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In order for the skin to be flawless, it needs to be looked after 24/7. And remember: all efforts will be in vain if cosmetics do not match the type of skin. Let’s help identify it.
Characteristics of skin types
The type of skin is laid genetically, but its features can change throughout life under the influence of various circumstances:
hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, menopause;
with a sharp change in climate;
under the influence of lifestyle and eating habits, including harmful ones;
as a result of stress that most of us no longer even notice.
Monitor the condition of your skin and focus on its condition when choosing products for care.
How to determine the condition of the skin at the moment? Cleanse your face, sit in front of a mirror and examine your reflection.
Normal skin
There are no visible flaws on it:
color – uniform, relief – smooth;
skin texture – matte, with a slight radiance.
Dry skin
Even with the naked eye you can see that it is thin and delicate, pores are practically not visible on it. Until a certain age, beautiful porcelain skin without a single pimple is an obvious advantage.
But don’t be fooled. Dry skin is often sensitive because it lacks lipids to prevent moisture from evaporating from the surface of the epidermis.
The skin can be dry, oily, normal, combination.
In addition, dry skin fades faster, doctors even have a characteristic of this type of aging – fine wrinkles.
Oily skin
Oily skin looks tight, and even without a magnifying mirror it is easy to see enlarged pores and blackheads on it. Her eternal companions:
excessive shine;
uneven texture;
earthy complexion;
rashes that often become inflamed.
Oily skin, paradoxically, is also dehydrated and even sensitive, especially with aggressive care, that is, the abuse of alcohol tonics, scrubs, products with acids and retinol.
All these imperfections pay off with one big plus: oily skin ages much more slowly and is not prone to the formation of premature wrinkles.
Combination skin
This is the most common type, combining signs of oily skin in the T-zone (nose, forehead, chin) and dry or normal skin in the U-zone (cheekbones and cheeks). Care for such skin should also be combined, the main thing is to choose the right products for each part of the face.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive, that is, poorly protected from aggressive environmental factors, can be any type of skin – dry, oily, normal or combination.
A characteristic sign of sensitive skin is an acute reaction to a change in climate or cosmetics, new food, stress, alcohol: the face turns red, itching and dryness may appear on the chin and cheeks.
Throughout life, the type and condition of the skin can change.
Skin Type Test
Still not sure what skin type you have? Try to honestly assess her condition.
А
The skin is matte, without oily sheen.
There is no feeling of tightness after washing.
Pimples and inflammation do not bother.
After a walk, the skin of the face does not turn red.
Б
There are no pimples.
Often after washing there is a feeling of tightness.
The skin reacts with redness to some foods.
After a long stay in the sun or in the wind, the skin begins to peel off.
W
Pimples and blackheads are your constant companions.
You have already tried all methods of dealing with oily sheen, but to no avail.
Enlarged pores are visible to the naked eye.
After cleansing, the skin begins to shine.
Г
The skin on the cheeks, temples and around the eyes is often flaky.
There are black dots on the forehead, nose and chin.
The T-zone is oily.
Once a month, or even more often, pimples appear on the chin, nose and forehead.
If you answered yes to most of the questions:
in the block А – you normal skin type.
in the block Б – you dry skin type.
in the block В – you fatty skin type.
in the block Г – you combined skin type.
How cosmetologists determine skin type
An experienced beautician is able to determine the type of your skin visually, but still be sure to ask a few questions. Additional digital diagnostics, for example, video dermatoscopy, consists in examining the skin under high magnification in order to carefully examine the texture of the skin, the condition of the pores, age spots, and micro-exfoliation invisible to the eye. With the help of various nozzles, you can even measure the degree of greasiness and dehydration.
The beautician can determine the type of skin visually and with the help of dermatoscopy.
How cosmetics affect the skin
Doctors are unanimous: with regular use, well-chosen cosmetics can correct problems that are characteristic of any skin type. For example, to reduce the production of fat and mattify oily skin, and in the case of dry skin, to form a protective hydrolipidic film and eliminate discomfort.
When choosing cosmetics, it is important to focus on two parameters:
medium texture: for oily skin, light non-comedogenic products are suitable, for dry skin, saturated, providing comfort;
active ingredients: they are responsible for the declared result.
Care for different skin types
Properly selected cosmetic products can reduce discomfort and temporarily improve the appearance of the skin or completely eliminate the problem.
Normal
No enlarged pores, no comedones, no acne – it’s no surprise that girls with normal skin often take skincare lightly. And absolutely in vain. To preserve the gift of nature, do not neglect the basic rules of care. Look for products labeled “for normal skin.”
Micellar cleansing gel, Garnier
The product is enriched with natural grape extract and micelles. Suitable for all skin types. Apply to damp skin, lather the gel with a little water, massage lightly in circular motions and rinse.
Equalizing Toner, SkinCeuticals
Refreshes the skin, maintains a protective pH level, eliminates impurities. Contains natural extracts of witch hazel, thyme, cucumber, kiwi, aloe and chamomile. Suitable for men’s skin. Apply to a cotton pad, treat the previously cleansed skin of the face, neck, décolleté.
Moisturizer for normal and combination skin Aquasource Cream, Biotherm
Suitable as a base for make-up. Thermal plankton extract adds radiance, moisturizes and has antioxidant properties. Apply daily in the morning and/or evening to cleansed face and neck, avoiding the eye area.
Dry
Owners of dry skin should be careful to use products with acids and retinol, they can cause irritation and discomfort. Moisturizing and nourishing is what dry skin needs.
Use SPF cream 365 days a year, as UVA rays are harmful no matter the weather. Clouds and glass are not a barrier for them.
Look for the label “hypoallergenic” on the cream packaging.
At night, it is better to use a cream with pronounced lipid-restoring properties.
For deep cleansing of the skin, use delicate exfoliants.
Soft gel-cream “Absolute tenderness”, L’Oréal Paris
Gently removes impurities, soothes and softens the skin. Does not cause allergies and dryness. Use to cleanse skin and remove make-up.
Facial tonic “Basic care. Rose water”, soothing, vitamin, Garnier
Made from 96% natural ingredients, including soothing rose water. Use it to complete your make-up removal routine to tone your skin and prepare it for cream application.
Nourishing cream for deep recovery dry and very dry skin Nutritic Intense Riche, La Roche-Posay
Compensates for the lack of lipids and moisture, instantly brings a feeling of comfort. Apply on frosty days 30-60 minutes before leaving the house.
Oily
When choosing an effective product for oily skin, remember that it needs products marked “non-comedogenic”. Be very careful when using products with oils.
Micellar water “Clean skin”, Garnier
Designed for oily and combination skin prone to imperfections. Together with make-up particles, micelles remove excess sebum and impurities.
Cream-gel for problem skin with the first signs of aging Normaderm, Vichy
Contains lipohydroxy- and glycolic acid, frees pores from accumulated impurities, reduces oily sheen. Thanks to vitamin C, it fights uneven tone and free radicals.
Purifying Mattifying Mask Effaclar, La Roche-Posay
Reduces pores, absorbs excess sebum thanks to two types of mineral clay included in the composition. Suitable for very sensitive skin.
Combined
When choosing a product for combination skin, keep in mind that the T-zone is usually oily, with enlarged pores, and the cheeks and eye area are prone to dryness.
You need products marked “combination skin”.
It is worth using combined moisturizing: for dry areas, a rich moisturizer is suitable, for oily areas, a light gel or fluid.
Mask “Magic of Clay. Detox and Radiance, L’Oréal Paris
Thanks to the content of three types of clay and eucalyptus extract at once, the mask cleanses the pores, restores the mineral balance of the skin. Use 1-2 times a week.
Cream with a light texture “Luxury food”, L’Oréal Paris
Oils, calcium and jasmine extract help maintain lipid balance and stimulate skin regeneration. Apply the product on pre-cleansed face skin.
Moisturizing, mattifying, sebum-regulating emulsion Effaclar Mat, La Roche-Posay
Effectively fights imperfections. Contains components with anti-inflammatory action and sebum-regulating action. Suitable for sensitive skin.