Moisturisation is the foundation to an effective basic skincare regime, regardless of your skin type. As we look into the varying needs of the different skin types, it is essential that you know and understand your own skin condition. This will help you apply the most appropriate skin care method for your skin to achieve naturally beautiful and clear skin.
What is my skin type? Find out by checking the boxes that apply to you.
A
- My skin tends to feel dry and flaky and is prone to dryness
- My makeup does not set well on my skin and often appears cakey
- I am concerned about fine wrinkles
B
- I am concerned about stickiness and greasiness on my skin
- My makeup smears easily and does not stay on well
- I am bothered by visible pores and blackheads
C
- I have an oily T-zone but my cheek areas are dry
- I am concerned about dry and rough skin
- I am concerned about visible open pores
For those with more ‘A’ answers →Your skin type is: Dry skin
Lower amounts of sebum and a lack of moisture cause skin to become dry. Essentially, the reduction of intercellular lipids like sebum and ceramide that control barrier function and the skin’s Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF), means that dry skin will become drier when in dry environmental conditions. With the deterioration in the skin’s barrier function, the skin’s protective mechanism is not as effective in preventing external pollutants and ultraviolet (UV) rays from penetrating deep into the skin layers to cause rough skin and other related skin problems. Those with dry skin are also more susceptible to seasonal stress, or sensitivities experienced during the chasing of seasons.
For those with more ‘B’ answers →Your skin type is: Oily skin
Oily skin is characterized by excessive sebum secretion, causing the skin to be sticky or greasy. Individuals with this skin type can attribute it to genetic influence, but it is also a common occurrence among those undergoing puberty, in their adolescence and early adulthood. Another cause of oily skin is the oxidation of the excessive sebum secretion by UV rays. This thickens the stratum corneum (or skin’s outermost layer) and leads to visible pores, blackheads, dull skin, dark spots, and other skin issues.
For those with more ‘C’ answers →Your skin type is: Combination skin
As the skin type suggests, the condition is mixed since the T-zone area is oily and sticky while the cheek areas are dry and flaky. The main characteristic of combination skin is an excessive amount of sebum but insufficient moisture content. One possible explanation for how this skin type came about is that the skin could have originally been dry or oily, but became a combination type with age.