A Guide to Skin Types

The k-beauty industry and skincare in general is huge. An enormous amount of products are hitting the market each year and it might not be easy for the regular person to figure out which skincare product is appropriate for their needs.

The first consideration when deciding what to buy is to know your skin type!

How to determine your skin type?

If you’re not sure how to figure out your skin type, you can follow this method:

  1. Wash your face with a mild, gentle cleanser and pat the skin dry.
  2. Don’t apply any products for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Grab a mirror and examine your face.

What’s the first thing you notice – tightness, oily T-zone, dry cheeks, redness? Continue below for a quick guide that will help you determine your skin type along with a curated selection of products for each one.

Guide:

There are 4 skin types (Normal, Dry, Oily and Combination) which are mostly determined by the amount of Sebum (oil)  produced by the skin, genetics, diet and other external factors such as air quality etc.

 

 

Normal Skin:

The "normal" skin is perfectly balance, it is neither too oily nor too dry. It retains the moisture well and produces just enough sebum to keep the skin smooth and soft.

Characteristics:

  • Fine, small pores
  • Supple texture (not tight)
  • Little to no blemishes (acne)
  • No severe sensitivity
  • Radiant complexion

Recommendations:

  • Supplement the skin antioxidants and vitamins to improve it's healthy glow.
  • Use Sunscreen religiously.

 

Dry Skin:

The "dry" is producing significantly less sebum than the normal skin. The reduce amount of lipids in the skin makes it difficult for the skin layers to retain moisture. As a result, the skin is tight, dehydrated and less effective in blocking external pollutants, allergens from penetrating the skin.

Characteristics:

  • Invisible pores
  • Tight, rough skin texture
  • Itchiness, flakes of dead skin
  • More visible lines, wrinkles
  • Dull complexion
  • Highly sensitive

Recommendations:

  • Keeping the skin hydrated to prevent moisture loss.
  • Focus on repairing the lipid barrier to reduce moisture loss.
  • Formulas containing actives such as Hyaluronic acid (HA), Ceramide give dry skin the care it needs.
  • Do not use alkaline (High pH) cleansers that strip away skin lipids barrier. Instead, use cleansers with a pH 5 – 5.5 (skin natural pH)
  • Skin care products with alcohols, parabens, colorants or perfumes are too irritating for a dry skin. To avoid.
  • Drink lots of fluids.

 

Oily Skin:

The "oily" skin is producing too much sebum. The excess oil is an effective barrier to protect the skin from external pollutants however, too much sebum can clog the pores (comedone) and cause acne.

Characteristics:

  • Large, visible pores
  • Shiny
  • Very prone to acne (pimples)

Recommendations:

  • Do not pop or squeeze pimples. Use a pimple patch to not damage the skin.
  • Use "non-comedogenic" cosmetics (products that do not clog the pores or cause irritation).
  • Do not use alkaline (High pH) cleansers that strip away skin lipids barrier. Instead, use cleansers with a pH 5 – 5.5 (skin natural pH).
  • Avoid products like face oils, rich moisturizing cream. Instead, use water based humectants to keep your skin hydrated (emulsions/lotions, gel like moisturizers).
  • Use products with "Comedonlytics" (un-clogs the pores) ingredients such as: Salicylic acid (BHA), Retinoid, Vitamin A.

 

Combination Skin:

The "combination" skin is a mix of dry/normal skin and oily skin. People with a combination skin might have an oily T-zone (Forehead, nose and chin) and dry/normal cheeks.

Characteristics:

  • Enlarged pores on the T-Zone
  • Shiny skin
  • Some blemishes (acne)

Recommendations:

  • Moisturize the skin and use pores cleaning products on the relevant zones.

 

Bonus:

Hypersensitive Skin:

The "hypersensitivity" of the skin means the barrier that retains moisture and protects from external factors is not working properly. The skin becomes easily irritated.

Recommendations:

  • Avoid products with triggering components such as alcohol, perfume, allergens.
  • Stick to skincare products with a minimal amount of ingredients.
  • Always do a "patch test" by applying a small amount of product on the forearm to check for any reaction.

 

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