How many times have you looked at product shelves and wondered, after all what is my skin type

Skin types

We know that sometimes understanding the difference between one skin type and the other might get confusing. We will help you understand how to differentiate the various skin types and also the most common skin conditions.

Normal Skin

Having a normal skin is considered ideal, although it is a very rare skin type.
This skin produces enough lipids to maintain the skin’s barrier function and keep it hydrated. It presents a luminous and uniform complexion, it’s fresh and soft to the touch and its pores are not visible to the naked eye. It is thin, flexible, elastic and presents no skin abnormalities. It may show some variations but only in very particular situations like menstruation or stressful phases.

Dry to Very Dry Skin

This type of skin occurs when the sebaceous glands in the skin are not able to produce enough lipids in order to maintain the its hydration and natural barrier function.
This skin feels rough, has a tendency to flake, may present some red spots and a pulling sensation is usually felt. In some extreme cases it can present dehydration lines.
Exposure to certain chemicals and cold dry air may aggravate its dryness symptoms.

Oily Skin

As opposed to dry skin, this skin’s sebaceous glands actually produce too much lipids, which makes this skin look shiny and the pores look larger. This skin may also present blackheads and whiteheads.
Blackheads are good indicators of problematic areas as they indicate pores clogged by sebum. They are located in specific areas like the forehead, the nose and the chin: the dreadful T-zone.

Combination Skin

Combination skin is characterized by oiliness in the T-zone and some dryness on the other areas of the face. It has a smooth and uniform texture, good circulation, healthy color and smaller dilated pores.

Common Skin Conditions

Commonly mistaken for skin types there are a few common conditions that can be relevant when you are trying to evaluate your skin.

Sensitive Skin

Many authors might consider this as a skin type while others will consider it as a skin condition. This ambiguity may be due to the fact that for most people the sensitivity is a permanent status but for others it is triggered by internal or external factors which leave the skin in a temporary sensitized status.
It is characterized by some redness, stinging sensation and discomfort, often associated with irritations or allergic reactions. It can be manifested by a pulling sensation, itching or burning, which worsens after each application of some cosmetic products, and can become permanent and unbearable.
The skin barrier for this condition is never completely intact, which means it will always be prone to dryness.
This skin will always need extra care, and the right products may sometimes be hard to find. Other skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea are often linked to a sensitive skin.

Atopic Skin

Atopic dermatitis is actually a chronic and inflammatory skin disease. It is characterized by interleaved periods of crisis and remission. A crisis usually starts by manifesting some redness and itchiness. As they intensify, the crises are more frequent and long lasting. The itchiness can result in aggravated lesions and even insomnia, affecting the quality of life of that person and also their close family. Babies and children might even be more prone to secondary infection due to skin lesions.
It is essential to prevent crises and control itchiness when it settles.

Acne Skin

Acne is also a skin disease and one of the most common ones. It is one of the main reasons people seek a dermatologist, especially during their teenage years, but regularly until their 30s. Although it is considered a benign disease, it can have a severe psychological impact.
It is generally characterized by dilated pores, blackheads, thick and irregular skin, pimples, skin discomfort and shine. There can be different kinds of acne but all are related to an excess in sebum production.

Dehydrated Skin

Contrary to popular belief, a dehydrated skin is not necessarily a dry skin. An oily skin can also be dehydrated! This is why, dehydrated skin is also not considered a skin type but a skin condition. This happens because the skin lacks water (unlike dry skin which has a lack of lipid production).
It generally presents small ridges, visible capillaries, dull look, and leathery texture (these characteristics are common around the cheek and chin area). It is essential to understand why there is a dehydration of the skin, so it can be properly addressed. Sun exposure, aggressive products and some medication can be the cause of this condition.

Check our online store where you will find a wide range of products for each skin type. Take a look in here.