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 eight condition 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
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.
Need more help? Choose our Skin Care Consultation Complete or Skin Care Consultation Mini.
