What's My Skin Type?

Here's a really basic breakdown of a few skin types. It's just a guide, but it may help you learn a little about your skin and what products will suit you best. Depending on what you're looking for with your skin, whether it be anti-aging, toning, acne reduction... this may help you start in the right direction.

The most important step in treating your skin is understanding your specific skin type and how it adapts to certain circumstances or seasons. Using skin care products that are too harsh which strip your skins natural oils has the potential to create even more oil. Conversely, applying moisturisers that are too thick or heavy can result in decreased natural oil production, resulting in even drier skin.

Taking the time to learn your skin’s specific needs will result in a healthier and more radiant complexion! We explain two methods below to help determine what category your skin type fits into: 

METHODS

The Bare-Faced Method

Cleanse your face thoroughly with a mild cleanser and gently pat dry. Leave skin bare (and do not apply any additional moisturisers, serums or treatments). After 30 minutes, examine your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead for any shine. After another 30 minutes, evaluate whether your skin feels parched, especially if you smile or make any other facial expressions.
-If your skin feels tight, your skin is likely dry.
-If there is noticeable shine on your nose and forehead, your skin is mostly likely normal/combination.
-If there is shine on your cheeks in addition to your forehead and nose, you most likely have oily skin.

The Blotting Sheet Method

This method is much faster and often an excellent differentiator between oily and dry skin types. Gently pat tissue paper on the different areas of your face. Hold the sheet up to the light to determine how much oil is visible.
-If the sheet picked up little to no oil, you most likely have dry skin.
-If the tissue paper reveals oil from the forehead and nose areas, your skin is normal/combination.
-And if the blotting paper is saturated with oil, it is extremely likely that you have oily skin.

SKIN TYPES

DRY SKIN

Dry skin can feel tight throughout the day, and may experience noticeable flaking. Dry skin is largely due to genetics, as well as lifestyle & diet, hormonal changes, and climate. Dehydration is also a leading cause of dry skin, so drinking plenty of water and avoiding diuretics such as alcohol and caffeine can make a noticeable difference in how your skin feels and looks.

Daily exfoliation with gentle, non-abrasive ingredients help promote skin cell turnover without removing the skin’s natural oils. Without an additional layer of dead skin, serums and treatments will be absorbed more easily. The best moisturisers for dry skin are those containing hyaluronic acid (or sodium hyaluronate), glycerin, and marine actives like algae, because of their ability to attract water and deliver it directly to skin cells. Emollients, including squalane and camellia oil, help smooth and hydrate your skin evenly and effectively.

OILY SKIN

Excess oil can oftentimes leave pores congested and clogged. But a positive to that, is that oily skin looks younger and more supple because it has more natural moisture and is less prone to wrinkles! Daily enzymatic exfoliation is essential to promote cell turnover and prevent sebum buildup in pores, causing milia. A gentle physical exfoliator (that does not use abrasives such as crushed nuts or seeds that can cause tiny tears in the dermis) is also useful for balancing the tone and texture of your skin.

Those with moderate to severe acne breakouts should consider using an exfoliator that includes anti-bacterial ingredients to speed healing and prevent future blemishes.

NORMAL/COMBINATION SKIN

People with this skin type often experience dryness on the cheeks, making it important to find a moisturiser that is not too heavy but one substantial enough to retain moisture where needed most. Those with normal skin are not prone to breakouts on their cheeks, and tend to have a well-moisturized t-zone. Gentle, daily exfoliation is also important to keep the t-zone and cheek areas balanced. Moisturisers with a gel-like texture are absorbed quickly and less likely to cause breakouts.

SENSITIVE SKIN

Managing sensitive skin can be challenging, as it takes considerable time and effort to determine which ingredients cause inflammation and irritation. It’s best to introduce one new product into your skincare regime, this rule applies to both cosmetics and skincare. Patch testing a new formula on your inner forearm or behind your ear is an effective way to minimise potential reactions before applying on the face.

Look for labels which state non-irritating and non-sensitizing and free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, sulfate detergents, phthalates, urea, DEA or TEA, as these ingredients can result in redness and itchiness.