PAMPER YOUR SKIN: KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE #ad #davinciclinic

 START by Knowing Your Skin Type

Knowing your skin type is the first crucial step toward establishing an effective skin care routine and good skin. If you misdiagnose your skin type and use the wrong products, it can aggravate skin and lead to irritation, excess oil, breakouts or drying out skin which can make wrinkles more apparent.

Skin type is the description of how and why your skin looks, feels and behaves as it does. The five most common skin types used in the cosmetic/skin care industry area:

1. Normal Skin:This skin has a smooth texture and a rosy, clear surface, with fine pores. There are no visible blemishes, greasy patches or flaky areas. Sebum production, moisture content, keratinisation and desquamation are well-balanced. No severe sensitivity and few imperfection. Normal skin is often found in young persons.
   
2. Oily Skin: Skin of this type is characterized by an increased amount of lipids on the skin surface due to overactive sebaceous glands. It is shiny and thick, often with enlarged pores. Oily skin is prone to blackheads and other blemishes. It occurs more often in men than in women, and it predominantly affects adolescents and younger persons.
   
3. Combination Skin:Combination skin is rather dry in some parts of the body and oily in other localizations. Mixed facial skin tends toward dryness on the cheeks and around the eyes while being oily in the t-zone (nose, forehead, chin). The dry parts and the oily parts require different skin care regimens.
   
4. Dry Skin: Characterized by a lack of moisture in its corneous layer, dry skin results in tightness and even flaking. The skin appears dull, especially on the cheeks and around the eyes. It may lack elasticity, with accentuated fine lines and wrinkles. In more severe cases, itching and burning may occur. Extremely dry skin shows signs of cracking and fissuring.
   
5. Sensitive Skin: It can show up as: redness, itching, burning, and dryness. If your skin is sensitive, try to find out what your triggers are so you can avoid them. There are many possible reasons, but often it's in response to particular skin care products.
   

Not sure what your skin type is... Try the Tissue Technique. Wash your face, wait 15 minutes then apply 4 pieces of tissue to your face. Based on how the tissue reacts to your skin, is how you recognize which skin type you have.

TIPS: Simple Skin Type Test

What Influences Skin Type? 

There are many factors – both internal and external elements can impact the way skin looks and feels. Some factors we cannot influence, but many we can. To effectively evaluate your skin and determine the correct skin care routine, here are some essential factors that need to be considered.

Internal Influences: 

• Genetic predisposition - The biggest one is your genes, which decide how dry/oily or sensitive your skin will be. And, you might inherit your skin type or issues from your parents.
• Hormonal changes - Menopause, pregnancy and menstrual cycles triggers the skin to fluctuate from oily to breakouts, skin discoloration and dryness.
• Skin disorders - Rosacea, dermatitis, psoriasis.
• Medications - Your Rx can cause your skin to become more sensitive or drier as a side effect.
• Diet/Allergies - A balanced diet can keep skin healthy. Talk to your doctor if your food allergy is the source of your skin woes.

External Influences: 

• Climate/Weather: The extreme whether temperatures(cold, warm, moist, dry)and the speed of change between them have a significant impact on skin condition.
• Sun exposure: Major cause of hyperpigmentation. 
• Pollution: Creates free radical activity that damages collagen.
• Lifestyle: Healthy lifestyle(manage stress, exercise, sleep, stop smoking, avoid alcohol and etc) can help to delay the natural ageing process and prevent skin problems.
• Skin care routine: Aggressive and harsh skincare products, an inappropriate routine and exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace can stress skin.

Beauty Tips: 

Skin type is not always the same. The variations can change season to season, month to month or even weekly. Normal, oily, dry, combination and sensitive are good basics to start out with, but they can fluctuate and change with everything from the weather to stress levels. Know your skin type is important as different skin types require different formulations. Although many skin types may need the same active ingredients (sunscreen agents, antioxidants, cell-communicating, etc..), the base and delivery agents (lotion, cream, gel, serum or liquid) should correlate with your skin needs. Alternatively, you can visit your dermatologist or doctor to evaluate your skin types and expert advice.

Knowing your skin type is essential because the products will only yield if you are using the ones that are best formulated for your skin's unique needs.

Careful skin care routine can protect skin and keep it looking younger for longer.

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