, contact our skin specialist, who will assist you with a personalized skin analysis and product prescription.
Oily Skin – producing too much oil
Large or open pores
An oily appearance by midday or into the afternoon
Prone to blackheads, whiteheads and congestion
Possibly pustules
One of the common issues with oily skin is the use of creams that are too rich for the skin. The misconception is that a rich or heavy cream (by rich I mean including butters and waxes) will have a better moisturising effect. Regardless of the "richness" of a product, if it is chosen to correctly match the skin type, the moisture content and nutritional status of the skin will improve.
The other common misconception with oily skin is that not using a moisturiser at all will help reduce oilyness. Oily skins still need skin nutrition, moisture in the form of water and ingredients that will help to control sebum, the factor that creates "shine". A good moisturiser for oily will do all of these things.
The benefit of oily skin is that those with oily skin will tend to age more gracefully than their drier-skinned counterparts.
Click here to view products suited to an oily skin type
Combination skin - the most common skin type
Oily T-section or nose/chin and drier cheeks and eye area OR oily T-section and normal nose/chin skin
A tendency towards enlarged pores and blackheads on the t- zone.
Cheeks may feel comfortable in Summer or dry in Winter, depending on the humidity.
Many with combination skin tend to go for richer creams to help moisturise the drier sections of skin but this causes issues such as clogging and breakouts with the oily sections. A light but highly nourishing moisturiser combined with an eye cream is a better option than a rich cream. The other thing that is important is regular but gentle exfoliation to get rid of the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. On drier skin this is important to allow mositurisers to penetrate more easily. With the oily skin areas, it stops the buildup of dead skin cells in open pores.
Click here to view products for combination skin
Dry Skin – needs more oil
Never gets shiny - has a matte appearance all over.
Has very small or invisible pores.
May also feel tight or uncomfortable.
Can be prone to fine, crepey lines.
Dry skin lacks both sebum and moisture due to insufficient production by the sebaceous glands which reduces the cells ability to hold onto moisture. Usually dry skin is delicate with small or no obvious pores and quite fine textured. However, due to the lack of moisture and oil, it is likely to show obvious signs of aging sooner than other skin types such as wrinkles and fine lines. There may also be red or flaky patches evident.
First and foremost it is important with dry skin to prevent further drying out of the skin. To do this it is important to avoid alcohol based products as they worsen dryness. Daily moisturising is essential. It prevents moisture loss and supplies the skin with essential nutrients and oils to keep the cells well nourished. A healthy cell is more likely to hold onto moisture. Avoid foaming cleansers in general and particularly those containing sodium lauryl sulphate as they will disrupt the acid mantle and again reduce the moisture holding capacity of the skin.
Other tips include drinking enough water and eating plenty of essential fatty acids which are found in nuts & seeds, fish and flax oil.
Click here to view products for dry skin
Normal Skin - Neither oily nor dry
A smooth and even texture
Has small to medium pores.
May also get a little shiny on the T-zone towards late afternoon.
Occasionally be little dry on the cheeks.
Have the occasional pimple or blackhead.
Click here to view products for normal skin
Skin Issues
Dehydrated Skin
If your skin lacks radiance and feels "tight" it is likely that it is dehydrated. The appearance of fine lines due to loss of elasticity and flexibility are other key signs of dehydrated skin. Moisture evaporates readily through the skin, and if we don't stop this occurrence our skin loses its ability to protect against the outside environment leading to even more moisture loss and in the long term, actual skin damage due to poor cellular integrity. Check for these signs:
Flakiness
Fine, crepey lines on the surface of the skin
A dull complexion
Click here to view products suited to dehydrated skin
Sensitive Skin
Heightened skin sensitivity and adverse reactions to certain irritants characterizes sensitive skin. Common skin irritants include detergents, certain skin care ingredients particularly synthetics and petrochemical ingredients and environmental factors such as heat, sun exposure, cold and wind. There is a strong correlation between dry skin and sensitive skin. Those with thin or finely textured skin are more prone to skin sensitivity. Common characteristics of sensitivity include:
Red or blotchy skin
Easily reacts to certain skin care products
Stinging or uncomfortable sensations, particularly after cleansing
Prone to rashes and irritations
Reddening or burning skin as a result of sun, heat, cold or wind
Fine lines, spots or freckles that worsen with age
Click here to view products for sensitive skin
Congested Skin
Skin congestion is characterised by blocked pores, dull skin, uneven skin, blackheads and whiteheads.
Click here to view products for congested skin
There are four key skin types: oily, combination, normal and dry. In addition to the basic skin types, there are skin issues which include congestion, sensitivity and dehydration. The characteristics of each skin type and issue are listed below. Please remember however, that every skin type is different and if you feel that you don’t fit into any of these types or have any of these issues, contact our skin specialist, who will assist you with a personalized skin analysis and product prescription.
Oily Skin – producing too much oil
Large or open pores
An oily appearance by midday or into the afternoon
Prone to blackheads, whiteheads and congestion
Possibly pustules
One of the common issues with oily skin is the use of creams that are too rich for the skin. The misconception is that a rich or heavy cream (by rich I mean including butters and waxes) will have a better moisturising effect. Regardless of the "richness" of a product, if it is chosen to correctly match the skin type, the moisture content and nutritional status of the skin will improve.
The other common misconception with oily skin is that not using a moisturiser at all will help reduce oilyness. Oily skins still need skin nutrition, moisture in the form of water and ingredients that will help to control sebum, the factor that creates "shine". A good moisturiser for oily will do all of these things.
The benefit of oily skin is that those with oily skin will tend to age more gracefully than their drier-skinned counterparts.
Click here to view products suited to an oily skin type
Combination skin - the most common skin type
Oily T-section or nose/chin and drier cheeks and eye area OR oily T-section and normal nose/chin skin
A tendency towards enlarged pores and blackheads on the t- zone.
Cheeks may feel comfortable in Summer or dry in Winter, depending on the humidity.
Many with combination skin tend to go for richer creams to help moisturise the drier sections of skin but this causes issues such as clogging and breakouts with the oily sections. A light but highly nourishing moisturiser combined with an eye cream is a better option than a rich cream. The other thing that is important is regular but gentle exfoliation to get rid of the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. On drier skin this is important to allow mositurisers to penetrate more easily. With the oily skin areas, it stops the buildup of dead skin cells in open pores.
Click here to view products for combination skin
Dry Skin – needs more oil
Never gets shiny - has a matte appearance all over.
Has very small or invisible pores.
May also feel tight or uncomfortable.
Can be prone to fine, crepey lines.
Dry skin lacks both sebum and moisture due to insufficient production by the sebaceous glands which reduces the cells ability to hold onto moisture. Usually dry skin is delicate with small or no obvious pores and quite fine textured. However, due to the lack of moisture and oil, it is likely to show obvious signs of aging sooner than other skin types such as wrinkles and fine lines. There may also be red or flaky patches evident.
First and foremost it is important with dry skin to prevent further drying out of the skin. To do this it is important to avoid alcohol based products as they worsen dryness. Daily moisturising is essential. It prevents moisture loss and supplies the skin with essential nutrients and oils to keep the cells well nourished. A healthy cell is more likely to hold onto moisture. Avoid foaming cleansers in general and particularly those containing sodium lauryl sulphate as they will disrupt the acid mantle and again reduce the moisture holding capacity of the skin.
Other tips include drinking enough water and eating plenty of essential fatty acids which are found in nuts & seeds, fish and flax oil.
Click here to view products for dry skin
Normal Skin - Neither oily nor dry
A smooth and even texture
Has small to medium pores.
May also get a little shiny on the T-zone towards late afternoon.
Occasionally be little dry on the cheeks.
Have the occasional pimple or blackhead.
Click here to view products for normal skin
Skin Issues
Dehydrated Skin
If your skin lacks radiance and feels "tight" it is likely that it is dehydrated. The appearance of fine lines due to loss of elasticity and flexibility are other key signs of dehydrated skin. Moisture evaporates readily through the skin, and if we don't stop this occurrence our skin loses its ability to protect against the outside environment leading to even more moisture loss and in the long term, actual skin damage due to poor cellular integrity. Check for these signs:
Flakiness
Fine, crepey lines on the surface of the skin
A dull complexion
Click here to view products suited to dehydrated skin
Sensitive Skin
Heightened skin sensitivity and adverse reactions to certain irritants characterizes sensitive skin. Common skin irritants include detergents, certain skin care ingredients particularly synthetics and petrochemical ingredients and environmental factors such as heat, sun exposure, cold and wind. There is a strong correlation between dry skin and sensitive skin. Those with thin or finely textured skin are more prone to skin sensitivity. Common characteristics of sensitivity include:
Red or blotchy skin
Easily reacts to certain skin care products
Stinging or uncomfortable sensations, particularly after cleansing
Prone to rashes and irritations
Reddening or burning skin as a result of sun, heat, cold or wind
Fine lines, spots or freckles that worsen with age
Click here to view products for sensitive skin
Congested Skin
Skin congestion is characterised by blocked pores, dull skin, uneven skin, blackheads and whiteheads.
Click here to view products for congested skin
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