Knowing Your Skin Type

Many of our new clients come to us not knowing what their skin type is. This isn’t unusual, for sometimes the type of skin a person has can be hard to judge. Not only that, most people’s skin changes depending on the season, the weather, their hormones or their stress levels. Yet it’s important to know what kind of skin you have because such knowledge lets you take the very best care of it.

What Skin Type Do You Have?

Most skin care specialists recognize five types of skin. They are:

Normal

Normal skin is neither too dry nor too oily. It’s radiant, free of blemishes and can bear up to stresses such as cold weather, hot weather and exposure to the sun and the wind.

Dry

Dry skin is delicate and is more prone to fine lines, especially on the forehead and around the eyes. The skin tends to have dry patches and flake, especially in cold weather. It doesn’t hold moisture well and is less elastic and resilient than normal or oily skin. The one good thing our clients say about their dry skin is that at least their pores are invisible.

Oily

Oily skin tends to be heavy and prone to pimples and other blemishes, especially on the chin, the forehead, and the nose. Unlike dry skin, oily skin has large pores that easily clog with dirt and dead skin cells that can lead to breakouts. The skin tends to be shiny, especially around the nose, chin, and forehead, and the shininess is worse in the afternoons, when it’s hot or when the person is stressed.

Combination

A person who has combination skin has skin that’s normal to dry in some places and oily in others. They may suffer from breakouts that alternate with skin that’s dry and flaky.

Sensitive

Skin that’s sensitive tends to flake and itch. It’s more prone to allergic reactions and spider veins. There may be scaling and dry areas around the cheeks and hairline.

The Skin Type Test

First, wash your skin and wait an hour. Then, blot your skin with a tissue and evaluate the results.

First, notice how your skin feels. If it’s comfortable, look to see if there’s any oil on the tissue. If there isn’t, your skin is probably normal. If there is oil, ask yourself if your cheeks feel tight. If the answer is “No,” then your skin is oily. If the answer is “Yes,” you have combination skin.

If your skin feels tight after you’ve cleansed and blotted it, ask yourself if it’s inflamed and itchy. If it’s not, you have dry skin. If the answer is “Yes,” your skin is sensitive.

Visit Us For More Information About Your Skin

If you want more information about your type of skin, including how to take care of it, don’t hesitate to set up an appointment with us at Organic Elements Spa. Our number here is 541-210-9673.