Photo of Kim Mathee

Getting to know your skin type

Getting to know your skin can sometimes be a challenging task. You might be confused about what type of skin you have. Do not worry as you are not alone.

This can become confusing because for some of us, our skin is constantly changing making it harder to know what type of products we need for our skin care routine.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it constantly changes over time as there are many factors that determine our skin types. It can be challenging at times to know exactly what our skin type is because it could be a combination of things that are affecting our skin.

Examples of things that can affect your skin type: 

  • Genetics
  • Hormones
  • Stress
  • Medication
  • Climate
  • Lifestyle choices 
  • Skin care products

Healthline suggests these ways to try and figure out your skin type: 

The day test

The day test is basically checking how your skin performs throughout the day, from morning till evening. 

  • If your skin feels and looks oily at the end of the day then it means that you have oily skin.
  • If your t-zone is shimmering and the rest of your face is dry then it means that you have combination skin. 
  • If you have minimal oil, minimal flakiness or none at all then it means that you have normal skin.
  • If your skin is flaky or tight then you have dry skin.
  • If your skin is red, inflamed or itching then you have sensitive skin. 

The wash test 

If the day test is not for you then you can try the wash test. This is because on a day to day basis we may experience different things such as sun exposure, wind or sweat that can affect our skin differently. Therefore the day test is not always accurate. 

  • To do the wash test you have to wash your face with a mild cleanser and do no apply any products or makeup after the cleanse. 
  • Wait for at least thirty minutes and check how your face is feeling after that. 
  • Try to do this test when your face is feeling calm, meaning that you have not been exposed to the sun or that your face is not feeling tight after a long walk. 

Get your skin tested 

Consider seeing a dermatologist in order to get your skin analysed. A dermatologist may have certain photographic methods for helping to evaluate your skin’s behaviour further if necessary.

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