For well-maintained skin, there are no miraculous or universal routines. Before using creams, moisturizers or any other type of product, make sure that they suit your skin type and are the treatment you need. If you still don’t know how to identify your skin type, read this article to find out.

What skin types are there?

We can distinguish between five skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive. These classifications end up in different positions along the dryness-oil spectrum (with the exception of sensitive skin) and have different manifestations and require different care. 

Normal skin has what is considered to be an ideal balance between oiliness and hydration. With this type of skin, there are usually no problems with acne or irritation from dermo-cosmetic products. 

When it comes to dry skin, the biggest problem is water retention in the epidermis. In this case, the surface layer of the skin loses water too quickly, causing the skin to become constantly dehydrated. It should be noted that dry skin and dehydrated skin are not the same thing, since the latter is a health condition that must be treated.

In the case of oily skin, there is an excess production of sebum, the oil produced by the sebaceous glands and which helps to protect the skin. The main characteristic of this type of skin is its shiny, greasy appearance. Usually, those with oily skin also suffer from acne, as the excess sebum can clog pores. 

If you have combination skin, you end up experiencing a bit of “both worlds” in the moisture-oil spectrum: you have both dry and oily skin. You can either have both normal and oily skin. If you have combination skin, there are areas of your skin that can’t retain water for long and dry out, and others that produce too much sebum and become oily.

Usually, oily skin is found in the so-called “T-zone” (forehead, nose and chin) and dry skin on the cheeks. Thus, people with combination skin can have skin with little elasticity, rough and scaly on the cheeks and shiny, oily skin on the forehead, nose and chin. 

Sensitive skin falls outside the spectrum covered, because those with this type of skin have a damaged skin barrier and are more susceptible to itching, irritation or burns, especially after coming into contact with cosmetic products. Those with sensitive skin may experience symptoms such as redness, peeling or even spots as a result of a skin reaction. 

Discover your skin type

It’s essential to make the best possible match between your skin type and the products you use. If you’re unsure about your skin type, finding out doesn’t have to be a big deal. Here are two suggestions for tests to make this assessment.

The first suggestion is to observe how your skin behaves after a normal day. If you have minimal oiliness, redness or flaking (or even none of these signs), you have normal skin; if you have skin that is not very elastic or is flaking, then your skin is dry; if it looks shiny and feels greasy, it is oily; if your T-zone is glowing, but the rest of your face is not? Combination skin; is your skin red, inflamed or itchy? Your skin is sensitive. 

The second option is the face wash test. Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser and gently pat dry. Wait an hour without touching your face. After this time, you can wipe the T-zone with mattifying paper. Then examine the paper and your face to see what signs you have:

• Normal skin: No peeling skin or oiliness on paper and no redness or irritation on the face. 

• Dry skin: No oil on the face, but the skin is rough, peeling or tight.

• Oily skin: The tissue feels greasy and the face looks shiny. Pores may also appear enlarged or inflamed.

• Combination skin: The tissue is greasy and the T-zone looks shiny. The other areas of the face are normal or flaky and dry.  

• Sensitive skin: The tissue may or may not be greasy and the skin looks irritated and red. 

Care for your skin type

Your skin type can change depending on age, hormonal changes, the climate, among other factors. In this way, personalized care will be more effective in combating skin problems you may have or improving your dermatological health. The best skincare routine for your skin type should serve as a “counterbalance” to the signs your skin is showing, in order to rebalance your skin’s natural equilibrium. 

In this sense, for those with normal skin, the routine is simpler: wash your face with a gentle cleanser and warm water; use moisturizing cream; and apply sunscreen with factor 30 or higher every morning. People with dry skin need care that involves, for example, washing their face with a moisturizing cleanser and the previous suggestion regarding sunscreen.

For those with oily skin, the ideal is to include a gentle, oil-free cleanser in their skincare routine. It is also recommended to use products that remove excess oil, such as salicylic acid. 

For combination skin, the main concerns are balancing the oily areas and moisturizing the drier areas (if there are any). In addition to following the tips mentioned above, you can use a thick moisturizing cream with ceramides and glycerin on the dry areas and a gentle moisturizing gel on the oily parts.  

For sensitive skin, it is suggested to use a gentle, soap-free and fragrance-free cleanser (even fragrance-free products and detergents are recommended for this type of skin). Dermocosmetics such as a moisturizing, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer with moisturizing hyaluronic acid and skin-repairing ceramides also help to restore the skin’s natural balance. 

Liquid-Land and skin care

Liquid-Land Mediterranean Pine Nut Oil is a 100% natural product with no synthetic chemicals. Our pine seed oil is suitable for all skin types, enhancing its softness and hydration.

Our natural oil provides intense nourishment to the skin, stimulates water retention and greater elasticity. Its antioxidant power has a preventive but also caring effect, as it protects the skin against free radicals and damage caused by the sun and hyperpigmentation. 

Sources: health.com; healthline.com