How to care for your skin type - homecare edition

June 01, 2017

As skin therapists we are only with you an hour out of every few weeks so in order to get the best from your skin in is crucial you are following a good home regime. Putting in the time and effort with your skin will really give you the results that you desire. It is important you get to know your skin and know what is going to work well for it at home. As your therapist we can customise your treatment plan to suit skin concerns but at home you are your own therapist.

If you are unsure of your skin type then go back and define your skin in our recent blog post then read on to find the best ways to care for it.

Combination skin is the most common skin type but can also be one of the most difficult to care for. With combination your skin is marked by a consistently oily T-zone with dryness in other areas of the face. Now the difficult nature is that you have to care for the different concerns. For some it is not as easy as one simple face wash. You need to care for the excess oil and the dryness.

How to care for it: Consider using different products for different areas of the face to keep the skin balanced. For example, you may want to use a mild cleanser and moisturiser on your cheeks and a more stringent product with a clay base on your T-zone to cut through the oil. We suggest customising a mask 1-2 times a week to hydrate the dry areas with a replenishing mask and absorb the oil with a clay mask. Scrub 2-3 times a week but to not do over this amount. The more we scrub the more we strip the essential oils and the skin will produce more to over compensate. You will also notice your skin changing in the weather. Winter the dryness get drier! Make sure you hydrate your body as well as your skin.

Sensitive Skin Type - Many people wrongly assume they have sensitive skin after one or two bad reactions to a product. However, it could be that the product just wasn’t a good mix with your skin or contained irritating ingredients. Truly sensitive skin is easily aggravated by most products and cleansers and usually experiences a low-level of irritation and discomfort at all times. It often breaks out and develops rashes and red spots. You may experience, stinging, swelling, flakiness and itching. Your skin also tends to flush red from the wind, cleansing or sun exposure.

How to care for it: This is the most delicate skin type to care for. Find a skin care routine that works for you by performing patch tests on products before use to determine which products aggravate your skin and which ones keep it calm. Look for mild products without fragrance and harsh ingredients like alcohol and menthol. Avoid harsh scrubs. Use lukewarm water, nothing too hot or too cold. We suggest oil or milk cleansers. Hydrating mask 1- 2 times a week and a cellular recovery serum to help repair the lipid barrier of the skin. Use heavier moisturisers at night as this is the optimal time for your skin to repair.

Normal Skin Type- Normal skin is not too dry or oily; it falls in that desirable in-between place. Your skin normally has an even tone and a soft texture with little flakiness. You may get an oily T-zone (the central area of your face including the chin, nose and the part of your forehead above your eyebrows) in hot weather, but generally this area is oil-free.

How to care for it: Lighter lotions and serums are ideal for your skin type because you don’t need much heavy product to keep your skin in balance.

Oily Skin type - People with oily skin tend to have larger pores and a shiny, thicker feeling complexion. Your skin produces more than enough oil, so hydration isn’t your issue. Rather, blackheads and pimples are a common problem with this skin type. If you still aren’t sure if you have oily skin, blot your face with a tissue and if oil stays behind, then you probably do.

How to care for it: Using a clay based cleanser will help remove excess oil. Or try a more gentle foaming cleanser. Scrub the mace 2-3 times a week and using a menthol or clay mask 1-2 times a week will really help rid the skin from the oil build up. Even looking into regularly changing your pillow case and washing makeup brushes will also help!

Dry Skin Type- Small pores and an overall feeling of tightness means dry skin. Your skin often has more visible lines, less elasticity and a duller complexion. Sometimes people with dry skin will also experience flaking, but this isn’t always the case.

How to care for it: Moisture is key to caring for dry skin. Use lotions and rich creams to nourish your skin cells. If your skin feels dry but you still get breakouts, then you probably don’t truly have 100% dry skin. Rather, your skin may be feeling dry from the products you’re using. Try going without them for a few days and see if your skin improves.

If you have any questions or concerns give us a call or pop in and see one of our skin experts we are always happy to help.

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