How to Discover Your Skin Type

When it comes to discovering your skin type, the best thing you can do is educate yourself on the different types. It’s also vital to have an understanding of how to identify various skin types since there are so many different opinions on the topic.

“Most people ... are wrong when they guess their skin type,” Dr. Leslie Baumann, dermatologist and author of “The Skin Type Solution,” pointed out. “They are most wrong about whether they are oily or dry and if they have sensitive skin.”

While there is a debate on how many skin types there are, here at Sacred Mama Organics, we believe there are 6 main skin types to examine. The 6 main skin types are dry skin, combination skin, oily/acneic (acne-prone) skin, normal/balanced skin, sensitive skin, and mature skin. While we often do have a primary skin type, our skin can change dramatically due to factors like weather, hormones, stress, diet, etc.

It’s essential to recognize that we might not have the same skin type for the entirety of our lives. You might have had dry skin as a teen, but as you grew and your hormones changed you might develop more oily skin.

The Six Main Skin Types

Dry skin

Everyone’s skin secretes natural oils in order to self-moisturize, but different people have different amounts of oil. When your skin is failing to produce enough oil it will become dry and rough to the touch.

Signs of dry skin:

• Underworked sebaceous glands
• Flaky/dull skin
• Deeper wrinkles
• “Tight” feeling
• Might be itchy

Oily/Acneic skin

Oily skin has the opposite problem that dry skin has where the skin secretes too much oil. Excess oil can lead to skin that regularly experiences acne breakouts.

Signs of oily/acneic skin:

• Enlarged pores
• Persistent acne
• Overworked sebaceous glands
• Shiny skin
• Constantly feels wet to the touch

Combination skin

Combination skin varies from person to person, but it usually means your skin switches between being oily and being dry in different areas.

“Combination skin tends to be oilier in the forehead and nose where you have more oil glands, and drier on the cheeks,” Dr. Dorris Day pointed out. “Sometimes around the mouth can be both dry and oily and more sensitive in general.”

Signs of combination skin:

• Shiny T-zone (nose and forehead)
• T-zone may have acne
• Dry cheeks

Sensitive skin

Frequent occurrences of irritation can characterize sensitive skin. If you find that you are having trouble with products that sting your skin or experience patches of redness at random times, you could have sensitive skin.

Signs of sensitive skin:

• Red patches
• Dry, tight feeling
• Stinging or itching when applying products

Normal/balanced skin

Normal/balanced skin is considered an ideal skin type. It’s the complexion most people dream of and estheticians try to guarantee. This “normal” skin type can is seen on people who have a healthy balance of naturally produced oils, which leads to minimal breakouts.

Signs of normal/balanced skin:

• Balance of oils in the skin
• Even skin tone
• Little to no acne
• Minimal signs of premature aging

Mature skin

Mature skin does not just apply to age, and instead refers to anyone whose skin seems to be aging quickly. This can be a side effect of having dehydrated skin and may cause people to appear older than their years would suggest.

Signs of mature skin:

• Sagging skin
• Dryness
• Age spots
• Hyper-pigmentation

Still A Little Lost?

Radiant skin starts with feeding every part of your body and mind, as we discussed in our previous post. We are here to help you along this journey of personal discovery! If you have any questions regarding your skin type and how to make beneficial changes, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Always Pure, Always Natural.

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