With so many products on the market, it is still difficult to determine which ones are the best for your skin type. This task can be even more troublesome if you aren’t quite sure what your skin type is. There are some skin types that are very apparent such as really oily or really dry skin. However, most people fall somewhere in the middle with combination skin. In order to accurately discover your specific skin type, here are a few simple steps that you can take to customize a perfect skin care regimen for your skin.
You always want to start off with a clean base. Therefore, you need to wash your face thoroughly and remove all make-up. Use a face cleanser that truly penetrates your pores to get rid of any dirt and bacteria. After you have washed your face, wait an hour before you apply any products. This will allow you to get a true reading of your skin type because it will revert to its natural state. After an hour, you want to dab your face focusing on your T-Zone with a tissue or thin cloth. If you notice that there is oil on the tissue, then you might have oily or combination skin. Now if you have dry skin, your face will feel tight and stretched. You will be able to determine if you have combination skin if your face gets oily throughout the day.
If you notice that your face becomes red, flaky, and patchy then you most likely have dry/sensitive skin. However, if you notice your face is red, oily, and patchy then you have oily/sensitive skin. Another indicator of skin type is pore size. If you have normal skin, your pores will be visible but not enlarged compared to oily skin. If your pores aren’t visible at all then you are likely to have dry skin. Having different pore sizes is the result of having combination skin. Lastly, you can try pinching your skin to determine your skin type. If your skin easily wrinkles after you apply pressure then you have dry or combination skin, whereas if nothing happens then you have oily skin. If you still aren’t sure what your skin type is, you can always ask a dermatologist to assess your skin type.
Once you have determined what your skin type is you can use the appropriate products. If you have dry skin, you want to use products that are moisturizing. You should moisturize at least twice day, preferably in the morning and in the night so that your skin is hydrated all day long. If you have oily skin you need to cleanse your face every morning and every night. Make sure to use a gentle cleanser, especially if you have sensitive skin. Use lukewarm water and massage the cleanser into your skin thoroughly. A general rule of thumb for any skin type is to use fragrance free products because they can often irritate the skin. Lastly and most importantly, make sure to drink lots of water and stay hydrated throughout the day — your skin will truly reflect it!
