What Skin Type Are You?

When choosing what type of products to put onto your skin it is important to determine exactly what type of skin you actually have. There are a number of characteristics that can be used to determine skin type.  So grab a mirror  and look for the following:

Normal Skin is characterized by:

· uniform texture and coloring

· a clean, smooth, clear appearance without being too oily or too dry

· few lines or wrinkles

· small pores

· very few blemishes and blackheads

Dry Skin is usually characterized by:

· flaky patches of skin

· fine lines and wrinkles

· a dull, rough look

· tight and dry feel

· small or invisible pores

Sensitive or mature skin types are usually dry.

Oily Skin is characterized by:

· an oily feel

· a shiny look

· larger, more visible pores

· very few lines or wrinkles

· frequent blemishes and blackheads

Combination Skin is characterized by:

· oily skin characteristics at the forehead, nose and chin (the T-zone)

· normal or dry skin over the rest of the face

Now it must be remembered that skin type can and does change over time according to age, climate, environmental factors, lifestyle and even the type of skin care you are currently using.

Factors that influence skin type:

Age:

Skin type usually changes with age. Younger people tend to have oily or combination skin. As we get older our sebaceous glands produce less sebum, resulting in drier skin

Season:

Dry skin tends to be more pronounced during the winter months and improve during the summer months.

Climate:

Exposure to extremely dry climates with low relative humidity can increase skin sensitivity and dryness. Dry or sensitive skin tends to improve in climates with higher relative humidity.

Environment:

Exposure to cold temperatures and strong wind can dry skin out. Sun exposure can initially dry out oily skin, but excessive sun exposure over time will increase oil production.

Hormone Variation:

Many skin problems can be triggered or worsened by hormone variations. Stress can trigger hormonal activity, which can result in increased sebaceous gland activity. Hormonal changes which take place during puberty and pregnancy can also stimulate increased sebum production.

Skin Care

Improper skin care can exaggerate any skin condition or skin type. Excessive exfoliation or application of heavy, rich moisturizers on oily skin will stimulate oil production. Bathing or showering in excessively hot water or not using a good moisturizer will dry skin out. Using skin care products that contain harsh or irritating ingredients will increase skin sensitivity. Every skin type benefits from proper skin care. Maintaining a good skin care regimen will help skin achieve a balance - not too oily, not too dry.