Finding Your Perfect Match
No, you haven't stumbled upon one of those dating sites, though I must admit I do think it would be a lot of fun to play cupid. But back to more important things. Finding your perfect skincare is very serious business indeed and to get your perfect glow it's absolutely essential that you find your perfect match. The first step to finding your perfect potion is to really discover what your skin needs. Your skin is constantly changing so it's best to get into the habit of checking the look and feel of your skin on a regular basis. To find out how to gauge the current state of your skin just head to "Skin Type Test" to find out.
So Tell Me, What's Your Type?
To make the best skincare choices it's absolutely essential that you are aware of the current state of your skin. Notice how I said "current", your skin type is not permanent. Your skin is a living, vital organ providing essential protection and as such its condition is constantly changing. So many things can impact on the condition of your skin. A few examples are - lifestyle, medication, harsh skincare regimes, stress and even the weather can affect it.
Combination - Skin Type I
Skin that is dry but has areas of shiny, oily skin. Oily areas typically appear at the hairline, nose, mouth and chin (as this is where oil producing glands are most abundant). But cheeks may feel dry and tight. Skin may also be dehydrated and that can cause dry, flaky skin to build up causing blackheads and occasional breakouts. We all suffer from this skin type at some point in our lives and it seems to be the most pernickety one to treat and it's so easy to fall into the trap of using harsh products that will increase skin sensitivity and kick start the sebaceous glands into producing even more oil. The key is to be gentle and use skincare that balances rather than irritates.
Oily Skin - Skin Type II
Skin is line free (lucky thing!) but due to excess sebum production, skin has a slightly moist texture with a lumpy & bumpy feel. You may notice that your make-up doesn’t seem to last too long and that by the by the end of the day your skin has developed an oily sheen. Pores are noticeable and you will be prone to acne breakouts and inflammation. It's essential to treat this skin type with care. Harsh cleansing regimes cause sebum production increase and create even more oil. Also, post breakout treatments must be healing to prevent scarring and skin discolouration.
Dry Skin - Skin Type III
Skin that has a fine, even complexion and pores that aren't really that noticeable. There are however areas of dry, parched skin that are prone to flakiness and can feel uncomfortably tight. You may notice occasional blackheads occur where flaky skin has built up. Dry skin can be a very delicate skin type to deal with as it can be very sensitive to external stressors, such as cold weather, central heating and those brutal anti-ageing skincare products.
Damaged/Sluggish Skin - Skin Type IV
Skin that has lost its natural glow and tone. Sun damage has taken its toll and the skin has a thicker, ruddy texture with a tendency to flush and redden easily. Overly rich skincare products can make this skin type a whole lot worse by blocking pores and causing whiteheads to appear, while harsh "anti-ageing" products that often targeted towards this skin type can cause skin sensitivity, redness and flakiness.
Fine/Sensitive - Skin Type V
Skin that is ultra sensitive, easily irritated (wait a bit, that sounds like a description of my somewhat temperamental personality!) and prone to Rosacea. Skin is finely textured and may have visible thread veins around nose and cheeks. This skin type is usually experienced by those who have had a history of acne and/or sun damage. This skin type must be treated oh, so very gently! No nasty chemicals and no overly rich products.
Highly Reactive - Skin Type VI
We all at some point do suffer with highly reactive skin. It could be caused by using a harsh skincare product, taking certain medication or skin could just be going through that "awkward stage". Highly reactive skin cannot tolerate most skincare products as their myriad of harsh ingredients (such as fragrances, silicones, acids, etc) may trigger some real problems.
