Wondering what is my skin type? You would think that knowing your skin type is simple enough. But so many people get it wrong. When you think about it, it is not that surprising. Most people have never had a professional skin analysis to really know. And it is easy to get confused between skin types and skin conditions.
Even though there are five skin types and six main skin conditions, everyone’s skin is different and responds uniquely to skin care routines and products. Even so, it is important to know your skin type and skin conditions. Doing that enables you to develop the right skin care routine and identify the best products for your skin. This helps you to achieve and maintain healthy skin, and look great.
In fact, following the wrong skin care routine and using the wrong skin care products can be disastrous for your skin and result in skin damage. If you have read our page on healthy skin, you would already know about the importance of the skin barrier and that you should not be incorporating any actives in your skin care routine if it is impaired.
So let us dive right in.
Skin types
Combination skin
Characteristics
Skin is dry in some areas and oily in others
The forehead, nose and chin may experience breakouts
Blackheads or whitehead may be visible on the nose
Pores may be enlarged in the oily areas
At home care
Use a gel cleanser
Deep cleanse pores only in oily areas
Exfoliate to help clear pores and avoid buildup of dead skin cells
Hydrate the skin without exacerbating dryness or oiliness
Use occlusives in dry areas
Treat blemishes
Protect the skin from environmental factors and UV damage
Talk to us about the right products to use or download our skin care routine for combination skin. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Dry skin
Characteristics
Skin does not produce enough oil
Skin is dull, flaking and itchy
Tone may appear uneven
Skin may feel tight and uncomfortable
Cold weather, indoor heating and air-conditioning make skin worse
At home care
Use a cream or milk cleanser
Exfoliate to maintain cell turnover, reduce flaking and improve tone
Hydrate the skin
Lock in moisture with occlusives
Incorporate a non-fragrant face oil into your routine
Use hydrating and nourishing masks
Protect the skin from environmental factors and UV damage
Talk to us about the right products to use or download our skin care routine for dry skin. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Normal skin
Skin characteristics
Skin has the right balance of water and oil
Skin is clear and even toned
Pores are small
Few, if any, visible concerns
Skin tolerates exfoliation and does not react to strong actives
At home care
Use a gel, cream or milk cleanser
Exfoliate to maintain cell turnover and collagen production
Hydrate the skin
Incorporate anti-ageing actives
Protect the skin from environmental factors and UV damage
Talk to us about the right products to use or download our skin care routine for normal skin. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Oily skin
Characteristics
Skin looks shiny and has areas of oiliness
Pores are enlarged
Blackheads or whiteheads may be visible on the nose
At home care
Use a gel or BHA cleanser
Exfoliate to maintain cell turnover and collagen production
Use actives to minimise oil production
Hydrate the skin without overloading it or clogging pores
Protect the skin from environmental factors and UV damage
Talk to us about the right products to use or download our skin care routine for oily skin. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Sensitive skin
Characteristics
Skin is sensitive, and always has been sensitive
Skin is easily irritated by some products and ingredients
Skin flushes easily
Skin may become pinkish in hot or cold temperatures
Skin is more typically dry
At home care
Use a gentle cream or milk cleanser
Avoid all strong or irritating ingredients in skin care, including AHA, BHA, alcohol, essential oils, fragrance, urea and witch hazel
Use a gentle exfoliant, only if skin tolerates
Soothe and calm any redness or irritation
Maintain the skin barrier
Hydrate the skin
Use occlusive to lock in moisture
Use masks to strengthen the skin
Protect the skin from environmental factors and UV damage
Talk to us about the right products to use or download our skin care routine for sensitive skin. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Skin conditions
Acne
There are four main causes of acne:
Excess oil (sebum) production
Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells
Inflammation of the sebaceous (oil) glands
Bacteria
Acne is most common on the face, chest, upper back and shoulders because these areas have the most oil glands. Hair follicles are connected to the oil glands.
Characteristics
Excess oil
Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
Blackheads (open plugged pores)
Small red, tender bumps (papules)
Pimples (pustules)
Painful lumps under the skin (nodules)
Painful pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic lesions)
Those with acne may have only some, rather than all, of the characteristics above.
At home care
Use a gel or BHA cleanser to deep cleanse pores
Exfoliate to help clear pores and avoid buildup of dead skin cells
Hydrate the skin without overloading it or clogging pores
Use actives to minimise oil production, calm inflammation and reduce redness
Spot treat blemishes
Protect the skin from environmental factors and UV damage
Talk to us about the right products to use or download our skin care routine for acne skin. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Ageing
UV exposure, environmental factors, changes in hormones and smoking and drinking all have an effect on the skin’s appearance and effect skin ageing.
Characteristics
Wrinkles are visible
Sagging may be present
Pores are enlarged
Skin has lost elasticity
Skin tone is uneven
Skin is dull
At home care
Use a milk or cream cleanser
Use an exfoliant to maintain cell turnover and collagen production
Use actives to fight UV damage and to build collagen
Hydrate the skin
Use occlusives to lock in moisture
Use masks to hydrate and treat the skin
Protect the skin from environmental factors and UV damage
Talk to us about the right products to use or download one our skin care routine. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Dehydrated
Dehydrated skin and dry skin are different conditions. Dehydrated skin lacks moisture, whereas dry skin lacks oil.
Skin characteristics
Skin is rough, flaky and itchy
Skin does not maintain hydration
Wrinkles are more visible
Skin looks dull
At home care
Use a cream or milk cleanser
Exfoliate to maintain cell turnover and collagen production
Use actives to fight UV damage and to build collagen
Hydrate the skin
Use occlusives to lock in moisture
Use masks to intensely hydrate and treat the skin
Protect the skin from environmental factors and UV damage
Talk to us about the right products to use or download our care routine for dry skin. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Discoloration
When the cells in our skin that make melanin are unhealthy or damaged, there can be pigmentary changes. This can appear as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
Sun exposure is the primary cause of hyperpigmentation, typically sun spots or solar lentigines. However hormonal changes can cause dark patches, known as melasma, on the forehead and checks. Acne and other skin trauma sometimes cause dark spots to appear or what is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Certain drugs can also be a trigger.
Here we are only going to cover hyperpigmentation.
Characteristics
Skin has hyperpigmented spots
Skin has patches of hyperpigmentation, or
Skin has an uneven tone
At home care
Use a gel, cream or milk or cleanser
Exfoliate to maintain cell turnover and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation
Use antioxidants to fight UV damage
Hydrate the skin
Use actives to minimise the amount of melanin in the skin
Use proven actives to treat the areas of hyperpigmentation
Stay out of the sun and use a mineral broad-spectrum sunscreen
Avoid, if possible, medication that can cause hyperpigmentation.
Talk to us about the right products to use or download one of our skin care routines. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Rosacea
Characteristics
Skin is very sensitive
Skin is easily irritated and may sting or burn when some skin care products are applied
Skin is prone to blushing and flushing in response to triggers
Skin has areas of persistent redness, typically the cheeks, nose and chin
Broken capillaries may be visible
Pimple-like bumps may develop on the cheeks and nose (papules)
Skin may be combination, dry, normal or oily
At home care
Use a gentle gel or milk cleanser
Avoid all strong or irritating ingredients, including AHA, BHA, alcohol, essential oils, fragrance, witch hazel and urea
Use a gentle exfoliant, only if skin allows
Reduce the Demodex load on the skin
Soothe and calm redness and inflammation
Repair and maintain the skin barrier
Hydrate the skin
Spot treat papules
Protect the skin from environmental factors and UV damage
Talk to us about the right products to use or download our skin care routine for rosacea skin. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Sensitised
Sensitised skin is due to damage to the skin barrier as a result of aggressive skin treatments or overuse of actives. With the right skin care routine, sensitised can be repaired and returned to its usual state.
Skin characteristics
Skin has become sensitive due to treatments, overuse of actives, prescribed oral or topical medication or lack of skin care
Skin is easily irritated and may sting or burn when skin care products are applied
Skin id dry and may have areas of flaking
Skin is red, irritated and inflamed
At home care
Use a gentle gel, milk or cream cleanser
Avoid all strong or irritating ingredients in skin care, including AHA, BHA, alcohol, essential oils, fragrance, retinol, urea and witch hazel
Soothe and calm redness and inflammation
Repair the skin barrier
Hydrate the skin
Use occlusives to lock in moisture in areas of flaking
Protect the skin from environmental factors and UV
Talk to us about the right products to use or download our skin care routine for sensitive skin. We provide free 15-minute consultations.
Enlarged pores
Enlarged pores are a concern for many people, however they are not necessarily classified as a separate skin condition because they are usually associated with oily skin or ageing skin.
