Your skin is the largest organ in your body and your skin type is the natural condition of your skin, which depends on how much sebum your skin is producing, its moisture retention capacity and the overall sensitivity. Skin is affected by a lot of factors which include genetics, environment and lifestyle factors like diet, pollution, hydration, stress, etc. When you were younger, you may have had a dry skin type but with growing age, your skin type might change to oily or combination type because of hormonal changes. If you have a proper understanding of your skin type, you will care for it properly and choose products according to your skin type.
How Many Skin Types Are There?
There are 5 major skin types, which are Oily, Dry, Combination, Normal and Sensitive, each with their own characteristics.
What is Oily Skin Type?
An excess amount of sebum (oil) which gives your skin a shiny or greasy appearance, especially on the T-zone which includes your forehead, nose and chin area. Oily skin is more prone to getting clogged pores because of oil, which leads to acne or breakouts.
What to do for Oily Skin Type?
Use products that will help to control the production of oil and are oil-free in nature, like some oil-free moisturizer or toner.
What is Dry Skin Type?
Dry skin produces less sebum than a normal skin and feels tight and rough, especially after cleaning the face with a cleanser or water. Usage of harsh products on dry skin can affect badly and may be more susceptible to fine lines and wrinkles.
What to do for Dry Skin Type?
People with dry skin type should use products with hydrating properties and barrier repair works wonders for dry skin type.
What is Combination Skin Type?
This skin type is a combination of oily and dry skin types. The area around the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin area) is oily and cheeks and eyes feel dry most of the time. To manage this skin type is most difficult because of different skin care for different skin needs.
What to do for Combination Skin Type?
Take suggestion from a dermatologist or do research and use products that are specific to combination skin type, as it is easier to use one product on your face rather than using multiple products.
What is Normal Skin Type?
Normal skin is considered a balanced one, not too oily and not too dry but a perfect balance of both and is considered an ideal skin type. Normal skin is typically smooth with small pores and a healthy looking complexion. Certain environmental factors and shift in your diet can affect your skin.
What to do for Normal Skin Type?
Try to stick to your usual routine to maintain the balance in your skin, and take extra caution when the pollution is high.
What is Sensitive Skin Type?
Sensitive skin easily gets affected by external environmental factors like season changing, pollution or dust. A slight increase in pollution can sometimes trigger the sensitive skin and lead to acne or breakouts. Sensitive skin doesn’t always have to be oily or producing excess oil, sometimes it can be dry and flaky also.
What to do for Sensitive Skin Type?
Always consult your dermatologist before trying out new products. Try to use products that are suitable for sensitive skin; otherwise, using unsuitable products may lead to worsening of your skin.
How to Find Your Skin Type?
Your skin type can change over the time because of certain environmental and lifestyle factors. Check your skin once in a while and use products that are suitable for your skin type. To assess your skin type, there are so many ways through which you can check, like the visual inspection test, the blotting paper test and the touch test. To check your accurate skin type, you have to follow certain steps and after observation, you will get your exact result.
- Wash your face with a Anti-dust Facial Cleanser.
- Pat dry and leave your skin as it is, do not apply any serum or moisturizer.
- Wait for 30 minutes and analyse your skin type by using:
Visual Inspection Test
In this test, you will only have to see your skin’s texture and appearance under natural light.
- Oily Skin: If you see shine or greasy appearance across your face even without applying any serum or moisturizer, you have oily skin.
- Dry Skin: Any tightness or dry patches on face and skin appears dull; you have dry skin.
- Combination Skin: You see oil around your face T-zone and cheeks appear dry, you have combination skin.
- Sensitive Skin: Look for any redness or irritation on the bare face in response to any product.
- Normal Skin: You will not see much oil or dullness of skin.
Blotting Paper Test
In this test, you can use blotting paper and press it against your face in the morning before cleansing.
- Dry Skin: You will hardly see any oil on the blotting paper when you press it against your face.
- Oily Skin: Blotting paper will absorb much oil from your face and your skin will appear more shiny.
- Combination Skin: If you press the blotting paper on your T-zone, you will see oil but your cheeks will remain dry.
- Normal Skin: Blotting paper will pick up minimal oil, which indicates normal production of sebum.
Touch Test
In this test, you have to touch and feel different areas of your face using your fingertips to check the texture and oil.
- Dry Skin: Skin feels a little tight with dry patches.
- Oily Skin: You can see visible oil on your fingertips and your skin will feel greasy, especially in the T-zone area.
- Combination Skin: T-zone area feels oily but the area around cheeks and eyes feels normal to dry.
- Sensitive Skin: Check for any redness or irritation after touching your skin, if you feel any discomfort, wash your face.
- Normal Skin: Your skin will feel smooth on touch and a little amount of oil on your fingertips on touching.
After doing all the above-mentioned self-testing, if you are still unsure about your skin type. Get a consultation on professional skin analysis with your dermatologist for more accurate results.
Makeup Products for Different Skin Types
Everyone’s skin behaves differently, a particular product working beautifully on an oily skin type may not work on a dry skin type. It is best to know your skin type and choose makeup products which are made for your skin type.
At Colors Queen, we understand that every skin has its own rhythm and needs. To cater to every skin type, we have created dedicated sections so you can easily find what suits you best. If you feel your skin is dry and tight most of the time, then makeup products which are hydrating and creamy are perfect, check the collection of Makeup Products for Dry Skin. People with oily skin do better with products which are oil-free and light on skin, check the collection of Makeup Products for Oily Skin. If you are worried about your skin like every other girlie with sensitive skin, check the Colors Queen collection of Makeup products for Sensitive Skin.
