Contents
Dry, oily, normal, combination, sensitive – every skin type needs individual care. We will explain below how a daily set of procedures for different skin types should look like.
The structure of the skin and its functions
As they like to write in magazine articles, the human skin is the largest organ of the body. It has a complex structure and performs several functions:
protects internal organs from mechanical damage and produces melanin to protect the body from ultraviolet rays;
removes mineral salts and other metabolic products through the pores along with sweat.
performs thermoregulation, that is, it protects against overheating and cooling.
synthesizes vitamin D, which is important for our health and well-being.
Take our quiz to find out what’s missing in your daily skincare routine.
human skin is the largest organ of the body
The skin is made up of three layers:
epidermis;
dermis;
subcutaneous fat.
Epidermis
The outer visible layer of the skin consists of stratified epithelium and protects the dermis from the adverse effects of the external environment. It is in this layer that most cosmetics work.
Dermis
This is the middle, main layer of the skin. The dermis is located between the epidermis and hypodermis (subcutaneous fatty tissue), its width is from 0,5 to 5 mm. Collagen and elastin are produced here, which form the building frame of our skin, and hyaluronic acid binds them.
Hypoderm
The fat layer of the body stores all the fat reserves of our body, and it is also responsible for the appearance of cellulite. The hypodermis is thickest on the hips, buttocks and feet. And in the area of the eyelids, neck and décolleté, it is practically absent.
The main types of facial skin
In dermatology and cosmetology, it is customary to distinguish 5 types of skin.
Normal
Has normal density.
Inflammation is rare.
Oily shine occurs only on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and practically does not bother.
Resistant to external stimuli: does not suffer from hot summers or cold winters.
Dry
The lipid layer is very thin, which is why the skin ages faster and becomes covered with a network of wrinkles.
The pores are almost invisible, the face almost never shines.
Often experiences a feeling of dryness, tightness, peeling and redness are not uncommon.
In dermatology and cosmetology, it is customary to distinguish 5 types of skin. © IStock
Oily
Very dense, easily tolerates peels and scrubs.
It has enlarged pores, after washing it begins to shine a couple of hours later.
Prone to comedones and acne.
Aging slowly.
Combined or mixed
It has oily (T-zone) and dry (U-zone) areas.
The pores are enlarged, but only in the T-zone.
Sometimes acne and black dots appear, especially in the period before and during menstruation.
reactive or sensitive
Often reacts with irritation, itching and redness to new cosmetic products.
Prone to allergies.
It has a thin lipid layer, so it regularly experiences dryness.
Dehydration and sensitivity are temporary characteristics that can be corrected with proper care.
Normal skin care
Happy owners of this type of skin need a minimum of funds. Particular attention should be paid to cleansing and moisturizing.
Purification
We recommend gentle products such as micellar water (for make-up remover) and cleansing mousse (for face wash). They cleanse the skin of impurities, but do not overdry it.
Moisturizing and nourishing
Hydration is the key to healthy skin. Get in the habit of using a moisturizer twice a day and a mask once or twice a week.
Additional care
Scrubs and acids stimulate the renewal of skin cells (this helps to even out the tone of the face and the appearance of a healthy glow) and work to prevent premature aging.
Products for normal skin
Gel-foam for the face “Basic care” with grape extract, Garnier refreshes the skin, removes impurities and excess sebum, provides a detox effect.
Facial fluid for normal to combination skin “Hydrating Genius”, L’Oréal Paris contains aloe juice and hyaluronic acid, provides the skin with moisture for 72 hours, does not leave a sticky film.
Care for dry skin
The main focus is on moisturizing and protecting the hydrolipid mantle of the skin.
Cleansing dry skin
The softer the cleanse, the better. Our favorite for cleansing dry skin is milk. Its creamy texture dissolves impurities without damaging the hydro-lipid layer, which is already thinned in dry skin.
Moisturizing and nourishing dry skin
Nourishing cream is necessary for dry skin no less than moisturizing. Without strengthening the protective barrier, it quickly loses moisture, and this should not be allowed.
Extra care for dry skin
Sunbathing for this type of skin is a bad idea (as, indeed, for any skin). Hide under an umbrella and use sunscreen with a maximum protection factor of SPF 50.
Products for dry skin
Cleansing foam Confort, Lancôme
Contains soothing rose extract, does not cause a feeling of tightness, refreshes the skin and makes it comfortable.
Intensively moisturizing day cream Aquasource Cream, Biotherm
Protects against aggressive environmental factors for a long time, intensively moisturizes and is perfect for summer thanks to its light texture.
Care for oily skin
Against oily sheen and a tendency to imperfections, thorough cleansing of the skin and control of sebum secretion are aimed.
Oily skin cleansing
Oily skin is not afraid of cleansing, but you should be more careful with aggressive surfactants and alcohols. They dehydrate the skin and, as a result, increase the production of sebum.
Mattifying and moisturizing oily skin
For oily skin, products with a light texture, such as gels or fluids, are ideal. They include sebum-regulating and anti-inflammatory components to normalize sebum secretion.
Extra care for oily skin
Oily skin loves deep cleansing and exfoliation. Use clay-based masks and products containing acids: salicylic, glycolic or lactic.
Products for oily skin
Micellar water “Clean skin”, Garnier not only eliminates impurities from the surface of the skin, but also regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands.
Moisturizing matting sebum-regulating emulsion Effaclar Mat, La Roche-Posay does not contain oily components, helps reduce oily sheen of the skin, tightens pores, reduces sebum production. Non-comedogenic.
Combination skin care
Perhaps the owners of such skin will need the most complex and multi-stage care, because the T-zone needs matting, and the U-zone needs intensive moisturizing.
Combination skin cleansing
Your ideal cleansing product is a mousse cleanser. It works delicately, but effectively enough to cope with all impurities and sebum.
Mattifying, moisturizing and nourishing combination skin
Do not be afraid to combine products: apply light moisturizing creams or fluids on the forehead, chin and T-zone, and nourish and protect the dry periphery of the face with a fat cream.
Extra care for combination skin
Like oily skin, combination skin takes deep cleansing and exfoliation well. Clean the pores on the nose and chin with clay masks, and with the help of scrubs and acid products, stimulate cell renewal and get rid of the dead stratum corneum.
Products for combination skin
Purifying universal remedy Pureté Thermale 3-in-1, Vichy removes even stubborn makeup, soothes and moisturizes. Designed for all skin types.
Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque, Kiehl’s Amazonian White Clay Mask suitable for deep cleansing, visibly tightens pores, helps to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin.
Sensitive skin care
If the skin reacts to unfamiliar cosmetics with redness, you are dealing with hypersensitivity. Care should be delicate, and the means should be gentle.
Sensitive Skin Cleansing
The key word in this process is “softness”, and milk or alkaline products with a pH level close to the skin’s own indicator are suitable for products.
Moisturizing and nourishing sensitive skin
If your skin is prone to allergies, then natural cosmetics with natural ingredients may not be suitable. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea or coconut oil – look for them, they definitely will not let you down.
Extra care for sensitive skin
In winter, do not forget to apply a dense nourishing cream before going outside. Use sunscreen all year round. If possible, apply moisturizing masks to the entire face and patches under the eyes a couple of times a week.
Products for sensitive skin
Micellar cleansing foam, La Roche-Posay instantly cleanses and soothes the skin, removes make-up well. It has a physiological pH level of 5,5.
Intensive soothing care for hypersensitive and allergic skin Toleriane Dermallergo, La Roche-Posay thanks to the composition with neurosensin, shea butter and squalane, it soothes, moisturizes, restores reactive skin.