the 5 different skin types

In order to make the right decision about skincare and treatment that will meet your skin's special needs, you should know what skin type you have. First, your skin type is determined genetically.

But the health and beauty of your skin in later years usually depend on what you eat and how you take care of it. If you want to look gorgeous all the time, you need to know your skin type first, so you can improve your appearance and reduce the signs of aging with the best recommended methods.

The skin types are classified by several criteria. Each type of skin has its own characteristics and needs different care. As What is the best oil for body? said before, the skin type is determined by genetics, although it will also be affected by other factors and can change with time. However, the type of skin is determined by how much sebum a person’s skin produces.

What are the different skin types?

The American Academy of Dermatology recognizes 5 main skin types:

• dry

• oily

• combination

• sensitive

• normal

Now, we describe the main characteristics of the 5 different skin types.

Dry skin type

When the water rate in the upper layer of our skin falls below normal values, dryness begins to occur on the skin. In most cases, dry skin is caused by external factors such as weather, low humidity, and immersion in hot water and is usually temporary. A decrease in sebum production in the skin is one of the reasons that cause skin dryness. So what are the signs of dry skin type?

• A dull gray-white color in the skin

• The feeling of tightness and itching in the skin

• Exfoliation

• Roughness on the skin surface

• Cracking and burning sensation

• Redness

Oily skin type

Oily skin has a porous, moist, and shiny appearance. It is caused by excessive oil production of the sebaceous glands and is usually determined by genetic or hormonal reasons. It is common in adolescents and young people under the age of 30 and is usually related to acne formation.

If a person's skin is oily, their skin produces more sebum than it needs. So they can notice their skin:

• feels oily

• looks bright, especially around the nose and forehead

• has large pores that fill easily

• prone to pimples or blackheads

Combination skin type

Since the distribution of sebaceous and sweat glands is not homogeneous, a combination skin type shows both dry and oily skin characteristics. The area containing more oil is usually the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), while the skin on the cheeks is normal or dry.

Sensitive skin type

Sensitive skin can be easily irritated or inflamed. If a person's skin is sensitive, we may see the following conditions on their skin:

• skin that burns, stings, or itches when applying outputs

• apparent reactions to substances, with bumps, hives, or peeling

Normal skin type

Normal skin type is neither too dry nor too oily. It has a regular texture, has no flaws, has a clean, soft look, and does not require special care. This skin type produces enough sebum to moisturize the skin evenly without making it oily.

Which of the 5 different skin types do you have?

Take a piece of blotter paper and pat it lightly on your face. Hold it against bright light. If you see little or no oil, you most likely have dry skin. If the blotter paper gets some oil from the T-zone, you probably have combination or normal skin. If you get oil from all over your face, you probably have oily skin.