What are the different skin types and how to identify them?
When we use the term ‘skin type’, we’re referring to the regular appearance and feeling experienced across skin. Reactiveness, oiliness, and rough, dry textures amount to having either a sensitive, dry, or oily skin type.
To build an efficacious skincare routine, your products and ingredients should be tailored to the behaviours of your skin. Knowing how to identify your skin type and which products to match to it will enable you to reduce concerns and achieve skin vitality in the long term.
To know how to best address a normal or sensitive skin type, it helps to understand the way that your skin functions. We explore the range of skin types and the potent skincare ingredients that address them.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND SKIN TYPES
Skin consists of multiple layers – including the epidermis (outermost layer) and dermis beneath it. Part of the epidermis is our ‘skin barrier’ – known technically as the stratum corneum. As the name suggests, this layer aids in holding valuable properties like oil and water in and keeping irritants like UV radiation and bacteria out.
When our skin appears and feels healthy it’s an indicator that the skin barrier is functioning properly. Conversely, when someone with a dry skin type experiences dryness or those with an oily skin type experience shininess, the skin barrier is most likely compromised.
SKIN TYPE CATEGORIES
If you’re wondering ‘what is my skin type?’, pay attention to both how your skin feels and appears when in contact with external occurrences. Stressors that affect the state of every skin type include weather changes, topical products, exposure to sun, hormones, and stress.
DRY SKIN
Those who regularly experience rough textured and flaky skin have a dry skin type. If this is your experience, attaining hydrated and soft-feeling skin can often feel impossible. The reason for recurring dryness in skin is an underproduction of sebum, our natural oil. When not enough sebum is produced, dead skin cells are allowed to build up and remain on skin, causing the dull appearance commonly associated with dry skin. Those with this skin type can also experience tightness and more visible lines, and in some cases discomfort. To address dry skin concerns, re-establishing hydration is key.
Ideal skincare routine for dry skin types:
Step 1: Remove impurities and clarify skin with oil-based Lipikar Huile Lavante AP+ Cleansing Oil
Step 2: Nourish skin with nutrient-rich, hyaluronic acid-infused Hyalu B5 Serum.
Step 3: Moisturise with rich, prebiotic-infused Toleriane Sensitive Riche Facial Moisturiser.
SHOP THE ROUTINE
Lipikar Huile Lavante Ap+ Body Cleansing Oil 400ml
Oil Cleansing Body Wash For Dry Skin
Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Vitamin B5 & Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Serum For Sensitive Skin
Toleriane Sensitive Riche Prebiotic Cream 40ml
Moisturiser For Face Suitable To Dry, Intolerant Skin
OILY & ACNE PRONE SKIN
On the inverse, those who have an oily skin type experience an overproduction of sebum. This contributes to the appearance and feeling of shininess across skin, alongside impurities, breakouts and blemishes. Those with oily skin may also have enlarged pores, which can become clogged regularly through oil-flow. The ambition in skincare for oily skin types is to purify the skin of the stressors which contribute to imperfections – including bacteria, dirt and excess oil. To support skin’s health, moisture levels also need to be rebalanced so that oil flow can begin to regulate itself.
Essential skincare routine for oily & acne prone skin types:
Step 1: :Remove impurities and clarify skin with Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel Cleanser.
Step 2: Reduce oil-production with antibacterial and salicylic acid-infused Effaclar Salicylic Acid Serum.
Step 3: Re-establish moisture balance to skin with Effaclar Duo (+) Anti-Acne Moisturiser
SHOP THE ROUTINE
Effaclar Anti-Acne Salicylic Acid Serum
Anti-Wrinkle & Anti-Acne Daily Face Serum
Effaclar Duo+M Anti Imperfections Moisturiser
Anti Imperfections Moisturiser For Oily And Acne Prone Skin, Powered By Microbiome Science
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SENSITIVE SKIN
Finding a skincare routine that works is often hardest for those who have sensitive skin. Those with skin sensitivity can react negatively to commonly used properties like fragrances, dyes and alcohol. Though it’s classified as a skin type, those with sensitive skin can also have oily, dry or combination features. Think of sensitive skin as reactive – sensitised skin is especially vulnerable to external triggers. To counter this, know which stressors affect you and implement a strength-building skincare routine.
Essential skincare routine for sensitive skin types:
Step 1: Reduce discomfort and inflammation with niacinamide-infused Toleriane Caring Wash Cleanser.
Step 2: Strengthen skin-barrier with neurosensine-infused Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Serum, suitable for ultra-sensitive skin.
Step 3: Address tightness and redness with the hydrating, prebiotic-infused Toleriane Sensitive Facial Moisturiser.
SHOP THE ROUTINE
Toleriane Sensitive Prebiotic Moisturiser 40ml
Face Moisturiser For Dry, Sensitive Skin. Suitable For Babies
Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Hydrating Serum 20ml
Peptide Serum For Sensitive Skin Prone To Allergy, Formulated To Reduce Skin Redness & Irritation
Toleriane Caring Wash Hydrating Cleanser 200ml
Gentle Face Wash & Makeup Remover For Normal To Dry Sensitive Skin
COMBINATION SKIN
If you experience a duality of skin behaviours, it can be hard to begin thinking about how best to achieve skin-health. With multiple differing features, what is combination skin? Both oiliness and dryness can be experienced by this skin type. Oil-flow tends to centre around the T-zone, whereas dryness and flaky skin appears around the cheeks and parts of the forehead.
Essential skincare routine for combination skin types:
Step 1: Clear impurities and establish moisture balance to skin with Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser.
Step 2: Micro-exfoliate for even skin texture and tone, with LHA-infused Effaclar Salicylic Acid Serum.
Step 3: Nourish and brighten skin with vitamin C-infused Redermic Vitamin C10 Anti-Ageing Moisturiser.
SHOP THE ROUTINE
Toleriane Gentle Cream Dermo-Cleanser 200ml
Makeup Remover & Facial Cleanser For Dry, Intolerant, Sensitive Skin
Effaclar Anti-Acne Salicylic Acid Serum
Anti-Wrinkle & Anti-Acne Daily Face Serum
HOW TO KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE
To ensure your skincare routine supports your skin, know how to identify your skin type properly. Alongside identifying the commonly experienced features above, watch your skin with these methods:
- Wash skin with a gentle cleanser and wait – after 30 minutes, your skin will either feel oily, dry, or a combination of both.
- Monitor your skin’s behaviour throughout the day, noting how it both feels and looks when in contact with different stressors.
- Apply a blotting sheet to your face for 10 seconds. The levels of oil on the sheet will indicate your sebum-production.
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