& common mistakes you may make when determining your skin type
Tis the season for some much needed TLC. But how can you ever show your skin some much needed TLC if you don’t know the kind of TLC it deserves? Being your body’s largest organ, it is important to know the specifics in good skin care for your own personal skin health. “Using cleansers and treatments that are too harsh, even if they are recommended for excessive oiliness, may send the signal to your skin that more oil is actually needed. Conversely, applying moisturizers that are too thick or heavy can result in decreased natural oil production, resulting in even drier skin”. It is always a good thing to take the steps to learn your skins specific needs (Tsai par 1).
Like snowflakes or fingerprints, everyone’s skin is unique. However, there are a few common skin types that you may identify with the most. The three main skin types are commonly referred to as Oily, Normal/Combination and Dry. According to skincare professional Victoria Tsai, owner of Tatcha,
here are two easy ways to determine your skin type at home:
1. The Bare-Faced Method
“Cleanse your face thoroughly with a mild cleanser and gently pat dry. Leave skin bare (and do not apply any additional moisturizers, serums or treatments). After 30 minutes, examine your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead for any shine. After another 30 minutes, evaluate whether your skin feels parched, especially if you smile or make any other facial expressions. If your skin feels tight, your skin is likely to dry. If there is noticeable shine on your nose and forehead, your skin is most likely normal/combination. If there is shine on your cheeks in addition to your forehead and nose, you most likely have oily skin” (par 3).
2. The Blotting Sheet Method
“This method is much faster and often an excellent differentiator between oily and dry skin types. Gently pat a blotting paper on the different areas of your face. Hold the sheet up to the light to determine how much oil is visible. If the sheet picked up little to no oil, you most likely have dry skin. If the blotting sheet reveals oil from the forehead and nose areas, your skin is a normal/combination. Finally, if the blotting paper is saturated with oil, it is extremely likely that you have oily skin” (par 4).
Skincare is not something to just ‘wing’. If you had never tried one of the above methods, you may have mistaken the type of skincare routine you need. Just ask Renee Rouleau, our favorite celebrity esthetician! She explains that many make three common mistakes when trying to determine their skin type.
Mistake #1: Only focusing on one or two of your skin’s needs, instead of looking at the big picture. “People can get hyper-focused on just one or two things going on with their skin, instead of focusing on ALL of their skin’s needs” (Rouleau par 2).
Mistake #2: Not understanding the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin. “ Dry skin means there is little to no oil being produced and the skin can appear rough and flaky. Therefore, oil-based products are needed to replenish the skin’s moisture levels so it can look soft, smooth and supple…. When the skin is dehydrated, it means the skin is lacking water in the skin….For dehydrated skin, you want to use lighter, water-based products with humectants to restore the water content within the skin’s cells” (Rouleau par 3).
Mistake #3: Misunderstanding the true meaning of sensitive skin. According to Rouleau, if your skin gets red, hot and flushed from showers, exercise and even from skincare products, if your skin can get a rash or irritation even when gentle products are used, or if you have been diagnosed with a condition called rosacea, you have sensitive skin. Otherwise, you don’t! (Rouleau par 4).
Because our skin constantly changes over time, it’s important to have your Bellagena estheticians help you continue to pick the products that are right for your specific skin care needs. Stay “balanced and beautiful”!
Credit
Tsai, Victoria. “How to Determine Your Skin Type.” Our Story, 1 June 2017
