Skin Care

Get to Know Your Skin Better

(Intro) Understanding what kind of skin we have brings us closer to choosing the right kind of skin care for it.

As we go about our daily routine our skin faces constant attack from the elements of nature like dust, sun, dirt, humidity etc. And we compound its misery with our unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle. All that oily food you have, the overtime you work, the crazy late night parties, excessive drinking and smoking and insufficient sleep take their toll on your skin.

There are Five Basic Types of Skin…

Skin care depends a lot on your understanding of your skin type. Knowing what type of skin you have go a long way to help you choose appropriate skin care products for yourself. Not understanding your skin can put you through a lot of trouble when it comes to your beauty regime. You may end up experimenting with all skin care products that you come across, often with adverse results.

Broadly speaking, there are five basic skin types based on the texture of the skin – normal, dry, oily, sensitive and combination.

Normal Skin is to die for…

Normal Skin is the type of skin that all those gorgeous models seem to flaunt while advertising various skin care products. They just make you want to go and grab that cream or lotion in the hope that you’ll end up with similar skin! Normal skin is soft and supple, has good elasticity, looks vibrant, and is firm to touch. It is neither to dry nor too oily as it has a perfect balance between oil and moisture. If you are blessed with normal skin, you do not need an elaborate skin care ritual. Simple – cleanse, tone and moisturize, and you are good to go.

Dry Skin can be Problematic…

Dry Skin occurs when the oil glands are incapable of producing enough sebum to moisturize the skin. This kind of skin flakes easily and can look dull and lifeless. People with dry skin will seem to age faster and be more prone to getting wrinkles and line. However if you have a lot of water and other healthy fluids and hydrate your skin with a good moisturizer, you will be able to combat the dryness.

Oily Skin is more prone to Pimples…

Think of the skin of any average teenager and you’ll know what oily skin is. People with oily skin have larger and more visible pores. The skin looks shiny and has a greasy feel when you touch it. Due the excess oil in the skin and its tendency to attract dirt and grime, oily skin is prone to problems like acne, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads etc. However, in sharp contrast to dry skin, oily skin remains supple and more youthful looking. Regular steaming and face masks can prove to be beneficial for oily skin.

Combination Skin can’t make up its Mind…

As the name suggests, this type of skin is a combination of both oily and dry skin. In typical cases, the T-Zone area of the face, made up by the forehead, nose and chin is oily, whereas the area around the cheeks, mouth eyes are either normal or dry. It becomes a little difficult to choose the right skin care product for this type of skin. However, it is suggested that instead of using one product, use two to target the oily and dry areas separately.

Sensitive Skin reacts easily…

Sensitive skin is just what the name suggests, extremely sensitive. It burns easily in the sun, can develop rashes if exposed for too long to wind and extreme temperatures, and reacts adversely to skin products that have chemicals and artificial colors. It can be best described as a “handle-with-care” skin. For sensitive skin it is best to use natural skin care products and essential oils, with some light steaming and herbal face masks.