Skin is not just skin. When choosing skincare, especially facial care, it is important to know your own skin type. Every complexion has different needs that have to be taken into account in daily care. We reveal how your own skin type can be determined, what characteristics the different skin types have, and give expert tips on the right care.
Determine skin type: What skin type am I?
In order to determine your own skin type, it is first of all important to know which skin types there are and what properties they have. The following skin type test includes various characteristics of the respective skin type
To determine your own skin type, you must check whether the properties and characteristics presented apply to your own skin type. If a large part of the properties matches the characteristics of your own skin, you are very likely to belong to the corresponding skin type. With certainty, however, the skin type and the skin situation can only be determined by experts such as beauticians or dermatologists.
I am a dry skin type because of my skin …
- looks brittle after getting up,
- is characterized by a slightly dull complexion,
- has no natural shine, blushes quickly, itches and tends to dandruff?
- tensions especially after showering.
I am among the oily skin types because of my skin …
- mostly looks very greasy and shiny,
- tends to produce excessive sebum,
- often shows impurities such as pimples and blackheads.
I have combination skin because of my skin …
- is oilier on the forehead, nose, and chin (T-zone) and tends to be impure,
- on the cheeks and mostly around the eyes is very dry.
I belong to sensitive skin types because of my skin …
- reacts to warmth and cold with redness,
- often burns or itches after applying beauty products,
- is very sensitive to the sun and I get sunburned quickly.
Your skin type only reflects the current skin situation, it can change over the years. Hormonal changes, care products, climatic conditions, or even medication can be responsible for this.
Whether dry, sensitive, oily, or mixed type – each skin type has different properties and causes and should be cleaned and cared for with perfectly coordinated beauty products. We give recommendations regarding preferred ingredients and tips for type-appropriate skincare.
The Dry skin types
Dry skin types often have to deal with severe itching, feelings of tension, and dandruff. Dry skin is particularly uncomfortable in the colder months. What are the causes of this and what should you watch out for in daily face and body care?
Causes of dry skin
Dry skin can be innate as well as being caused or favored by external influences such as temperature fluctuations, low humidity, high sun exposure, or poor nutrition.
Dry skin can no longer defend itself against external influences. Bacteria have free play and favor blemishes like pimples. The most important measure for dry skin is to restore the barrier function. Mild products with soothing and moisturizing ingredients help.
Lipid-rich and moisturizing products are ideal for type-appropriate skincare. Perfumed cleaning agents with preservatives should be avoided, as dry skin types that are easily irritated can react quickly to allergies.
Natural vegetable oils are ideal for the care of dry skin because they enclose the skin like a protective film. This prevents the skin from losing moisture. At the same time, it is supplied with important lipids. However, the care products should not contain any natural fragrances such as mint or eucalyptus, as these additionally irritate the skin.
Other ingredients for the treatment of dry complexions are e.g. B. glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. With their help, the skin’s moisture balance can be improved and the skin can be protected from harmful external influences.
Care tips for dry skin types
- Dry skin types should only wash the face with a mild cleanser once a day.
- Then apply a moisturizer to moist skin so that the moisture is trapped.
- It is best to use the moisturizer several times a day, especially on cooler days.
- To remove dead skin cells, gentle exfoliants with glycolic acid (e.g. fruit acid peels) should be used instead of scrubs (mechanical peels).
- Before going to bed, it is recommended to apply a layer of petroleum jelly or a 100% natural oil (e.g. jojoba oil) to the moisturizer.
What should also be considered:
- For a sufficiently high level of humidity in the apartment or house of around 60% (check regularly and help with water bowls or humidifiers if necessary)
- A balanced diet with antioxidants and sufficient polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Good water quality (hard water can irritate and dry the skin)
- Adequate hydration (drink at least 1.5 liters of water or unsweetened tea a day)
- Avoid extensive care measures such as long shower or bath and hot saunas
The oily skin type
Oily skin types tend to have large pores, increased sebum production, and often have to deal with blackheads and pimples. The key to maintaining oily and oily skin is correct cleaning. We explain what should be taken into account in daily care and cleaning, which ingredients are recommended, and what causes oily skin.
Causes of oily complexions
Oily skin types are sometimes inherited. Other causes can e.g. B. Hormone changes in pregnancy and menopause. Taking the contraceptive pill can also make the skin temporarily oily. In addition, certain foods and cosmetic products help increase sebum production.
But what does increased sebum production actually mean? The sebum glands are responsible for the formation of sebum. This oily secretion is important for the hydration of the skin. With an increased valley production, too much sebum is formed, which then deposits on the skin and ensures the shine typical of oily skin types. In addition, the sebum builds up in the glands, causing them to widen and clog the pores. If bacteria still find their way onto the skin, inflammation, pimples, and blackheads are the result.
Ingredients for the care of oily skin
Mild, calming, and sebum-regulating products are particularly suitable for the care of oily skin types.
Care tips for oily skin types
- Oily skin types should not cleanse their skin excessively, twice a day is sufficient.
- Avoid drying products (e.g. products with alcohol).
- Don’t use strong cleaning products or scrubs with large, sharp-edged abrasive grains.
- Gentle peeling such as an exfoliant containing salicylic acid can remove sebum and dead skin cells.
- Replace the moisturizer with a mild, non-drying toner during the day.
- Use Water-based products, i.e. products in which aqua is at the top of the list of ingredients.
- A matting powder helps against the shine.
Home remedies for the treatment of oily skin
Chamomile: A steam treatment with chamomile tea has a calming effect on the skin. However, the steam bath should not be too hot, as hot temperatures can stimulate sebum production.
Apple cider vinegar: A facial tonic with apple cider vinegar is ideal for the care of oily skin. Vinegar has an antibacterial effect and brings the pH of the skin back into balance. Simply mix distilled water and apple cider vinegar in a glass (¼ vinegar and ¾ water), immerse with a cotton ball, and gently rub the face. Wash the face with water after about ten minutes.
Cucumbers: Cucumbers contain antioxidant vitamins that protect the skin from molecular compounds that damage cells – the so-called free radicals. For facial care, simply cut a few thick slices off the cucumber before going to bed, rub it in thoroughly with the face and rinse with lukewarm water in the morning.
Read our article about the 6 Best Skincare Tips for Oily skin for more information.
The combination skin
Combination skin is by far the most common skin type, the care of which is the most difficult of all skin types. Combination skin has both dry and greasy areas. Cheeks and eye areas are mostly dry and sometimes even red and scaly – but the chin, nose, and forehead are greasy. Enlarged pores and blemishes like pimples are more visible around the T-zone . We explain the causes of combination skin and it’s skincare tips below.
Causes of combination skin
As with dry and oily skin types, combination skin can also be congenital. Other causes include hormonal changes in pregnancy or menopause and the use of unsuitable beauty products. Cosmetics with irritating ingredients such as fragrances or synthetic dyes can cause redness and dry spots and at the same time, cause increased sebum production in the T-Zone.
Ingredients for the care of combination skin
Since combination skin combines two skin types, it can be a challenge to find the optimal care. There is a demand for products with ingredients that are made for the needs of both types. You can also use different products for the respective areas of the face.
For the care of combination skin, use Beauty products with vegetable ingredients such as marigold extract, chamomile, urea, elderberry, lemon balm, mallow, and witch hazel. The fabrics have an antibacterial, clarifying, and pore-refining effect. In addition, they regulate and reduce sebum production.
Care tips for combination skin
- Clean your face twice a day.
- A mild cleanser that neither dries out the skin nor stimulates sebum production is the best for you.
- For the T-zone use a cleansing gel or facial toner and for the dry cheek area use mild cleansing milk, or foam.
- Take care of dry skin and soothe the oily skin.
- To treat the oily areas of the skin, cleaning with a facial toner is often sufficient; use a moisturizer for the care of dry skin areas.
- You can also maintain the T-Zone with it if the cream is not too moisturizing,
- Also, ensure thorough cleaning. Try regular scrubbing and peeling. Choose a mild product and use it only once a week.
The two different skin areas can be treated by using different products if it is very visible. Mixed types with less pronounced skin features can fall back on cosmetic products specially developed for the combination skin, which both soothe the greasy T-zone and care for the dry cheek and eye area and provide them with moisture.
The sensitive skin type
Sensitive skin types are very common. This affects about half of the people. They have to deal with redness that occurs due to temperature fluctuations, stains, or rough spots. Light-sensitive types with fair skin, freckles, and blond or reddish hair also often suffer from these symptoms. In the following section, we explain what causes sensitive skin and what care products and ingredients are suitable for sensitive skin types.
Causes of sensitive skin
The cause of a sensitive skin type can be a skin condition like rosacea. In some cases, an allergy to a certain cosmetic ingredient is the reason for sensitive skin. However, often, this type of skin can also be a result of the beauty products that are not made for them.
Ingredients for the care of sensitive skin
Sensitive skin types should use selected care product carefully. This is the only way to determine how the skin reacts to cosmetics. Use products with niacinamide, allantoin, panthenol, vitamins C and E, and other antioxidants. These ingredients have a calming and anti-inflammatory effect and regenerate the skin’s moisture balance.
Natural ingredients such as soy, licorice root, coffee cherries, oatmeal, and green tea extracts can also improve the skin condition of sensitive skin types.
When choosing cosmetic products, it is important to ensure that they are free from fragrances, colors, and preservatives. If possible PEG emulators – water-soluble molecular compounds that are used in cosmetics to combine fat and moisture – should not be included in skincare.
Care tips for sensitive skin types
- Sensitive skin types should wash their face with a mild cleanser at most once a day.
- The best thing to do without alternating showers, steam baths, and scrubs.
- Use sun protection products with a high sun protection factor and avoid long sunbathing.
- Ensure a balanced and healthy diet: It can be assumed that there is a connection between poor intestinal function and troubled skin.
- Trying to relax: stress causes sensitive and restless skin.
- Coffee, black tea, very spicy and spicy foods, cigarettes and excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided.
- Adequate hydration is very important for sensitive skin types: So, drink plenty of water!
Anti-aging care for sensitive skin
Due to their mostly thin and dry skin, sensitive skin types get wrinkles faster than other skin types. If you want to effectively fight wrinkles and other signs of aging, you need care products with anti-aging ingredients. When using products containing retinol – the so-called “miracle weapon” against wrinkles caution should be exercised. Retinol dries out the skin easily and can also cause small blemishes. If you still do not want to do without the anti-aging active ingredient, you should choose products with a very low retinol concentration. Products with hyaluronic acid, which provide the skin with intensive moisture and do not irritate it, are more suitable for the anti-aging care of sensitive skin types.
Skin types based on UV sensitivity
The combination skin, dry, oily, and sensitive skin types have further distinctions between them . With these types, the focus is not on the current skin condition, but on the sensitivity to light.
Type I – Celtic skin type
The Celtic skin type has a very light skin tone, reddish or light blonde hair, and freckles. It does not turn brown but gets sunburn very often.
Type II – Nordic type
Nordic skin types have light skin tones, blonde, light brown, or dark brown hair and often freckles. They turn brown very slowly and minimally, if at all. The Nordic type often suffers from sunburn, has a high risk of skin cancer, and an internal protection time of 10 to 20 minutes.
Type III – the mixed type
Characteristics of the mixed type are a medium skin tone, blonde, brown, sometimes black hair, and few freckles. Mixed types get a slow but progressive tan. With a moderately increased risk of skin cancer and a protective period of 20 to 30 minutes, this skin type sometimes gets sunburnt.
Type IV – Mediterranean type
Mediterranean skin types have brown or olive skin, brown or black hair, and no freckles. They rarely get sunburnt, have a low risk of skin cancer but turn brown quickly. Your own protection time is over 30 minutes.
Type V – Dark skin type
The dark skin type has dark to light brown skin, has black hair and no freckles. The risk of skin cancer and getting burnt is low. The intrinsic protection time for dark skin types is over 90 minutes.
Type VI – Black skin type
Black skin types have dark brown to black skin, black hair, and no freckles. You have practically no risk of skin cancer and practically never suffer from sunburn. Your own protection time is over 90 minutes.
UV sensitivity of the skin varies from person to person and ps genetically determined. As a rule of thumb, the lighter the skin type, the more sensitive it is to UV radiation, and the more intensive the protective measures must be. It is important to know the self-protection time when choosing suitable sunscreens.
Comments are closed.