Dry Skin

Caring for the skin is important for everyone. It is the largest organ of your body and it needs to be taken care of.

There are many different skin types and it is important to know what skin type you have in order to take care of it properly. There are also many different products that can help with skincare, but it is important to find out what works best for you.

The importance of skincare cannot be overstated, as the health and appearance of your skin can greatly affect how you feel about yourself.

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How to figure out your skin type
(the ultimate skin type test)

This is the ultimate test to figure out once and for all, what your skin type is.

In order for you to do this test properly, you need to cleanse, rinse, and wipe your face dry using a soft paper towel and leave for 30 minutes to an hour without applying a moisturizer.

Cut a tissue into 4 pieces and blot each piece onto the following areas:

• Forehead
• Nose
• Cheeks
• Chin

After blotting your skin, look for your skin type in the following options:

1. If the tissue has an oily residue after blotting all four areas, then you have oily skin.
   
2. If the tissue has an oily residue after blotting forehead, nose, and chin, then you have combination skin.
   
3. If there is no oily residue on the tissue after blotting, then you have dry skin.
   
4. If your skin feels tight, itchy, and uncomfortable, then you have sensitive skin.

Now that you have figured out what your skin type is, let us move on to the next section where I give tips and dive into each skin type in more detail.

1. Tips for acne-prone skin types

Acne-prone skin is a skin type that is more prone to breakouts and acne. It can be caused by a wide array of factors, such as genetics, hormones, diet and stress.

It can also be triggered by external factors such as the environment or the products you use on your face.

Dealing with this skin type might be a tough task for some people. It often leaves you feeling insecure, frustrated and self-conscious.

But it doesn’t have to be like that all the time, with the right knowledge and care, your acne prone skin can be treated and managed well enough to live a normal life.

Here are some tips to deal with acne-prone skin:

• Wash twice a day
  
• Always apply a moisturizer after washing
  
• Exfoliate 1-2 times a week, read more about exfoliation here Chemical Exfoliants – How to Get Smooth Skin
  
• Apply sunscreen
  
• Use a gel-based cleanser
  
• Double cleanse
  
• Dry your face with a paper towel instead of a regular towel
  
• Use alcohol-free toner to help balance the oils in your skin
  
• Try to not touch your face if your hands are not washed

5 best ingredients for acne-prone skin

• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s)
• Salicylic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Tea tree oil
• Vitamin C

I have another article about essential oils and which ones are suitable for each skin type, you can read more about it here.

6-step skincare routine for acne-prone skin

1. Cleanse gently
2. Use a toner as astringent
3. Apply acne treatment
4. Moisturize using an oil-free moisturizer 
5. Exfoliate 1-2 times a week
6. Apply a clay face mask 1-2 times a week
   

2. Tips for sensitive skin types

People with sensitive skin are prone to irritations and allergies. They have a higher risk of getting skin infections, so they need to be more careful about what they put on their skin. Avoid products that contain harsh chemicals or fragrances.

You can use fragrance-free products that are made for sensitive skin types to prevent any irritation from occurring on your skin. You can also use a moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated and plump, which will help reduce redness or irritation from occurring on your face.

The following list contains some tips for sensitive skin types that will hopefully help you:

• Avoid products with fragrances. Fragrances can be irritating to sensitive skins, so avoid any products that contain them.
  
• Always consult a dermatologist before trying new products or treatments. If your skin is sensitive, you may react differently than someone with normal skin would.
  
• Use gentle cleansers and moisturizers. Don't use harsh chemicals, because they could irritate your skin even more and cause redness or other irritation in the areas where they were applied.
  
• Avoid taking long hot shower. Hot water for long periods of time can strip away the natural oils of the skin.
  
• Always apply SPF as the sun’s UV rays may be too harsh for sensitive skin types. Shiseido - Anessa UV Sunscreen SPF 50+
  

5-step skincare routine for sensitive skin

1. Cleanse using a gentle lotion or cream cleanser
2. Prep skin using an alcohol-free toner
3. Apply a serum that is specific for sensitive skin, avoid any harmful and triggering ingredients
4. Use an eye cream
5. Moisturize using a non-comedogenic and fragrance-free water or gel based moisturizer
   

3. Tips for dry skin types

The best way to deal with dry skin types is to keep the skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water and applying a moisturizer on a regular basis so that the outer layer of the epidermis can retain enough water.

There are many different types of moisturizers available, but it’s important to find one that suits your skin type.

Some tips for dry skin types:

• Use a gentle cleanser and a hydrating moisturizer such as LANEIGE - Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Essence Toner For Normal To Dry Skin
• Avoid using soaps with fragrances or harsh ingredient’s
• Try to avoid products that contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin
• Always apply sunscreen
• Use a humidifier to keep your home environment moist and avoid dryness
  

4. Tips for oily skin types

Oily skin is the type of skin that has excessive sebum secretion. It is a major concern for many people, and it can lead to acne or other skin concerns.

We all know how frustrating it is to deal with oily skin. It's difficult to find a product that suits your skin type and doesn't make you break out. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Here are some tips for oily skin types:

• Use an oil-free moisturizer
• Avoid products that contain alcohol and fragrance
• Use a clay mask every week or two
• Cleanse twice daily with a gentle cleanser
• Apply the double cleansing method

5. Tips for combination skin types

If you have combination skin, you know how difficult it can be to find skincare products that work for your skin type.

Here are some tips on what combination skin types need in a skincare routine:

• Moisturize: Combination skin types are prone to dry patches and oily areas. You need to moisturize the dry areas and use oil-free products on the oily areas.
  

• Exfoliate: Skin cells build up on the surface of your skin and cause breakouts when they clog pores. To prevent this from happening, exfoliate twice a week by using a gentle scrub or mask that is appropriate for your skin type.
   
• Clarify: Combination skin types often have large pores which can cause acne. To prevent this from happening, use a clay mask or a chemical exfoliant once or twice a week to clean out your pores.
  
  
• Nourish: Combination skin types need healthy hydration and moisture to keep the skin soft and supple. Use an oil-free moisturizer with hydrating ingredients.
  

The basic rules of the correct order of a skincare routine

A good skincare routine is important for your skin. It is also important to know the correct order of a skincare routine, in order for you to gain the most benefit.

Gone are the days of you asking “which goes first, moisturizers or serums?”, “what do I apply first, eye cream or toner?”, or “when do I apply a toner?”.

If you apply these rules then you will have the best and most beneficial skincare routine specific for your skin type.

Always start with a clean slate.

Remove makeup and cleanse your face properly but gently.

Layer skincare products properly.

The most important thing in a skincare routine is absorption.

Apply products from thinnest to thickest.

Here is a basic skincare routine that applies to all types of skin:

1. Cleanser
2. Toner
3. Eye cream
4. Serums and treatments
5. Moisturizer
6. Sunscreen

A Simple Guide to Skincare Routines

To sum up

Three very important points in any skincare regimen are, one: your skin type, two: ingredients in the products, and three: order of layering skincare products. If you master these three golden points, then you can achieve the perfect personalized skincare routine for your skin type.

Have you taken the skin type test? Let me know in the comments section below what type you have!

I hope you enjoyed this article and more importantly, found it useful.