Skincare101: Identifying Your Skin Type

Photo courtesy of clearessence.com

Even before you determine what and which products to use for your face, I believe that it is ESSENTIAL to determine FIRST what skin type you have. So, tell me--can you identify your skin type?

Follow the jump and find out what your skin type is and know what kind of products to use for your skincare and makeup!

Which of these features do you think is the closest match to your skin?

I have chosen 4 of the most common skin types nowadays. Check whats yours!


1) Normal Skin Type

• Does not feel dry or oily.
• Visible pores but not large enough.
• Your face still feels fresh and clean in the middle of the day.
• You break out in spots occasionally.
• After washing your face, it feels very smooth and comfortable.

2) Oily Skin Type

• Skin feels very greasy and often break out in spots.
• Very large, visible pores
• Skin looks shiny by midday.
• Texture of skin feels very thick and coarse.

3) Dry Skin Type

• Skin feels very dry to touch.
• Pores are very fine.
• Hardly ever break out in spots.
• Skin has a thin and very papery texture.
• After washing, your skin feels so tight as though it is too small for the face.

4) Combination Skin Type

• Skin is normal with a few dry and oily patches.
• Often breakout in spots in the T-Zone
• By midday, T-Zone is shiny.
• Dryness is usually on the cheek area.
• Oiliness is usually on the T-Zone area.

Caring For Your Skin According to Skin Type:

• Normal Skin Type

I highly recommend washing your face with a foaming facial wash, such as this Olay's Foam Facial Wash (Available in most supermarkets and pharmacies in Dubai, around 25-30AED), combined with a massaging motion--it will for sure give your skin a rosy complexion. Follow through with a toner (I like Olay Essentials Refreshing Toner) and finish off with a moisturizer applied in light upward strokes to give your skin the moisture it needs throughout the day. I have tried Philosophy's Hope in a Jar and it did work right for me, maybe you can try it too! :D

• Dry Skin Type

If you have a dry skin type, I could recommend using a creamy cleanser to melt completely dirt on your face. I love Neutrogena's Deep Clean Cream Cleanser (Available in most supermarkets and pharmacies, around 40AED), as it leaves your skin feeling refreshed. Leave it on your skin a few minutes, before sweeping off with cotton. Use a thick cream moisturizer to seal in as much moisture to your face as possible. Kiehl's Rosa Arctica (Available in Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall for about 265AED), does its job just right! The trick is to warm it up it in between your fingers before applying it on your skin.  

• Oily/Combination Skin Type

For individuals with oily skin, start off with a foaming facial wash, my best recommendation is Clinique's Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser (Available in most pharmacies and beauty sections in malls, around 45AED), to remove dirt and oil without stripping the moisture off your skin. It's fragrance-free, and leaves your skin moist, fresh and clean.You can put some astringent lotion or, my bet is a toning lotion--I recommend Clarins Lotion Tonique (Available in Clarins, Dubai Mall for about 75AED), as it's specially formulated for oily skin type. Allow the toning lotion to sink in and then absorb the excess with a tissue to prevent shine.

Now, have you discerned what skin type is yours?

If you have, let me know! 'Coz next blog post, I'll be featuring a couple of makeup products, for specific skin types. I want to know which skin type I should focus on, so please help me by leaving a comment below!

So, before hitting the snooze button, don't forget to wash your face and moisturize. Remember, live young!

Bonne Nuit <3

XOXO,

The Smoky Blue Palette