Skin Type Guide
Identifying your own skin type is a prerequisite for an optimal skin care routine. Discover your skin type and its needs with this guide.
Three basic skin types
There are subtle differences in the breakdown of skin types depending on the perspective from which the topic is approached. However, there are only three basic skin types: normal, dry and oily skin. Combination skin, dry oily skin and sensitive skin, on the other hand, are skin imbalances that should be treated according to their individual needs. The actual skin type underlying the imbalance is thus permanent, but symptoms such as moisture deprivation, impurities and sensitivity are not. The balance of the skin is affected by numerous internal and external factors that can be affected by lifestyle and holistic skin care.
Analysing your skin type
Skin type analysis should always be done on clean and makeup-free skin. The skin should first be cleansed with a cleanser that does not strip the skin too much but is easily rinsed off. Cleansing oil is the best option.
Normal skin
The sebum secretion of normal skin works normally, i.e., the skin shines a little during the day, but makeup stays on well nonetheless. The moisture content of the skin is balanced, and the skin does not feel tight in the morning when you wake up or after washing. The surface of the skin feels soft and smooth, and the tone is light. The skin looks smooth and plump, although depending on age, the skin may have wrinkles and/or be loose. The pores are slightly visible in normal skin and more clearly so with age as the tissues become looser. Pimples may sometimes appear during the menstrual cycle in normal skin. There may also be some blackheads in the nose and chin area
Even normal skin can easily become unbalanced if you wash it with a cleanser that is too strong, over-treat it with strong products or do not take care of the skin's moisture–fat balance with the use of an essence and facial oil.
Skin care for normal skin
Normal skin should be cleansed in the mornings and evenings with a cleansing oil, after which the skin should be moisturised with a few layers of essence before facial oil is applied to the skin. The skin should not be washed with soap, cleansing foam or gel as these will damage the skin's hydrolipidic membrane and cause it to become unbalanced, creating the conditions in which skin problems occur. Mild acids, when used daily, maintain the balance of normal skin and reduce the need for powerful products such as peels, serums and masks. Regular facial massage, performed a few times a week, will maintain the moisture content of the connective tissues, the metabolism of the skin and the flow of lymph fluids, thus preventing the emergence of various imbalances and signs of premature ageing, and keep the face looking fresh.
Dry skin
The sebum secretion of dry skin is reduced, and the skin does not shine during the day. In addition, the moisture content of the skin is reduced, and the skin feels tight easily, especially after cleansing. The pores in dry skin can hardly be seen at all and the skin is usually thin, which makes it prone to rosacea or sensitivity. Wrinkles can occur on dry skin, even at a young age, due to the lack of moisture and lipids. With older dry skin, the pores are usually more visible as the tissues become loose and the skin may look ‘empty’.
When dry skin is well taken care of, it is smooth and even. With inadequate skin care, the colour is pale, and skin may flake off and feel rough. Milia can also appear on the surface of the skin.
Skin care for dry skin
Soaps or foaming cleansers such as cleansing foam or gel should not be used on dry skin at all. Cleansing oil is the best option. Moisturise the skin carefully by applying a few coats of essence to the skin and then apply a facial oil. Dry skin benefits from the daily use of mildly acidic products, as acids moisturise the skin and strengthen its protective barrier. However, strong acids should be avoided. A facial massage performed a few times a week will strengthen the connective tissues and improve their moisture content, prevent the skin from wrinkling, and improve skin metabolism and lymph fluid flow, thus preventing sensitization and rosacea.
Oily skin or seborrhea oleosa
In oily skin sebum secretion is increased, the skin shines abundantly and makeup ‘melts’ off the skin during the day. The pores of the skin stand out clearly and can be deep. The skin is usually thickish or thick and is not sensitive. Balanced oily skin glows and may not have any impurities other than some blackheads. Oily skin could be called normal oily skin. However, if there is an imbalance, the skin may be dull in colour and there may be plenty of blackheads, pimples and blockages on the skin.
Skin care for oily skin
You may want to wash oily skin with foaming cleansers that leave the skin feeling squeaky-clean. That, however, does a disservice to the skin and only increases the secretion of sebum. In the treatment of oily skin, the aim is to balance sebum secretion and prevent impurities and the clogging of pores, but products that are too cleansing and astringent should be avoided, as should over-treatment of the skin.
Oily skin should be cleansed in the mornings with a cleansing oil that leaves the skin soft and balanced. If you are used to squeaky-clean skin after washing, this may require a little getting used to, but you will soon notice the benefits. Oily skin is usually alkaline, so a daily dose of a mild acid helps to balance sebum secretion and prevent impurities. Therefore, after cleansing, the skin should be moisturised with an essence containing mild acids. Finally, a few drops of facial oil should be applied to the skin because cold-pressed vegetable oils balance the skin’s sebum secretion. A facial massage performed a few times a week will improve the metabolism of the skin and the flow of lymph fluids, as well as keeping the connective tissues moving, thus preventing the pores from clogging and creating impurities.
