So, what’s your type? No, we’re not asking about your romantic life… we’re asking about your skin type.
Everyone has a skin type, and many don’t realize the importance of determining skin type before committing to a skin care routine. Even if you’re using a skin care line that’s made for all skin types, how you use those products may vary depending on your skin type.
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Knowing your skin type is key in determining which products to use and how often.
Good to Know: Your skin type can change over the years; in general, our skin becomes more dry as we get older.
Recommended Products: Deluxe Set.
Normal Skin Types
What is normal skin?
First of all, if you have normal skin, congratulations! You’re one of the lucky ones who can pretty much use most skincare products without a lot of adjustment in terms of how frequently you use them or how much you use.
Normal skin is like a good student. It rarely acts up, doesn’t need a lot of special attention, and can go with the flow. Normal skin rarely flakes or needs oil control, isn’t plagued by clogged pores, and doesn’t go completely haywire because of fluctuations in hormones, stress, pregnancy, or even product. Normal skin usually doesn’t experience abnormal textures or severe changes.
How do I know if I have normal skin? What are the signs of normal skin?
Normal skin is generally well-balanced. Not too dry, not too oily, and rarely has any issues. It might feel a little more dry during the winter months, and may get a little shinier when it’s hot and humid out. If this is you, you likely have normal skin.
What products should I use if I have normal skin?
Normal skin is just as prone to fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven skin tone as anyone else. Also, just because you have normal skin now, doesn’t mean you might not experience dryness or sensitivity as you age. That’s why the best route for you is maintenance, and that means sticking to a twice daily routine using products that are good for any skin type.
To keep your skin calm and balanced, find a gentle twice-a-day cleanser to rid your skin of impurities.
Also, make sure you’re moisturizing regularly as even normal skins have to keep skin hydrated in order to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay.
What ingredients should normal skin types look for?
Since you’re all about maintenance, just look for ingredients that keep your skin “as-is”:
- Organic Sunflower Oil is full of antioxidants that protect skin from environmental stressors; it hydrates and helps unclog pores.
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Organic Aloe Leaf Juice keeps the skin calm and soothed.
Squalane is great for normal skin types because it mimics our own natural oil & keeps it balanced.
Dry Skin Types
What is dry skin?
Dry skin is skin that doesn’t produce a lot of natural oil. Dry skin can also occur from too much sun or other environmental factors, resulting in a flaky and often cracked look. Those with dry skin are very prone to fine lines and wrinkles and can sunburn easily.
How do I know if I have dry skin? What are the signs of dry skin?
If you look at dry skin on the surface, you might see some flaking, redness, and probably fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also probably a little dull and uneven. Unfortunately, dry skin can also be pretty uncomfortable—almost like having skin that’s too tight for your face. In extreme cases, it can even crack and bleed.
What products should I use if I have dry skin?
If you have dry skin, your priority is going to be restoring oil to your skin by moisturizing. Oil-rich serums and moisturizers will help restore balance to your skin while smoothing the dry texture. Look for products that will help seal in moisture.
Dry is also often dehydrated as well, meaning it’s lacking water. Restoring hydration to your skin is just as important. Look for hydrating serums and moisturizers, like our H2 Oh Yeah hydrating moisturizer, that do both.
What ingredients should dry skin types look for?
- Shea butter is vitamin rich and offers relief to dry skin. You’ll find it in H2 Oh Yeah and Youth Fairy moisturizers.
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E) contains antioxidants that will help protect your skin; it is also known to help soothe and moisturize your skin.
- Hyaluronic Acid holds 1000 times its weight in water, deeply hydrating the skin.
Oily Skin Types
What is oily skin?
Oily skin is skin that produces an excess of sebum, which is an oil produced by the body naturally. The good news is that oily skin is usually less prone to fine lines and wrinkles. However, the excess oil produced by oily skin can often clog pores, cause irritation, and unwanted shine.
How do I know if I have oily skin? What are the signs of oily skin?
Oily skin often shines due to the excess amount of oil on the surface of your skin. Although that shine is usually on the t-zone—the nose and forehead—it can be found all over the face. Those with oily skin often have more visible pores.
What products should I use if I have oily skin?
It’s important to keep their skin as clean and balanced as possible. Exfoliating helps to remove excess oil and impurities from clogging pores.
A detox mask like Prince Charcoal works to draw out impurities and balance oils. Another helpful tip is to carry around some blotting papers to absorb the extra shine that can appear throughout the day.
While rich in oil, oily skin can still lack the proper amount of water needed in the skin, becoming dehydrated. A serum like Just Dew It is great for those with oily skin, as it restores hydration while balancing your skin and promoting a healthy glow.
What ingredients should oily skin types look for?
- Bentonite clay acts like a magnet for oils and impurities that can clog pores.
- Squalane is great for oil skin types because it mimics our own natural oil & keeps it balanced, all while offering needed moisture.
- Salicylic acid helps smooth and exfoliate oily skin.
Combination Skin Types
What is combination skin?
Combination skin is just that– a combination of different skin types. Usually, it means an oily t-zone and dry or normal skin everywhere else. For example, you might have a super oily forehead and nose that are prone to congested pores, shininess, and even redness, but at the same time have cheeks that are so dry they flake and have a dull appearance.
How do I know if I have combination skin? What are the signs of combination skin?
Is your skin more than just dry, or just oily? That is combination skin. Pores on the nose are sometimes visible or even clogged while other parts of the skin literally flake from dryness. Similarly, you may have areas on the skin that are more prone to breakouts, while other parts seem capable of withstanding anything.
What products should I use if I have combination skin?
Combination skin is all about balance—making sure the oily areas of the skin are balanced, while making sure the dry parts are well-moisturized.
A toner that controls excess oil and hydrates the dry parts is a quick way to make sure you’re tending to all parts of your skin.
A hydrating serum containing squalane will help balance your skin, as well.
What ingredients should combination skin types look for?
- Organic Rosehip Seed Oil helps skin glow and will even out skin tone as it moisturizes.
- Squalane is great for oil combination types because it mimics our own natural oil & keeps it balanced, all while offering needed moisture.
- Rosemary Leaf Extract is an antioxidant that will help keep your skin smooth and calm.
Sensitive Skin Types
What is sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin doesn’t take much to become irritated, whether from external or internal factors. Anything from weather changes to hormone fluctuations will affect sensitive skin.
How do I know if I have sensitive skin? What are the signs of sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin can be remarkably inconsistent—even if it’s fine one day, it can be irritated and red the next. It can have uneven texture, tone, and feel horrible. It can get clogged pores easily and vacillate between having excess oil and excessive dryness. In short, it’s a real pain and needs special attention.
The name of the game for you is finding gentle products that will enhance skin tone--giving it that glow without further irritating it. A soothing serum that will brighten your skin while restoring its vibrancy is the way to go.
What ingredients should sensitive skin types look for?
- Jojoba Seed Oil softens and conditions skin and protects it from environmental stressors.
- Organic Green Tea Leaf Extract – keeps the skin calm and soothed.
- Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that acts as a gentle exfoliant that’s easy on sensitive skin.
Mature Skin Types
What is mature skin?
Mature skin is generally skin that’s beginning to show some signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles or sun damage. It’s all but impossible to say exactly when someone might start experiencing mature skin, especially since so many factors play into mature skin: genetics, hormonal changes, diet, and lifestyle.
Although there’s only so much damage anyone can avoid, a lot of time spent in the sun, excessive drinking, and a diet full of sugary foods can speed up the rate at which skin matures.
How do I know if I have mature skin? What are the signs of mature skin?
One of the biggest signs of mature skin is a loss of firmness. When we’re young, our skin tends to bounce back easily; but little by little, that firmness decreases as time goes on.
Signs of sun damage are usually very visible in mature skin. The sins of our youth (a.k.a., sunbathing or sunburns) become quite evident when we are older.
Although everyone is different, mature skin also has a tendency to be on the drier side. As we age, our ability to produce natural oils declines, making even formerly oily skin drier and prone to fine lines and wrinkles. That loss of natural oils combined with sun damage, lifestyle, and other factors, can also lead to mature skin looking a little dull.
What products should I use if I have mature skin?
Keeping skin well hydrated and protected from the sun is crucial to keep your skin looking as young as possible. The skin around the eyes is usually one of the first places you will see fine lines, as it is much thinner than the rest of the skin on our face. For that reason eye cream is just a must.
Also, look for products that will work to increase your collagen production and cell turnover with the use of retinol. A retinol serum and moisturizer is a sure-fire way to help reduce the appearance of unwanted signs of aging.
What ingredients should mature skin types look for?
- Retinol is one of the most highly studied anti-aging ingredients out there. It works to increase collagen production and cell turnover, resulting in brighter, smoother, younger-looking skin,
- Sea Buckthorn Oil contains the highest concentration of vitamin E on the market. It uses the power of antioxidants to hydrate and plump your skin.
- Organic Reishi Mushroom Extract not only diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, but it protects skin from environmental stressors
Knowing what skin type you have is half the battle of maintaining vibrant, healthy skin. We hope this comprehensive guide has answered your question on what skin type you have, as well as offered some practical tips on how to best protect your skin.
