Skin issues plague almost all of us. It doesn’t matter whether you have oily, dry, or normal skin, at one point or another we have all had a dermatological nightmare. What makes the experience similar for everyone is how much it hits your self-esteem. Whether it’s an acne breakout and you’re left with scars or excessively dry skin that constantly irritates you, it’s enough to put you into a perpetual state of being excessively conscious.
Today we’re going to go over some skincare routines and tips based on the type of skin you have. While we won’t be going over specific products, we will be describing what qualities you should look for.
Normal Skin
This is the type of skin we all wish we had. It isn’t oily or dry, it’s not really a combination of the two either. Issues such as acne, aging, and sensitivity are not a concern for people who have such skin. However, they still have other issues to contend with. To fight blemishes, you could use a cleanser (sulfate-free) which cleans with a gentle lather. You should also avoid alcohol based products such as toner as it would make your face look dull and dehydrated. For more information, read a true botanicals review here
For day use, your moisturizer should have SPF in it and try to get a generous application on both the face and neck. You will have to make sure your moisturizer isn’t too thick or viscous to clog up your pores (acne will definitely become a concern then). Products with hyaluronic acid (or hyaluronate) would be best for normal skin. You should also use an antioxidant serum containing Vitamin C or algae extract, which will brighten the skin and give a more natural tone. For the night, feel free to go with a denser moisturizer, but be sure to clean up beforehand with a face wash made for your skin type.
Dry Skin
It wouldn’t be hard to gather that the most ideal products for dry skin would contain hydrating properties. A moisture barrier is important for healthy skin as it keeps irritants from getting into the skin, which is a lot easier when you have small invisible cracks in the skin. The other problem is that your skin might even react strongly to ingredients which are good for the skin. It’s important you use a cleansing lotion that is mild and does not create any foam or lather. You’ll need a toner as well to help balance the pH levels and help restore moisture. It also helps resist environmental factors such as dust and pollution.
For your morning serum, use something rich in vitamin E, A and C, and follow it up with an SPF sunscreen. A hydrating moisturizer with SPF 47 should be ideal. For nighttime, you can use any over the counter retinol serum (five nights a week) for the skin, while using a peptide-based serum for your eyes. For your moisturizer, try something with rose hip seed oil, evening primrose oil, or borage oil. These oils are molecularly very similar to the natural lipids found in the skin and will enable repair of the skin’s moisture barrier.
Oily Skin
Your goal with such skin should be to lessen the activity in the larger oil glands you have been gifted by genetics. The high sebum content is what’s causing most of your problems and keeping your skin hydrated is the key and the main ingredients of your skincare routine are built to fight the excess oil production by the glands. Try using a gel instead of lotion for your cleanser and make sure it’s free of sulfates. Your toner should be alcohol-free and you should use ingredients which cut oil production such as geranium and witch hazel. Your moisturizer should be oil-free and must contain humectants (compounds which hold water to your skin and keep the skin from getting too dried out). It’s a plus point if your sunscreen contains zinc oxide, which is an anti-bacterial agent, lessening your chances of an acne breakout.
For your nighttime serum, consider something with alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids which help reduce the appearance of large pores and salicylic acid and tea tree to keep the skin clear. A good retinol serum will also help you with your pores. You can also try a great moisturizer for oily skin.
Combination Skin
Combination skin gets tricky. Some parts of the face are oily and some are dry as a bone. The most common mistake you’ll find is people who are using two different routines for their skin. The key should be to find a single routine which would cater to both issues. For your cleanser, stick to the oily skin route and use a gel. If things get too dry, then switch to a lotion. A balancing toner with ingredients like witch hazel is ideal for combination skin, mixed with a light moisturizer (it can contain oil but it can’t be a dense moisturizer) containing hyaluronic acid. Your sunscreen should contain zinc oxide the same way it should for those suffering from oily skin.
Nighttime serum for combination skin is the same as oily skin. Something with alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids to minimize pores and brighten up the skin. It also wouldn’t hurt to use a retinol serum in addition to the AHA/BHA Serum.
Sensitive Skin
For sensitive skin, the most important thing is to remember irritants. Anything harsh and chemical based will cause issues so it’s better to stick with mild products that are organic. While those with sensitive skin may not be acne prone, the skin can still get irritated and turn red causing significant discomfort. The same principles as for the above skin types apply, but you should try going with products which are sulfate free. Ingredients such as beta-glucan will also help reduce sensitivity over time. Avoid synthetic fragrances as they cause significant irritation and definitely aren’t worth the hassle.
