Want to know what type of skin you have? Know more today.

When it comes to skincare, many of us want to utilise and purchase the best products for our skin but don't know “how”. Understanding your skin type will help you identify items that perform effectively for you and battle your worries without causing any harm or adverse effects in today's market, which is inundated with goods customised for various skin kinds.

Misdiagnosis of your skin type can irritate your skin and cause irritations such as excessive oil production, breakouts, acne, and even dryness. While everyone's skin is different, they can be genetically divided into four groups.

How to know your skin type?

To determine the skin type, there is a simple procedure that should be completed first.

Step 1: Wash your face in the morning using a gentle cleanser. Make sure it is a mild formula that is not very harsh on the skin.

Step 2: Pat the face with a soft napkin and leave it.

Step 3: Avoid applying any products on the skin for one hour or so.

Step 4: Spread a clean tissue on the skin and dab gently.

Step 5: Take a look at the tissue and check the face as well.

This test reveals one of the following:

Dry skin

If the tissue tends to feel tight and dry, It means that you have dry skin. Often, some flakes can also be seen on the tissue. Dry skin can feel tight throughout the day and flake easily. Genetics, environmental variables such as lifestyle and diet, hormone fluctuations, and climate all contribute to dry skin. Drinking lots of water and avoiding diuretics like alcohol and coffee can make a big impact on how the skin feels and appears.

Exfoliating daily using moderate, non-abrasive substances promotes skin cell turnover without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Serums and treatments will absorb more readily if there is no additional layer of dead skin. Because of their propensity to attract water, moisturisers containing hyaluronic acid which is typically labelled as sodium hyaluronate in ingredients, glycerin, and marine actives like algae are the best for dry skin.

Oily skin

Usually, if a person has oily skin, their skin tends to feel bare and has a glossy shine. The tissue paper appears to be smudged and stained with oil.

Excess oil can clog pores and make them look clogged. However, because oily skin has more natural moisture and is less prone to wrinkles, it seems younger and more supple.

To stimulate cell turnover and avoid sebum buildup in pores, daily enzymatic exfoliation is required. A light physical exfoliant, one that does not contain abrasives like crushed nuts or seeds, which can create microscopic tears in the dermis, can also help to balance the skin's tone and texture.

PIH also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a disorder that produces dark patches on the skin after a breakout has healed, is more common in oilier skin. Exfoliation can also help remove dark spots by removing the top layers of skin and revealing the deeper layers beneath.

Combination skin

The skin tends to feel greasy on the T-zone and the nose will be shining, whereas the cheeks may feel normal or dry. In this, the tissue will be blotted in the shape of a T, mirroring the T-zone of the face.

Dryness on the cheeks is common in people with mixed skin, so it's vital to select a moisturiser that's not too heavy but still holds moisture where it's needed the most. Combination skin is less likely to break out on the cheeks and has a well-hydrated t-zone.

Exfoliating the t-zone and cheek areas gently daily is also vital to maintain equilibrium. Gel-like moisturisers absorb faster and are less prone to cause outbreaks. To avoid over-moisturizing and straining the skin, start with a tiny amount and build up as needed.

Normal skin

For people with normal skin, the skin does not feel too dry or too oily. Moreover, the tissue appears to be clear and even throughout.

If your skin isn't extremely oily or dry, and you don't have any recurring skin issues or conditions, it's considered "normal." This skin type is well-balanced and healthy, with even moisture and hydration levels, a homogeneous texture, and no visible problem areas.

How to know your skin type of female?

We can easily test the skin type through the blotting sheet method. Take a blotting paper and gently pat it on your facial skin. Now place the blotting paper in light to see if there’s any oily/greasy appearance on it. If the sheet had little to no oily appearance then you most likely have dry skin. If the sheet has oil when tested on the forehead and nose then you have a combination skin of both dry and oily. And if the sheet shows an oily appearance on the cheeks then you have oily skin.

Skin type test at home

Clean your face with the regular cleanser you do. If it has strong combinations, prefer a mild cleanser. Wipe and dry your face gently. Do not apply lotion or cream post to that. Leave it idle for 30 minutes and now you can evaluate your skin. If you feel shiny on your nose and forehead you have the combination of dry and oily skin; if you have an oily appearance on your cheeks too then you have oily skin type; and if you didn’t feel any shine or little shine then you must have dry skin.

How to Choose Skincare Products?

Choose according to skin type:

Oily type - Excess sebum production is the operative term when it comes to oily skin. Use Benzoyl Peroxide and alpha hyaluronic acid-containing treatments to combat this. The latter aids in skin hydration. The best face moisturiser for oily skin is mild, non-comedogenic, and contains sunscreen.

Dry skin - Dry skin is more suited to cream and ointment than it is to lotion. It is less irritating, and jojoba oil, shea butter, or lactic acid-based lotions are your greatest friends. These are the ingredients in the finest moisturiser for dry skin.

Sensitive skin - The fewer components the product contains, the better for sensitive skin. Aloe, chamomile, green tea, and even shea butter are some of the best ingredients for this skin type.

How to know if you have combination skin?

The Combination zone is also called the T zone. The T refers to the forehead, cheeks and nose. Oiliness is slightly found on this T zone and the rest part of the face seems to dry up then it refers to the combination skin type. People with combination skin need to apply moisturiser on a few areas of the dried-up place.

How to change skin type from oily to normal?

A perfect skincare regime is highly recommended. Do follow the given steps to achieve your normal skin.

Wash regularly
Use toners
Keep the face dry by gentling tapping
Use medicated pads and patches
Stop smoking
Use facial masks
Apply moisturiser
Drink more water
Get enough sleep

What is Indian Skin Colour?

Indians are usually called brown people. That is not too fair or not too dark-complexioned people. Indians are coloured based on the area they were born and brought up. Usually, people in the south are dark-complexioned while those in the north are fair-complexioned.

Check the active ingredients and expiry date

When reading the label of a product you want to buy, look for the active ingredients. All of the components are listed in order of decreasing concentration. And, as a general rule, concentrate on the top five constituents, which account for 80% of the whole mixture. If you decide to buy the product, be sure the ingredients you're looking for are among the top five. When looking over the list of active ingredients, don't forget to look at the expiration date. Some items have a 12-, 24-, or 36-month shelf life after they are opened.

Take Away

The demands of our skin can change over time, so it's important to take the time to figure out what they are so that they can function and look their best. Keeping your skin's health in mind and "checking in" frequently to see whether any changes to your present regimen are required can maintain it balanced and lovely.

Always keep in mind that you don't need to use a lot of products to get results; all you need to do is discover the perfect ones for your skin type. Now that you know your skin type, you can select products created specifically for it for increased efficacy and results.

FAQS

Which skin type has pimples?

In general, oily skin is prone to acne and pimples due to excess sebum production. But then dry skin and combination skin can also have pimples based on their lifestyle and habits.

Which skin type is rare?

According to a study by U.S dermatology partners, normal skin type is the rarest. Normal skin type tends to be balanced skin, which manages the oiliness and dryness.

Which skin type is best?

Normal skin type is preferred to be the best skin type as it is best suited for every harsh condition and adjusts itself to it.

References:

What skin type do I have? By CeraVe.

Understanding skin types and conditions. By Eucerin