There is a fine line between your makeup and your desired makeup look and to cover that line the important aspect is skin knowledge. The first step in makeup is to know your skin type.
I’ve known many people who are unable to tell the difference between their skin types and this is mainly because of combination skin or climate changes.
Skin is called the largest organ of the body, a very important part but is different for everyone. Skin naturally produces oil which is called Sebum. This is the phenomenon that makes a difference between your skin types. If you want to achieve a healthy and flawless skin, you must follow your customized regime. I want everyone to know what products should be used for which type of skin and which products to avoid that can affect badly. To learn how to prevent skin from any side effects or reactions from cosmetics, read it till the end.
You may have skin problems like acne, rosacea, fine lines or even smallest ones like dark circles, all such conditions have solutions which you can refer to a dermatologist.
Skin type is something that can change overtime due to various reasons. Your skin elasticity is the amount of water your skin has and softness is the oiliness of the skin.
Now lets understand the types of skin:
- Dry Skin:
When you feel your skin is a bit rough or dull, that is dry skin. Your skin may start peeling sometime and it will lose its elasticity. It may have some fine lines and flakes can be formed on the top layer of the skin. That is the condition of very dry skin. You will feel your skin tightening, there may be some pre- mature wrinkles and it gets easily reddened. There is less production of sebum in dry skin.
- Oily Skin:
If you have oily skin you may naturally feel it as the oil production is very high. The excess sebum creates a shiny appearance on the skin. This skin has enlarged pores and may feel greasy. You will see blackheads and whiteheads near your nose and chin area. The skin will feel smoother than the dry skin. There may be the chances of pimples and blemishes as the skin is acne prone at any age.
- Normal Skin:
It is neither dry nor oily skin. It has no visible pores and has a smooth texture. This skin is very low maintenance as not much effort is required for normal skin. It is free of problems and the best type of skin out there.
- Combination Skin:
This type of skin has properties of normal skin, dry skin and oily skin. Some parts of the face are oily while some dry or normal. Most people have oily skin in the T-zone. T-zone is the part of the face including forehead, nose and chin. And the remaining part i.e. cheeks may be dry or normal. You may have large pores, blackheads and feel your T-zone shiny like oily skin. There may be changes in your skin type due to seasons, stress and hormones.
- Sensitive Skin
It is a type of condition that can be in oil or dry skin. You may not be able to use any chemicals as they may cause rashes, itchiness or redness. You should use skin friendly soothing products.
How to check your Skin Type?
- Bare-face Method
It is the most commonly used and easiest method. Wash your face and let it dry for about 30 mins. If you feel a bit tight you have dry skin but if there is oil in t-zone its combination skin. If you feel cleaner skin and can visibly see your pores, you have got oily skin. If you get some rash or itchiness it’s sensitive..
- Blotting Paper Method
To know how to check skin type, first wash your face and leave it bare for 30 mins. Use the blotting paper on face and observe in the bright light if there is oily on the paper, its oily skin. If its only in some region its combination skin, but if there is no oil on paper its dry skin.
- Tissue Method
This test is similar to the Blotting paper test. After 30 mins of face wash use tissue to wipe your face and check if there is any oil on the tissue. If there is no oil it means you have dry skin but if you get oil on cheeks as well as t-zone , it’s definitely oily skin. But if only some part of the tissue is covered in oil, only that is the oily area of your combination skin.
- Pores Visibility
Oily skin naturally has visibly larger pores. So if you can see your pores, its oily skin, if not its dry or normal skin.
What are the causes of your skin type?
As skin type can change over time, along with genetics there may be other reasons so lets understand it:
- Oily skin
This skin may be genetic but can also be the result of hormones changing. If you have large pores, excess sebum will be released. Avoid harsh soaps and excess exfoliating as you have got oily skin.
- Dry skin
If you are taking long baths and rubbing your skin for a massage without knowing proper procedure, you may rip off your skin from the required oil. Dry skin is also seasonal as in winters most of you feel tightness in your skin. Another reason may be the increasing age, as sebum production decreases with increase in age..
- Combination skin
This may be caused by changing of products or use of harsh products. This type of skin is very dependable on climate as in summer it will be oily and in winter it is dry.
How to take care of your skin type?
- Oily skin
Use a moisturizer that stop your over production of sebum and do not clog pores. You can go for a non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Go for products which are lightweight and contain enough water to keep skin moist. Wash your face with oil control face wash twice a day daily. Do not allow impurities to clog your pores also don’t over wash that may cause rashes and make the skin sensitive. Do not scrub your face and use gentle cleansers. Never forget to properly clean your face and applying toner after removing makeup. Use foundations best for oily skin only. You may have acne prone skin so try to avoid touching your face to prevent any infection.
- Dry skin
Try to avoid face wash more than twice a day. Take short showers, pat skin gently and then apply moisturizer. Don’t scrub and drink lots of water regularly, also don’t forget to apply sunscreen after every 2-3 hours as it will keep skin moisturized.
- Normal skin
Keep your body hydrated, apply sunscreen and use moisturizer that can keep skin from over producing sebum. Remove makeup before sleeping and properly clean your face.
- Combination skin
You have to properly analyze your skin if you have got combination skin. Don’t scrub and gently exfoliate too much and use oil free sunscreen. You have to use two types of skin care according to your type match. Use oil free products for oily area mainly t-zone and dense and creamy products for dry skin mainly cheeks.
5. Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, never apply any product directly on your skin. Always test it on your neck area and try to use less chemicals. If you are good to go then only opt for that product.
Take good care of your skin using CTM routine which includes cleaning, toner and moisturizer and primer before makeup application. Have a look on types of foundation for all skin types. Only after knowing the skin type you find the right foundation shade. If you know this then you get the hand on achieving nude makeup look. You can comment if you have got any queries regarding your skin type. Learn about right selection of eye makeup according to eye shape and eye shadow types, contouring, highlighters, blushers.
