Combination Skin Type

Most people have at least two different types of facial skin at any given time. The combination of skin is frequently characterized by an oily “T-zone” area, which covers the forehead, nose and chin. While the skin around the cheeks, eyes and mouth is normal or dry. These different types of skin call for different treatments, so people with combination skin should assess their skin regularly and use different products on different areas of the face.

Combination skin routines usually include the following recommendations:

• Treat oily and dry areas differently. Treat your scalp as well.
• Wash your skin with a mild cleanser twice daily. Get a cleanser free of soap, harsh detergents or alcohol, ideally containing an oil production reducing agent, such as salicylic acid, tea-tree oil.
• Switch to anti-dandruff shampoos (e.g. ZPTO-pyrithione zinc or selenium sulfide shampoos, tea-tree oil, arnica, neem) and/or anti-yeast shampoos (e.g. ketoconazole shampoo). Use every other day until dandruff and other symptoms are under control; use twice a week after that.
• After washing apply oil-free moisturizer (you can moisturize dry areas only). You can also apply oil-free moisturizer to dry areas throughout the day as needed.
• Use oil-free sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.
• Some people with combination skin may benefit from a combination of two masks used once a week. A clay mask is applied to the oily area and a moisturizing mask - to the dry areas.

Next Article: Basic steps of facial skin care routine: Cleansing & Toning….

Normal Skin Type

In normal skin, the oil glands produce sebum at a moderate rate, resulting in a balanced state, not too oily and not too dry. Normal skin looks consistently plump, moist, and vibrant. What a great blessing but it still requires no less attention than other skin types. It benefits from regular cleansing, toning and moisturizing.

The more normal your skin is the less basic maintenance it needs. Unfortunately, perfectly normal skin is almost as rare as perfect health. Most people have some elements of dryness, oiliness, acne, seborrhea or other irregularities. If your skin is normal, your basic routine can be very simple.

• Cleanse twice a day with a soap-free cleanser. Avoid cleansers and toners with alcohol, soaps or harsh detergents.
• After cleansing apply oil-free or low-oil/non-greasy moisturizer while the skin is still damp. This step is optional. Not everyone with normal skin necessarily benefits from moisturizing. You have to weight the negatives of applying unnecessary chemicals versus the possibility that skipping the moisturizer after cleansing may contribute to your developing dry skin some day.
• Use sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.

Optionally, use a moisturizing or exfoliating mask once a week.

Next article: Combination skin type Recommendations

Sensitive Skin Type

Sensitive skin can be dry, normal, or oily and is characterized by delicacy which is why we feel it is more of a skin condition than a skin type. It frequently reacts adversely to environmental conditions and often requires special treatment in order to remain in good condition. This skin type is prone to react adversely to cosmetics containing alcohol, synthetically manufactured oil type ingredients, fragrance oils, and artificial colors. Sensitive skin benefits greatly from natural, gentle, skin care products and treatments, including light steaming and some essential oils.

Sensitive skin routines usually include the following recommendations:

• Use products that contain as few preservatives, fragrances, colorings and other redundant ingredients as possible.
• Avoid toners which contain alcohol and/or other irritants.
• Avoid (or at least be very careful with) acidic and other potentially irritating skin care, such as alpha hydroxy products or retinoids.
• Avoid harsh detergents, both in your shower and in your laundry.
• Minimize the use of makeup and avoid makeup removers. If you must use makeup, use hypoallegenic, easly-to-remove kinds. You can use a dab of olive or mineral oil to help dissolve and remove the makeup.
• After cleansing apply hypoallergenic, non comedogenic moisturizer. Do it while skin is still damp to help seal the moisture.
• Clean your skin once or twice a day with alcohol-free, soap-free, moisturizing cleanser.
• Use hypoallergenic oil-free sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.

Next Article: Normal skin type Recommendations

Oily Skin Type

Oily skin is caused by glands that produce too much sebum, resulting in skin that has a greasy slippery texture, appears shiny and is frequently has large, clogged pores. Oily skin types are prone to develop acne, a condition resulting from sebum trapped inside the skin and causing pus-filled lesions known as comedones. Despite these drawbacks, oily skin generally remains younger looking and more supple over time than other skin types. Oily skin benefits from periodic herbal steam treatments and clay masks.

Oily skin routines usually include the following recommendations:

• Wash your skin twice a day with a cleanser containing tea-tree oil that reduces sebum production and also works as a antiseptic, antibacterial agent.
• If you skin is extremely oily (e.g. oily even after basic cleansing), you can follow with alcohol-based toner with salicylic acid. Most people should avoid alcohol-based cleansers and toners due to the drying effect of alcohol. However, for extreme cases of oily skin, it may just do the trick.
• Generally, people with oily skin shouldn't moisturize. If you feel you have to, apply non occlusive, non comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer after cleansing.
• Use oil-free, non comedogenic sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.

If the above steps are insufficient and you are still producing too much oil, try treatments that reduce sebum production. They include topical vitamin A creams (retinol, retinal or retinyl palmitate), sulphur creams, azeleic acid and retinoids (tretinoin, tazarotene, adapalene). Retinoids and high-strength sulfur creams require a prescription. If your oil problem is so bad that you are considering prescription treatments, you should probably see a dermatologist anyway.

Some people with oily skin may benefit from a clay/mud mask once a week.

Next Article: Sensitive skin type Recommendations……

Dry Skin Type

Dry skin is caused by under or inactive oil glands that do not produce enough sebum to keep the skin naturally lubricated. It usually has a dull appearance, feels dry and itchy and is sometimes sensitive. Dry skin must be hydrated regularly from the inside (with fresh water) and outside with (mists), as well as moisturized with rich hydrating creams or lotions.

Dry skin routines usually include the following recommendations:

• Cleanse your skin once or twice a day with a moisturizing, soap-free cleanser. Never use cleansers or toners with alcohol, soaps or harsh detergents.
• After cleansing, apply moisturizer while skin is still damp to help seal moisture.
• It is best to use non-greasy moisturizers. However, as opposed to oily and normal skin types, dry skin moisturizers may contain some oil or similar hydrophobic emollients.
• If your skin becomes dry again soon after moisturizing, you may need a long-lasting moisturizer. Certain ingredients make moisturizers last longer. For example, moisturizer with milk protiens.
• Some people with dry skin may benefit from a moisturizing mask once a week.
• Use sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.
• Drink plenty of water. Eight glasses a day is generally recommended.
• Avoid exposure to harsh detergents, whether directly or via clothing washed in harsh detergents. Sometimes one can improve dry skin by simply abandoning the use of shower gels and/or changing the brand of laundry detergent.

Next article: Oily skin type Recommendations