Beauty, Skincare
So the time has come for you to update your skincare routine or to purchase a new moisturiser. Before hitting the search button online or venturing into the dizzying atmosphere of your nearest department store, we would like to arm you with some extra info that will make your decision making a little easier.
The first question you may well be asked by a consultant is ‘what’s your skin type?’ Any good consultant should really ask you what are your skin concerns and also about your current skincare routine, without this knowledge she cannot judge what is influencing your skin. Most consumers will either reference the skin type they have always had or often describe their skin as sensitive.
Before selecting any kind of skincare routine it is not only important to identify your skin type but moreover your skin concerns and how these differ.
So, let’s start with skin types and how you can identify yours. Cleanse your skin to remove all previous skincare and make up, now take a look in the mirror at your skin. Below is a guide to some of the things you may see.
Normal – cheeks feel normal, nose may show a slight shine, occasional breakout
Dry – tight feeling on the cheek area, invisible pores, flaking skin, dry or rough to the touch, make up will often become patchy
Oily – larger pores, excess shine, uneven texture, prone to frequent breakouts, oil breaks through make up quickly, foundation will often turn orange
Combination – oily in T zone area, drier on cheeks
Many internal and external factors can influence our skin type, these include:
Some of the above can clearly be influenced but often it’s our very own choice of skincare that causes the problems.
Skin concerns can be treated alongside your skin type often with products that may address both or by layering complimentary products that address each concern separately. Some common skin concerns are:
Skin concerns can accompany any of the above skin types.
Dehydration is very common in 21st century skin. It is caused by everyday lifestyle and diet. Dehydration is often confused with dryness but remember dehydration is lack of water in the skin and dryness is lack of oil.
We will focus in more detail on different skincare routines and products in future articles however once you have identified your skin type and concerns here are a few guidelines
Normal – if you are lucky enough to have normal skin with no major concerns your routine should be about maintenance and prevention
Dry – a drier skin needs emollients in the forms of wax and oil based products Layering of serums and moisturisers often helps bring comfort to this skin
Oily – at any cost do not strip this skin type by using harsh skincare products as this will only cause the skin to produce more oil so exacerbating the problem
Combination – this skin type needs a gentle approach to help balance out the problems
Dehydration – here you need to use hydrating water based products again layering of serum and moisturiser will help sandwich in hydration
Pigmentation – first point to prevent pigmentation getting worse is to use an SPF daily on the face area (365 days a year). The pigmentation can then be treated gently with a mild brightening product.
Sensitivity – sensitivity is often triggered by our skincare choices. Ensure your products are alcohol free and do not contain excessive perfume.
Ageing – again daily use of an SPF will help protect skin from the ageing effects of UV rays. Also look for skin plumping ingredients such as hyaluronic acid which helps the skin stay hydrated and plump so appearing younger
Rosacea – this is a medical condition that should be treated by your doctor however there are certain things you can also do. Avoid harsh products with excessive perfume also it’s recommended to avoid extremes of temperature and also spicy foods.
Acne – acne is now happening at a later age. Again be gentle on the skin and do not strip the skin to try and dry out the spots. Often a focus on a more natural or simple routine will help.
