Recognizing Your Skin Care Type

There are five basic skin care types: Oily, combination, sensitive, dry and sun-damaged. Your skin type is determined by how much — or how little — oil your skin produces. Genes, diet, stress level, medication and even your skincare regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces.

Here are the five different skin types and their characteristics:

• Type 1: Oily
  Oily skin tends to be shiny and have enlarged pores, is prone to blackheads and blemishes   
• Type 2: Combination/normal
  This skin type has medium pores, generally a smooth texture, good circulation, a healthy color. It may tend toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone (central forehead, nose, chin)
• Type 3: Sensitive
  Sensitive skin tends to be delicate and thin with fine pores. It flushes easily, and its capillaries are prone to easy rupture. It is frequently allergic and can be rashy.
• Type 4: Dry
  Dry skin is generally characterised by a general tightness, and this can be especially so after cleansing. You may find that you have a tendency towards developing fine wrinkles, flaking and sometimes red patchy areas. Women with a lot of pigment in the skin may appear ashy or dull from dead skin buildup. 
• Type 5: Aging or sun-damaged
  This skin type is characterised by general tightness with visible wrinkles, slack skin tone — especially around the cheeks and jawline. It commonly has a shiny hard-worn texture and is prone to ruptured capillaries. 

The Skin Type Test

Here’s a straightforward test to tell what skin type you have.

1. First, wash your face gently and pat it dry 
2. Take a few pieces of rice paper (or lens-cleaning tissue) and press it gently on different spots on your face, forehead, nose, cheeks, chin
3. If you have an oily skin type then the paper will stick, pick up oily spots and become translucent. If the paper doesn’t stick or pick up any oily spots, your skin is dry. If it sticks in your t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) then you have combination (or normal) skin. About 70 percent of women have combination skin
   Choose skin care products and – women – cosmetics that match your skin type. Follow our top 5 tips below.

 Top 5 Do’s and Dont’s to Maintain Healthy Skin:

1. Stop smoking
   Smoking is the 2nd biggest cause of skin damage after sun exposure. This is mainly because Nicotine constricts blood vessels and decreases the flow of oxygen to the skin. Not good things. 
2. Use an eye cream daily
   Eyes are one of the first places to show aging. The skin around the eyes is extra thin soan  protect it from the sun with eye cream with SPF. Although a little expensive, Clarins Eye Contour Care SPF30 is a good choice, or else try Neutrogena’s Healthy Defense SPF 30 Eye Cream
3. Use retinoid lotion Retin-A or even better, Tazorac used properly not only take off lots of dead skin, but can visibly reducefine lines making you look younger. These products will not shrink pores however, since this is hereditary, so don’t believe promises of permanent reduction. You must stay out of the sun if you use retinoids – keep in mind that you are extra-susceptible to sunburns.
4. Exfoliate once a week
   Choose a formulation that’s suits your skin type. Chemical exfoliators (glycolic or salicylic acid) are best for oily or combo skin, while scrubs found in microdermabrasives work well for sensitive skins
5. Use antioxidants
   Found in green teas and beta carotene ‘Antioxidants’ help skin care by reducing the effects of free-radicals. To get the best possible protection against free-radical damage take both oral and topical antioxidants.