The skin is the largest organ, and although it is structurally similar in everyone, cosmetic skin type is largely determined by genetics. Cosmetically, there are 4 main skin types:
Normal
Dry
Oily
Combination
You can also have sensitive skin in combination with these.
If youโre confused as to which type you have, weโve got the basics here, so you know what to look out for...
Normal skin A normal skin type is one that is not overly dry or oily and is overall pretty balanced. It is usually not shiny (except for maybe when youโre exercising!). People with normal skin are less prone to acne and can often tolerate most skin products ๐๐ผ
Oily skin Oily skin is essentially the result of excess oil production by your sebaceous glands (oil glands). During puberty, it is common for teens to experience oily skin as fluctuating hormones means the sebaceous glands are producing more oil. Some people continue to have oily skin through to adult life, especially if it's genetic.
You may have an oily skin type of you notice the following:
shiny and greasy skin, with visible pores
acne prone or spotty skin
Dry skin Dry skin type is a result of the skin not producing enough natural oils; however, it can also be due to exposure to cold weather, bathing in very hot water, or low humidity.
Signs of dry skin include:
tightness
itching
dehydrated appearance
cracked skin
Dry skin can often be more easily irritated and sensitive as it often loses its protective moisture barrier, so itโs important to be cautious with the skincare products used. However, any cosmetic type of skin can still be sensitive so keep an eye out to see if your skin is happy with the different products you use on it.
Combination skin Many teens have combination skin โ this just means that certain areas are oilier due to overactive sebaceous glands, with normal skin everywhere else on the face. The best way to tell if this is the skin type you have is to take a closer look at your T - zone (the forehead and nose), which will often be oilier than the rest of your face.
Figuring out your skin type is the first step to an effective skincare routine as you can work on certain areas and find more targeted products based on your needs, but do keep in mind that these classifications are determined by the cosmetic industry and are not official medical terms. Knowing your cosmetic skin type is also another good step to knowing your normal โค๏ธโจ
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