- By Calypso Cavallo
- June 6, 2022
- Skincare
- Comments:4
How to know what skincare I need? Does everyone need the same skincare products with the same ingredients? What determines our skin’s needs?
Many people wonder about the skincare routine to achieve their perfect complexion. The choice is so vast it is easy to get lost if we do not know what our skin needs!
Here is everything you need to know!
How to know what skincare I need?
Everyone does not need the same kind of skincare products. Skin needs depend on its type. It can be confusing as most skincare routines have the same steps: cleanser, moisturizer, etc. However, the ingredients are not the same and it is what you need to know to find the products that suit your skin. Even the fanciest, beauty gurus-acclaimed skincare products can be harmful if it is not adapted to your skin type.
It is the first and most important thing when looking for skincare products: know your skin type. It is one of the main criteria to know what skincare I need.
How to know what skincare I need? My skin type
It exists several skin types, and they all have specific needs.
- Normal
Normal skin is the “perfect” skin. Sebum keeps it hydrated without making it oily. It has no severe sensitivity and the pores are not visible, nor clogged.
- Oily
Your skin is oily if your face is constantly covered by a greasy substance known as sebum. This type of skin often comes with clogged and enlarged pores, as well as skin conditions such as acne, either with pimples, blackheads, or white heads. People with oily skin often struggle with shiny and thick complexion.
Oily skin can be due to several factors. The most common are hormonal changes, such as puberty or PMS. Stress also worsens oily skin problems. Heat and humidity are often to blame for oily skins.
- Combination
As the name says, your skin is a combination of several skin types. Usually, the T zone (forehead, nose, and chin) is oily, while the rest of the face is dry to normal.
This skin type often faces issues such as enlarged or clogged pores, blackheads, and shiny skin.
- Dry
Dry skin is characterized by red patches, rough and dull complexion. People with dry skin cannot see their pores, but their skin is less elastic and their lines more visible. This skin type ages faster than the others.
Dry skin cracks, and get irritated and itchy. Very dry skins are rough and scaly in areas such as the legs, arms, and back of the hands.
Dry skin is mainly due to genetics, but aging and hormonal changes can worsen it. Exterior agents such as sun, wind or cold, UV, heating, prolonged exposition to hot water (long hot bath or shower), skincare ingredients, or medication can worsen it.
- Sensitive
Sensitive skin is prone to redness, dryness, burning and itching. The best way to care for it is to figure out what your skin is sensitive to (skincare ingredients, laundry detergent, UV light, pollutants, etc) and avoid it.
What's the skincare I need according to my skin type?
The skincare I need according to my skin type: here is everything you need to know for radiant skin!
Many people believe a normal skin does not need to be cared for, which is wrong! Even if your skin looks perfect, you have to take care of it to ensure it will stay healthy and radiant.
Clean your skin once to twice a day to get rid of impurities and pollutants that may have reached it throughout the day. Use mild cleansing products. Then, apply a lightweight or richer moisturizer depending on what feels the best to your skin. For dayytime, go to skincare containing an SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV light.
Contrary to popular belief, oily skin does not need to be scrubbed to blood or dried out to look better. It is the exact opposite. Oily skin is sensitive, harsh products irritate it and make problems worse.
Constantly washing your face won’t help with your oily skin. Washing your face once to twice a day with an adapted cleanser, for example, one containing tea tree extracts, is enough. Do not scrub your face while cleansing it. An extra wash is advised after a sweaty sports session to avoid pore-clogging. Do not touch your face, especially your pimples, it will just make everything worse! While shopping for skincare products, go for non-comedogenic products, they won’t clog your pores and cause breakouts.
The key ingredients for oily skin are tea tree extract and salicylic acid. Check our article about skincare-induced acne to know more about the ingredients to avoid if you have oily skin.
Skincare for combination skin sounds often complicated because this skin type is both dry and oily. The best is to use gentle products to clean the oil excess without drying the already dry areas. In the morning, use a mild cleanser to get rid of accumulated sebum, then an alcohol-free toner to balance the skin’s pH levels. The best for combination skin is to have two moisturizers, a lightweight, a non-comedogenic formula for the oily areas, and a richer one for the dryer areas. Do not skip the sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV light. In addition to causing cancer, they often trigger breakouts. For makeup, go for oil-free products.
At night, ensure to remove your makeup before going to bed. The best is to use micellar water. Then, time to wash your face to ensure the sebum or makeup remnants won’t clog your pores during the night. You can use a richer moisturizer in dryer areas at night.
If you have dry skin, it is better to avoid long and hot baths or showers. Limit bathing/showering to once a day. Ensure to moisturize your skin right after bathing/showering to reinforce your skin barrier. All the products you use on your skin must be mild, preferably unscented. Scented soap and skincare products often contain alcohol, which dries and irritate the skin. Use gloves to avoid your skin being in contact with harsh chemicals such as dish soap or laundry detergents. Avoid being in a hot and dry environment, using an air humidifier in your home can be helpful.
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