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The 5 skin types you’ll encounter

skin types

How much do you actually think about your skin type when choosing your skincare products and planning out a regimen? Just like you wouldn’t take someone else’s prescription medication, the best thing you can do for your skin is to be aware of its unique needs and cater to them. Following the latest trend or buying a product just because it worked flawlessly for someone else will most likely only end up being counter-productive.

You’re not alone if you felt a pang of guilt when reading the first two lines of this article. Although everyone’s skin is different, each individual can be categorized into five main skin types – normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive — based on factors like genetics, hormones and the environment, but can also change over time depending on these same factors, according to a study by Dr. Sang Woong Youn in the Department of Dermatology at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. It’s easy to recognize the symptoms, so it’s key to make sure you listen to these signs and act accordingly.

Normal

Usually the word ‘normal’ usually connotes all that is pedestrian, however, the world of skin care gives this word a new meaning. Having a normal skin type is actually on the rare side of the skincare spectrum and is usually the envy of those dealing with the struggles that come along with having skin types that fall in other categories.

People with a normal skin type usually have little to no imperfections on the skin, have barely visible pores, and have generally clear and radiant skin because it reflects light evenly, according to . Theoretically, if you were to wipe a tissue across your face, it would be left clean with little to no oil residue, while still leaving your skin comfortable and not too dry or oily.

If you fall under this category, you most likely don’t notice any changes in your skin throughout the day, and don’t have any difficulties when trying out new products. In this case, while there aren’t any specific precautions to take when caring for your skin, it is important to never skip the key parts of skin care: cleansing and moisturizing. Sticking to the simple routine of a cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer will be more than enough in maintaining the necessary nutrients and hydration of the skin.

Oily

Moving onto one of the most common skin types, those with oily skin usually have a combination of the following: enlarged pores, a dull and/or shiny complexion, and blackheads, pimples, and other blemishes.

If you have oily skin, one of the biggest points of stress may be from the constant, hard-to-control shine that is present on your face. Especially around noon, the face tends to get oily, fighting even the matte of matte powders. This buildup of oil usually leads to clogged pores and makes the face more acne-prone, and can vary in extent based on hormonal imbalances, heat and humidity, and even stress. So, don’t stress about your skin! Being able to understand that you have an oily skin type means that you can be that much more informed about the choices you make in caring for it.

Having oily skin doesn’t mean that you need to cleanse more than those that don’t have oily skin but is simply ia matter of finding the right cleanser and moisturizer combination that won’t further clog the pores.

Many of you might know that charcoal is a great natural filter for water. For skin, it does the same by drawing out toxins and making sure that the skin stays clean and radiant. A natural soap like the Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Charcoal Soap acts as a gentle exfoliant and is a great daily cleanser to keep in your skincare artillery. Following up with a toner and a basic serum and moisturizer locks in the hydration without adding a thick layer of oil onto the skin is recommended, according to an article by Commonwealth Dermatology.

Dry/Sensitive

On the other side of the spectrum, you might be suffering from dry skin. This means that your skin is most likely easily irritated, red, and can feel tight and flaky even a few hours after applying moisturizer. If we were to go back to the tissue test, the tissue would most likely return completely clean while the skin gets uncomfortably dry.

Due to the decreased elasticity of the skin, dry skin makes the complexion more susceptible to fine lines, dry, red patches,  for an overall dull look. Overly dry skin can lead to increased sensitivity in the skin, and can easily cause irritation from use of harsh products.

While there isn’t much we can do to change our skin types, the biggest thing we can do is change our routines.

Keeping hydrated is the most important part of a healthy body and healthy skin – a minimum of 2 liters a day keeps the body happy and should add an extra glow to your skin, which you can maintain with a simple skin care routine. Hydrating cleansers like the Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser is a great way to lock in moisture from the first step, while ending with a routine of toner, serum, and moisturizer will be enough to maintain the moisturizing effects until morning. Especially dry areas can be treated with natural essential oils of your choice.

“I have to fight inflammation because my skin is prone to redness, flushing, itching, and burning,” Leslie Baumann, director of the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute at the University of Miami and founder of thr Baumann Skintypes, said in an interview with Womens’  Health Mag. “Sometimes due to environmental factors such as sun and wind, sometimes from products I’ve tried”

Because dry, sensitive skin is much more affected by the elements and even the products that come in contact to the skin, products with soothing elements are the best source of protection and care. Addition care with creams like the Midnight Blue Calming Cream are great for adding hydration while also soothing the face to reduce redness and irritation caused throughout the day.

Combination

Finally comes the last, but not least, skin type. Combination skin can be especially frustrating to work with. However, simply understanding the ups and downs of having both oily and dry skin can help you to create the perfect cocktail of products that are the right match for your skin. If you have combination skin, you most likely have an oily T-zone and dry cheeks, or vice-versa, which requires that you take the extra step to provide the adequate care to each part of the face.

Again, this doesn’t mean that you have to go overboard with the products. A matter of using a gentle cleanser like the Klairs Be Clean Natural Facial Soap, which is great to cleanse, hydrate, and soothe with the help of calamine powder, is a perfect first step to deal with this kind of unbalanced complexion.

Spots that need a bit more love can be cared for with the appropriate oils or cleansers, as detailed above.

In conclusion

While it’s a very human thing to want to go above and beyond the basics and try out every single product on the market in hopes of getting our skin to a perfect state, all we really need is an understanding of our skin, what kinds of products to apply, and when and how much.

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