When it comes to caring for your skin, it is very important to make sure the products you are using are right for your skin type.
Here, I’ll share how you can work out what your skin type is, and why it is important to get it right.
Why is it Important to Use the Right Skincare Products For Your Skin Type?
Using the wrong products for your skin can cause you a lot more problems than they will solve. Products can be too gentle or too harsh for your skin type, or may cause irritation.
For example, if you have oily skin, but use a gentle cleanser intended for dry skin, then your skin might not get as deep clean as it needs. Your pores might be left still clogged, making spots form. Conversely, if you use a cleanser that is too harsh for your skin, it can strip away too much oil and make your skin oilier than before. This is because your skin will try to overcompensate for the lack of natural oils and produce an excess in response.
For products like moisturiser, if you use one that is too thick for your skin it can either clog your pores and cause greasiness, or, over time, it can actually reduce your natural oil production, making your skin too dry.
If you have sensitive skin, certain products should be avoided. For example, people with sensitive skin should not use products with essential oils in them, as they can be an irritant.
As you can see, using the right products for your skin type is pretty important.
What is my Skin Type?
The easiest way to work out your skin type is to clean your face with a mild cleanser and gently pat it dry. Do not use any further products (like moisturiser or serum), just leave your face bare for around 30 minutes to an hour.
At this point, examine your skin and see how it looks and feels. If it feels oily and looks shiny, then you have an oily skin type. Another characteristic of oily skin is having enlarged pores. If your skin is dry, looks flaky and feels tight, then you have dry skin.
It is possible to have combination skin, a mixture of dry and oily skin – in fact – this is the most common skin type. Combination skin is characterised by an oily T-zone (forehead and nose), with drier skin around the cheeks.
Normal skin types will be not too oily and not too dry. If you have a normal skin type, then you aren’t prone to breakouts around your cheeks.
You have sensitive skin if it looks red, inflamed and irritated. Your skin may be itchy. Another tell-tale sign is that you have bad reactions to certain products, especially those that are fragranced.
My Skin Type
Here is a picture of me 30 minutes after washing my face, but not applying further products. As you can see, my forehead and cheeks are noticeably shiny. My skin feels oily to the touch and not washing sufficiently leads to breakouts.
I hope this has helped you to work out what your skin type is! If you still have questions, feel free to drop me a comment below or reach out on my social media channels!
