Skin care is the range of practices that support skin integrity, enhance its appearance and relieve skin conditions. They may include nutrition, avoidance of excessive sun exposure and appropriate use of emollients.

DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES

There are five common skin types: normal, oily, dry, combination and sensitive. Blotting a clean tissue on your face in the morning is an easy way to find out your skin type. 

A normal skin type has good circulation and there will not be any trace of sebum (oil) on the tissue. Normal skin is soft, with a smooth, even skin tone.

An oily skin type will leave blots of facial oil on the tissue, particularly from the cheeks, nose and forehead. This type of skin has overactive sebaceous glands, producing more oil than necessary. Oily skin can be caused by hereditary factors, diet, hormone levels, pregnancy, unsuitable cosmetics and stress, leading to acne flare ups and enlarged pores. It is vital to thoroughly clean the skin regularly with gentle, soap-free cleansers.

A dry skin type has a low level of sebum and does not maintain oil easily. Dry skin is often flaky and feels tight after being wiped. Gentle cleansing and a rich protective moisturiser for dry skin is essential to control that tight, uncomfortable feeling. It may be necessary to adjust your dry skin moisturiser for the changing seasons.

A combination skin type, oil is produced around the 'T-zone' of the  nose and forehead but not on the cheeks, mouth and eye areas. The best skin care for combination skin will involve treating each region differently.

Having a sensitive skin type can mean different things to different people. It can be caused by skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema or allergies. Sensitive skin can become inflamed and irritated easily. It is important to choose the right skin care products for sensitive skin because many cleansers and moisturisers contain ingredients that can cause an adverse reactions to this skin type.

Basically our skins all fall in either of d sections above.

SKIN ANALYSIS

Any qualified dermatologist will tell you how important it is to ensure that any skin care products are chosen with your skin type in mind. If the product isn't right for your skin type it won't be as effective and could cause skin defection/reactions. This is why whether purchasing a moisturiser, cleanser or anything else for your skin, it's essential you know your skin type.

The type of skin you have depends on the amount of water and oil in your skin. If these are out of balance your skin will suffer. So for example, if your skin has too much oil you may be more prone to acne outbreaks, and your skin will appear shiny. Skin care products designed for oily skin will be oil-free, and may have ingredients designed to help rebalance the level of oil in your skin.

Another problem that many people suffer from is dry skin, which is caused by a lack of water in the skin. As well as feeling itchy and tight. Dry skin looks visibly flaky and can even cause fine lines. Products designed with dry skin in mind will usually be water-based to add much needed moisture to the skin.

It's also possible to have combination skin. This means that some areas of the face will be oily while others will be dry. People with this skin type may want to use products designed specifically for combination skin, or use different products on the different areas of their face. 

Finally, there is normal skin; people with this skin type have the right balance of oil and water.

Some people can tell their skin type simply from looking in the mirror. Others might be able to feel whether they have oily, dry or normal skin or be happy taking an online test. If, however, you don't feel confident about what type of skin you have, it's best to speak to a dermatologist to ensure u only use the products best suited for your skin