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There are seven different skin types you can have, ranging from dry to oily to combination skin. While it’s not exactly possible to change your skin type, there are ways to take care of the type you were born with so that you can maintain healthy and beautiful skin throughout your life. Follow these steps on how to take care of seven different skin types so that you can keep your skin looking and feeling its best!
1. Oily Skin
Oily skin is one of four major skin types, dry, normal, and combination. But how do you know if you’re dealing with an oily complexion? Well, first consider whether your T-zone seems a little greasier than usual at any given point in time. If so, congratulations! It may be that you’ve got an oily complexion (but remember: Skin can be oily in places—like your nose—even if other parts seem more balanced). Oily skin is typically on its way to becoming dry over time. Use gentle cleansers to remove oil without removing needed moisture. And use light moisturizers on top (like a serum), rather than rich creams or lotions.
2. Dry Skin
On dry skin, use a lotion that contains glycerin (the ingredient that helps retain moisture). Every day, pat lotion onto your face in long strokes and gently massage it into your skin. If you have sensitive skin, leave out any fragrances or perfumes in your lotions. If you have eczema or psoriasis, avoid synthetic fragrances and opt for all-natural versions instead. Your dermatologist can recommend a good hypoallergenic moisturizer for sensitive skin. If you’re prone to breakouts on your back or chest area, consider treating acne scars with retinol creams (very similar to Retin-A but gentler), which help improve collagen levels by encouraging new cell growth.
3. Sensitive Skin
People with sensitive skin are more likely to suffer from skin diseases than most other types. Skin conditions like rosacea, eczema and psoriasis cause painful itching and burning sensations. However, it’s important to note that not all people who suffer from these diseases have sensitive skin. Skin becomes sensitive when exposed over time to harsh chemicals in soaps, laundry detergents, cosmetics, and personal care products—you may even be allergic to certain fabrics or color dyes! One solution is hypoallergenic skincare products that are specially formulated for sensitive skin.
4. Aging & Wrinkles
Although it’s part of life, our culture has instilled in us a fear that wrinkles are permanent, ugly scars that make us look old. In fact, your skin is constantly renewing itself from within—but how well it can do so depends on environmental factors like sun exposure, smoking, drinking, and overall health. Although each person is different, some people may experience fine lines around their eyes or forehead as early as their mid-twenties due to genetics or excessive sun exposure. The sooner you address aging skin problems by investing in anti-aging skincare products like moisturizers with antioxidants and vitamin C—which can help protect your skin from harmful rays by neutralizing free radicals—the better off you’ll be.
5. Acne-Prone
This skin type has a high chance of breaking out. Because acne-prone skin is oily, certain products that draw oil from your skin can exacerbate breakouts. For example, avoid astringents, which often contain alcohols that can dry out your skin but cause more inflammation when applied to acne-prone areas. If you have acne-prone skin, don’t exfoliate unless you are using a gentle washcloth or cleanser; abrasive scrubs just make acne worse. Try toners made with ingredients like witch hazel or salicylic acid instead. If you’re prone to breakouts, exfoliating once every two weeks will help reduce future blemishes.
6. Combination
Combination skin is when your face and neck are combination skin, but your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oily. This type of skin requires moisturizing in all areas because it lacks elasticity, which causes wrinkles. To keep combination skin looking young and fresh, you should exfoliate once a week or every two weeks to remove dead cells that could clog pores. Use a light moisturizer during warmer months (heavy ones tend to increase oil production) and a serum that contains peptides or vitamin C during colder months. By regularly treating your T-zone with anti-acne products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid (or both), you can control oil levels on your face as well as reduce acne breakouts there.
7). Mature (Visible Signs of Aging, Loss of Elasticity, Loss of Firmness, Fine Lines, Wrinkles & Pigmentation)
Mature is not a dirty word! Your skin might change as you age, but that doesn’t mean you should stop taking care of it. In fact, mature skin may be more sensitive than younger skin, so keeping your face hydrated can keep you looking young. Avoid products that contain high amounts of alcohol or glycols (found in glycolic and salicylic acid-based products), which can dry out your skin. Look for hydrating products instead such as creams containing ceramides—fatty acids found naturally in healthy skin. Ceramides help repair damage from environmental stressors like pollution, harsh weather, and sun exposure. Dry (Unusually Dry & Irritated): Drier skin can sometimes look older than it really is because dehydration makes fine lines appear deeper and wrinkles harder to smooth out. Try an oil-free moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid, an ingredient with a superpower: It can hold up 1,000 times its weight in water! Hyaluronic acid keeps moisture locked into your skin while also making sure moisture doesn’t escape too quickly.
