Know Your Skin

 

Skin type is determined by genetics, but our skin properties can be affected by different internal and external factors. Healthy skin is divided into 4 categories:

 

1. Normal Skin

2. Dry Skin

3. Oily Skin

4. Combination Skin

 

Normal Skin

Normal skin is a phrase which is widely used to describe a balanced skin. T zone (forehead, chin and nose) can be a little bit oily but the skin sebum and moisture is completely balanced and the skin is not too oily and not too dry.

Normal Skin Characteristics:

• Balanced pores (not clearly visible)

• Suitable blood circulation (skin is succulent and clear, without redness or paleness)

• Even skin tone with a velvety, smooth and soft texture

• Without burning sensation

• Without sensitivity Besides these characteristics, a person with normal healthy skin can experience skin dryness during aging.

 

Dry Skin

Dry skin is a type of skin with less sebum when compared to normal skin. Due to lower production of sebum, skin doesn’t have the essential lipids to maintain it’s moisture against external factors and this will cause a dysfunction in natural role of skin. Dry skin can have various forms with different severities that can’t be obviously diagnosed all the time.

Dry Skin Characteristics:

• Wrinkled and rough

 

Oily Skin

Oily is a phrase to describe a type of skin with a large amount of sebum production, which is called seborrheic. Several factors cause over secretion of sebum: genetics, hormonal changes and imbalance in hormones’ production, different drugs, stress and comedogenic cosmetics. Oily skin has more tendency to acne outbreak.

Oily Skin Characteristics:

• With open pores which are clearly visible

• Shiny appearance

• Thicker, blood vessels may be invisible

• Oily skin is prone to comedones (white & black heads) and acne

• Suffering from mild acne (most comedones appear on face and some of them on neck, shoulders, back and chest)

• In moderate and severe cases, papules and pustules appear and skin become red and inflamed

• Acne often appears on T zone, especially during puberty

 

Combination Skin

Combination skin is the one that T zone is different from the other parts of skin.

Combination Skin Characteristics:

• Oily T zone (forehead, chin and nose)

• Dry cheeks

• Open pores on T zone sometimes with infections In combination skin some parts have more sebum and the dryer parts can’t keep moisture due to sebum and structural lipids deficiency in epidermis.

 

This document is only prepared to get information about skin types, if you need help to diagnose your skin type, skin test can be a good tool. For more details contact a dermatologist, pharmacist or our experts.