KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE

Achieving perfect skin many seem impossible to most of us, but we are all capable of having and maintaining good skin. This simply requires getting to know our skin and looking after it - and it's never too early too start. Looking after your skin may mean different things to different people. To some it means washing their face with soap and water and slapping on sun block at the beach; to others it is a regular cleanse and moisturize routine. To many it means spending load of cash on all the latest wrinkle-reducing, complexion-clearing, blemish-busting lotions and potions. But good skincare does not have to be expensive, time consuming or daunting. Before bothering to spend a fortune on products that may not suit you, you need to know your skin type.

If you are unsure, go to a professional dermatologist, skincare therapist or beauty advisor at a cosmetics counter for a skin analysis. Your skin is a living organ and can change from season to season - or week to week - depending on your general health, lifestyle, diet and hormonal changes, as well as external factors such as the weather. It is therefore important to have your skin profiled at least twice a year.

You need to know your skin type and identify your key concerns before you put anything on your face.

Skin Types
Skin types are individual as personalities, but there are some generally accepted principles. Scientific definitions of skin types are determined by how the skin responds to sun exposure, its ability to tan and hair colour. A very fair person that always burns in the sun would be categorized as a skin type one, while a black-skinned person who rarely burns an d tans darkly would be a skin type six. When buying skincare products however, it is often more practical to choose according to how dry or oily your skin feels.

NORMAL SKIN
Normal skin has nothing obviously wrong with it. It is in a balanced state of suppleness, elasticity, hydration and colour, and feels soft and smooth to the touch. It rarely breaks out and feels comfortable after cleansing (neither tight or dry). Normal skin can change however, as a poor skincare routine, excessive sun, wind or cold exposure, a poor diet and hormones can take their toll.

DRY SKIN
Dry skin is often characterized by feelings of tightness due to a lack of emollients or oil. It has a fine texture, no visible pores, may be rough and scaly in places and shows lines and wrinkles easily. It rarely suffers breakouts. The problem lies in poor epidermal function and damage to the water/lipid barrier. This is a common complaint with mature skin as hydration ability decreases as we age (due to a slowing down of oil production by the sebaceous glands). As the levels of natural lipids and oil drop, the skin's ability to retain water is also reduced, leaving the skin dry and often dehydrated. In young people, a dry skin is usually a result of low sebum production, or it may be that the skin has temporarily dried out as a result of sunburn, extremes of climate, detergents or air conditioning. Dehydrated skin should not be confused with dry skin, although it can feel tight and flaky. Deeply nourishing or hydrating masks and moisturizers can be used to rebalance the skin and help to prevent against further moisture loss.








This illustration depicts the location of the T-zone - an oily area that is prone to breakouts, and usually develops a shine during the day.

OILY SKIN
Greasy or oily skin is particularly common in teenagers and young adults, but much less so after the age of 35. A result of excess sebum production, it's characterized by a shiny appearance, on the 'T-zone' - the forehead, nose and chin. The epidermis tends to thicken and the pores dilate, giving the skin a slightly rough and irregular texture. A person with this skin type is more likely to suffer from spots and acne.

COMBINATION SKIN
There are two forms of combination skin: oily/normal and dry/normal. In oily/normal combination skin, the centre panel (T-zone) is oily while the rest of the face is comfortable. In the dry/normal combination skin, the centre panel may be normal with dry patches on the cheeks. You need to treat both zones in combination skin-moisturizing the dry patches and controlling the sebum on the oily parts.

SENSITIVE VERSUS SENSITIZED?
In addition to these skin types, many people believe they have sensitive skin. However, true sensitivity is not as common as we think. Truly sensitive skin is easily irritated and cannot tolerate cosmetic products. Many of us suffer bouts of skin sensitivity, set off by anything from climate changes to stress. This is a temporary state, referred to as sensitized skin, and can usually be relieved through soothing treatment. The best way to handle sensitive skin is by treating it as though it is very dry: do not scrub or exfoliate, have facials nor use masks unless you are certain that the products suit you. Steer clear of soap, which can alter the skin's natural pH balance, alpha hydroxy creams, the sun and perfumes. Look for hypoallergenic and allergy tested products or consult a dermatologist.

A sensitive skin is slightly different to an allergic skin. While sensitivity is difficult to cure, with the right products it can be significantly improved. Allergic skin, on the other hand, tends to react more aggressively and the reaction may last for up to 10 days. These skin types may need a dermatological skincare routine. If your skin is behaving badly, it may be a sign that your body is taking strain - in times of stress, your skin gets the short end of the stick. The bottom line: take a look at your lifestyle and see how you can reduce stress in order to gain control of your skin.