There are four basic skin types. How do you know what type you are?  Firstly you will have to cleanse your skin then you will have to get a good clean mirror, a well natural lit room and take a really good look at your face. This is called a skin analysis. If you ever go for a professional facial treatment, ask your therapist to explain to you what to look for and what she sees at the time.

Below you will find descriptions of the four skin types.  Make a note of all that you see and compare below. 

NORMAL:

Skin has an even complexion (colour), clear of blemishes, no surface shine, and soft and supple to the touch, normally has a higher degree of elasticity.  Small/medium pore size.  Moisture content is good.

DRY:

Often looks flaky, fine lines appear around the eyes, mouth and neck prematurely.  No surface shine.  An under active sebaceous glands and smaller pores.  Skin may feel tight after washing.  Normally pale in colour.  Has a tendency to broken capillaries and sensitivity.  Milia is sometimes present.  

OILY (GREASY):

Comodones, pustules; open/larger pores particularly found in the center panel of the face. Shiny appearance due to an overactive sebaceous gland.  Thicker epidermis, sallow complexion.

COMBINATION:

Usually an oily T.zone, dry cheeks, but can also have characteristics of two or more skin types.

Also when you do a skin analysis, you should also take into account skin conditions, which are below.

DEHYDRATED: 

Skin that has lost water from the tissues.  Can affect any skin type, but normally accompanies combination or dry skin types.  These conditions may be related to your health, e.g. medication, crash dieting.  Also environmental conditions: heat, and air conditioning.  Other factors e.g. alcohol and spicy foods.

How to test if you have dehydrated skin, place your finger just above the jaw bone and lift your skin very gently, if it shows fine horizontal lines then your skin is lacking moisture, you can also get someone to look just under your chin and if there are small horizontal lines there this is another indicator.  Don’t forget to press lightly otherwise you will have lines!!

Characteristics:

• Superficial flaking skin
• Broken capillaries
• Cause of lack of moisture, an orange peel effect
• Superficial fine lines can be evident.

SENSITIVE:

The skin may feel tight after washing – become red and blotchy, also broken capillaries may be present along with premature wrinkles.  The epidermis is thinner, may also be accompany dry skin, but not always.

Characteristics:

• Warm to the touch
• Broken capillaries in the cheek area
• High colouring after cleansing may also be sensitive to pressure.
• Superficial flaking of the skin

MATURE:

Hate to tell you ladies/gents that in facials, anyone over the age of 25 is classed as having mature skin.  But don’t despair; you are on the right web page to learn how to look after your skin!  Don’t forget that if you are unsure of anything then go to contacts and e-mail me.

With natural aging the skin changes also related to the production of the hormones and the menopause.

Characteristics:

• Loss of elasticity and moisture from the skin tissue
• The skin becomes thinner
• Appearance of broken capillaries – cheek and nose area
• Facial muscle tone is reduced and the contour becomes slack
• Decrease in metabolic rate, waste products are not removed as quickly
• Irregular pigmentation appears on the skin surface