Recent Posts

04 September 2012

Makeup 101: Knowing Your Skin Type

Before any treatment or daily regimen, or even before the basics of makeup, it is essential to know your skin type. This will help you choose on what products to use. Some products may not be applicable to a certain skin type that may cause injury to the skin. The type of your skin is MOST of the time genetically determined-- meaning you are born with it.

What skin type do you have?

1. NORMAL SKIN


Normal skin has a smooth texture, no visible blemishes or pores, has an even tone, is soft and has no dry flaky areas or greasy patches. Normal skin is the ideal skin type and has a clear, supple and smooth surface. It is fine textured and neither oily nor dry. The skin glows and is beautiful and radiant. There may be occasional hormonal outbreaks before your period but this would not include acne. This type of skin is the goal of most people. If you weren’t born with normal skin you can still work towards having the characteristics of normal skin. It requires regular facials and an at home regimen that is ongoing in addition to chemical peels and microdermabrasion. For people with normal skin nourishing it is essential to keeping a translucent glow as you age. Neglect can lead to signs of aging and wrinkling. (source: http://www.skin90210.com/)

HOW TO TEST: To determine your type, use a simple test with a clean facial tissue (or paper) to wipe your face in the morning, when you have just woken up: If you skin belongs to a normal type, the tissue will not reveal any traces of oil. Your skin should feel vibrant, elastic, and supple.


2. DRY SKIN



Dry Dehydrated Skin and Mature Skin
As we age our skin goes through many changes. We produce a lower level of sebum (oil) and we can be prone to sensitivity. Depending on the degree of dryness and amount of sun exposure we’ve had throughout our life time, the skin will look parched and may have some flaking. The skin will feel even drier during the winter, after flying, from air conditioning, and exposure to the sun and wind. Dry skin will most likely age quicker and show expression lines around the eyes and mouth quicker then someone with oily skin. The good news is you have probably escaped any pimples or major breakouts in your life. Dry skin can also look dull because the oil glands aren’t producing enough lubrication to the skin. Many people have dry skin when they’re younger as well and this is where genetics plays a big roll. (sorce: http://www.skin90210.com)
HOW TO TEST: To determine your type, use a simple test with a clean facial tissue (or paper) to wipe your face in the morning, when you have just woken up: If your skin is dry, the paper will be clean, too, but your face skin will feel flaky, dry, and tight after you have wiped it.

3. OILY SKIN

Oily or Acne Prone Skin
Oily skin is usually shiny, thick, has big pores, and is prone to blemishes. In this type of skin, the sebaceous glands are overactive and produce more oil than is needed. There are several factors that contribute to oily skin and enlarged pores. Genetics, hormone levels, products that you use on your skin, hot or humid weather, and diet. Because of hormonal shifts in teenagers, oily skin is quite common and then begins to slow down with age. Hormonal imbalances are also quite common during pregnancy and menopause and can cause the oil sebaceous glands to be overactive. When the dead skin cells fall into the pores and mix with the excess oil the result is blemishes and or acne. (source: http://www.skin90210.com)
HOW TO TEST: To determine your type, use a simple test with a clean facial tissue (or paper) to wipe your face in the morning, when you have just woken up: If you have oily skin, the paper will have spots of facial oil on it, corresponding to the areas of your cheeks, nose, and forehead.Oily skin is problematic – it usually looks greasy, thick, coarse, and shiny, has enlarged pores, and tends to break into acne.

4. COMBINATION SKIN

Combination skin occurs when two or more different skin types occur on your face at the same time. Typically, combination skin is when some parts of your face are dry or flaky, while the center part of your face, nose, chin, and forehead (called the T-zone) is oily. Combination skin can also describe conditions where wrinkles and breakouts or rosacea and dry skin are present at the same time. (source: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/)
HOW TO TEST: To determine your type, use a simple test with a clean facial tissue (or paper) to wipe your face in the morning, when you have just woken up: If you skin is combination, like that of most women, the tissue will have traces of oil coming from your nose and forehead, but will be clean in the areas that touched your cheeks.

5. SENSITIVE SKIN

Sensitive skin tends to be thin, and delicate with fine pores. If you are easily irritated by the sun, certain cosmetic products and if you are prone to redness, itchy patches or blotchy skin, you likely have sensitive skin. (source: http://beauty.about.com/)
HOW TO TEST: To determine your type, use a simple test with a clean facial tissue (or paper) to wipe your face in the morning, when you have just woken up: Sensitive skin is usually very dry, tends to feel tight, and becomes inflamed and irritated easily. Typically, sensitive skin develops reddish and scaly areas, can be itchy and tingly, and is prone to breaking into spots. It is the most problematic and fragile type of skin, which needs a very special type of care. To get the right body products for this skin type too requires great research.

No comments:

Post a Comment