With so many products to choose from, creating a skin care routine tailored to your unique skin may seem like an impossible task. Achieving your skin care goals starts with knowing your skin type and how it impacts the look and feel of your skin.
The Derm is here to help! Keep reading to learn the most common skin types and how to determine what skin type you have. Your dermatologist can use this information to build a customized skin care routine just for you, ensuring that the skin care products and cosmetic treatments you use fit your skin’s needs.
A few skin type facts
Before we explore the various skin types, it’s important to note that your skin type will likely change over time, especially as you age. For instance, teens and younger adults are more likely to have normal skin than older adults.
Your current skin type depends on several factors, including:
External factors – such as genetics, sun damage, stress, or even the climate you live in – can also affect your skin type. For example, the cold temperatures and intense wind during Chicago winters make it harder for skin to retain moisture.
Skin types
Normal skin
This is the skin type that most people want to achieve. Normal skin is well-balanced, with no significant dryness or oiliness. Most people with normal skin also have:
Combination skin
Combination skin – when your skin is normal or dry in some areas and oily in others – is the most common skin type.
Combination skin usually requires slightly different care in different areas. For instance, people with combination skin may have dry skin on their cheeks but oily skin on their T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). They may also have:
Dry skin
Due to a lack of moisture, dry skin can become itchy, irritated, or inflamed. It often flakes, cracks, or peels. Very dry skin can become rough and scaly, especially on the backs of your hands, arms, and legs.
People with dry skin may also have:
Oily skin
Oily skin is caused by excess oil production, which often results in blackheads, pimples, or other blemishes. Puberty or other hormonal balances can cause or worsen oily skin.
People with oily skin may also have:
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is easily irritated, often leading to redness, itching, burning, dryness, and/or breakouts. Many people mistakenly use the wrong skin care products for their skin type.
If you have sensitive skin, your dermatologist will try to identify what your triggers are, so you can avoid products that contain them.
How to determine your skin type
The skin care experts at The Derm can quickly determine your skin type during an in-office visit, but there are also ways to assess your skin yourself.
The blotting sheet method
By using blotting sheets to absorb oil from your skin, you can guess your skin type based on the oil residue left behind. Follow these steps:
Here’s what the results mean:
The day test
You can also guess your skin type by observing how your skin performs from morning to evening on a typical day. Take note of how your skin feels when you wake up, in the middle of the day, and just before bedtime.
Here’s what the results mean:
Ask your dermatologist
Are you ready to stop saying “probably” and find out for sure? Before you buy new products or make any adjustments your skin care routine, let The Derm confirm your skin type and assess any other factors that contribute to the look and feel of your skin.
If you have specific skin concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, dullness, or breakouts, we’ll discuss those as well. Your skin care routine can be tailored to address these concerns while considering your skin type.
Solve the skin type mystery
Your skin is just as unique as you are. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another – that’s why you need a customized skin care routine created just for you. To learn more about your skin type and the many skin care solutions we offer, schedule an appointment with The Derm today.
