Face the Facts - what skin type do you have?
Knowing what skin type you are and then matching it with a custom skincare routine brings out the best in your skin. Without knowing what your skin needs your current approach could be making things worse: oily skin becomes oilier or dry skin looks even more dull and wrinkled.
Our Complexion Type Changes
Have you had the same products and skincare routine for years? Our skincare should adapt as our skin changes over time, especially with mature skin. And it’s easy to work out exactly what skin type you are now based on some simple guidelines. Once you know your skin type you can choose the best care and watch your skin blossom.
Time to Update Your Skincare Routine?
Our skin becomes drier and more sensitive as we mature. That’s because sebum, the natural moisturiser that forms a protective layer over our skin, peaks in our teenage years and drops-off as we age, most dramatically after menopause.
Collagen and Elastin
Mature skin also has less collagen and elastin, both of which keeps it looking plump and smooth. And our facial muscles also weaken as we age so our skin gets less support. For most of us our skin starts-off as oily or normal as teenagers and gradually moves towards dry and sensitive skin as we mature – or somewhere in between with combination skin.
Check Your Skin Type
There are four basic skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive. Here’s a simple test to discover where your skin is at now. You may be surprised with the results.
Basic Skin Type Test:
- First thing in the morning wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry
- Don’t apply any creams, lotions or foundation
- Wait approximately 3-4 hours
- Apply blotting paper or tissue to your skin across different areas: chin, nose, forehead, cheeks
- Notice where paper sticks or becomes oily (transparent)
- Look at and touch your skin. Notice is skin oily or shiny, with large pores? Or is it tight and red, dull looking?
Online Skin Analysis
Need some help with your skin analysis? Try a short online skin questionnaire and get a personalised response. Start here.
Match Your Complexion Type:
Normal Skin:
Normal skin is best described as balanced. Not too oily, not too dry throughout the day. You don’t have many pimples or acne. It’s smooth and has an even tone. You may have a little bit of oil on the blotting paper from your T zone (nose & forehead). You can tolerate most skincare products, and skin rarely feels irritated.
Best Care for Normal Skin:
A basic everyday routine is perfect. It will protect your skin and keep it beautifully toned and plump.
Morning:
Day Cream or Moisturiser with SPF Protection
Evening:
Extra Weekly Boost:
Dry Skin:
Dry skin can feel tight after washing. There is very little oil on the tissue and you need a moisturiser, even in humid weather. You might notice dry patches and white flecks. It gets worse in cold weather. Skin appears dull and may even feel itchy. Wrinkles and fine lines may be more noticeable.
Best Care for Dry Skin:
Dry skin needs lots of protection, hydration and moisture. Skincare blends need to be heavier and richer. No harsh soaps or chemicals that strip and irritate skin.
Morning:
Day Cream or Moisturiser with SPF Protection
Evening
Extra Weekly Boost:
Gentle Exfoliator and Moisturising Facial Serum
Oily Skin:
There’s lots of oil on the paper (becomes transparent), from all over your face. You feel like you never need to moisturise. You may wash your face often because it feels greasy, especially in summer. Your skin looks shiny and may have large pores. You may get more break-outs and be acne prone.
Best Care for Oily Skin:
Just because your skin is oily you don’t want to strip moisture with harsh products. This can make oily skin worse. Over-exfoliating and harsh cleansing makes skin over compensate by producing even more oil. Instead use lightweight, gentle formulas to cleanse and balance oily skin.
Morning:
- Day Cream or Moisturiser with SPF Protection
Evening:
Extra Weekly Boost:
Combination Skin
Combination skin is the most common skin type. It’s oily in some areas, usually the T zone (nose & forehead) and dry in others, like your cheeks and neck. You may have large pores on your T zone, but small pores elsewhere. Your neck and cheek area may feel tight and look dull.
Best Care for Combination Skin:
With two different types of skin you will need to manage oil across the T zone while moisturising other areas to create a balanced, even skin tone. No need for two of each product, just more versatile ingredients, so look for a range that is suitable for all skin types.
Morning:
- Probiotic Jojoba Milk Serum (To protect the skin microbiome)
- Day Cream or Moisturiser with SPF Protection
Evening:
- Gentle Cleanser (Use only on T-zone)
- Night Treatment (Use only on cheeks & neck)
- Eye Serum
Extra Weekly Boost:
Sensitive Skin:
Sensitive skin can be any skin type, but tends to be dry. It reacts to products with strong fragrances or other harsh ingredients. It may sting, become red and irritated. Skin may look flushed. Skin can also be tight, with flaking and peeling. Wrinkles and fine lines are more visible. Skin can look dull.
Best Care for Sensitive Skin:
The focus with sensitive skin is to avoid irritating it, keeping it calm and soothed. You need a range suitable for sensitive skin. Avoid fragrances, synthetic exfoliators like retinol or moisture stripping soaps. Dry sensitive skin also needs added hydration and moisture.
Morning:
- Day Cream or Moisturiser with SPF Protection
Evening:
Extra Weekly Boost:
Special Eye Care for All Skin Types
Regardless of our unique skincare routine, the one thing that should be prioritised across all skin types is eye care. The skin around our eyes is much thinner than the rest of our face, with fewer sebaceous glands, collagen and elastin fibres to provide natural moisture and lift. These too decrease as our skin matures, so to replenish the lost elasticity we need to ensure:
- Use a specially formulated eye cream daily
- Formulas designed for face and neck are too heavy and will make puffiness worse
Make the Best of Your Skin Complexion
Once you understand your skin type and how it can dramatically change with time you can create the perfect skincare routine that works for you today. Make some simple changes and your skin will reward you by looking healthy, balanced and happy.
