How to Determine Your Skin Type
Every skin is unique and has different needs. The composition of men’s skin is very different as compared to women’s skin. So, using your sisters, mothers or girlfriend’s skincare products might not do complete justice to your skin. If you have oily skin, using a face wash for dry skin might just end up harming your skin. The first step to building a skincare routine is to determine your skin. This guide will help you understand different skin types and how you can determine your skin type.
Understanding and determining skin types
While every skin is unique, it can be broadly categorized into five types, namely:
- Dry
- Oily
- Normal
- Combination
- Sensitive
There are is a very simple method that will help you to determine your skin type. Use a face wash for men and cleanse your face thoroughly. Don’t apply any products after this and wait for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes if your skin feels very stiff, flaky and stretchy, you have dry skin. If your skin has accumulated some shine around your nose and forehead, it means your skin type is oily. If your cheeks feel tight, however, if you have an oily t-zone, that means you belong to the combination skin family. Once you have determined your skin type with this simple method, you can choose your skincare products accordingly. Let’s learn more about these skin types and set a routine in place accordingly.
1. Dry Skin
If your skin is dry, you are prone to flaky and itchy skin. The dryness in your skin is caused by low sebum production. The lack of sebum production leads to your skin having a lack of lipids that it needs to retain moisture into your skin. These lipids also help you in protecting your skin from external factors. The only solution to rightly caring for dry skin is to moisturize it deeply. Using a moisturizer for men regularly will help reduce the itchiness on dry skin and keep it hydrated. It will also result in your feeling less tight and make it feel more supple.
2. Oily Skin
Oily skin is caused by excessive sebum production. The excessive sebum production makes oily skin more susceptible to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and enlarged pores. Oily skin collects a lot of dirt that gets trapped into your pores. This dirt then leads to breakouts if not treated correctly. You can use a facewash for men that is formulated with clay. Clay helps reduce the secretion of oils and also deeply cleanses your pores. After cleansing your face thoroughly, you can use a lightweight gel-based moisturizer. This will help in reducing the production of oil and giving your skin the hydration, it needs.
3. Normal Skin
Men with normal skin have smaller pores and have the right amount of sebum secretion. This leads to the right amount of moisture retention in your skin making it well balanced. Normal skin type is very easy to care for. Simply cleanse your face with a good cleanser and moisturize it. During the day, don’t forget to apply some SPF to your skin. Normal skin is usually clear, however, if you suffer from the occasional pimple or two you can use a spot treatment pimple cream for men to shrink it.
4. Combination Skin
Combination skin is when your t-zone is oily, but your cheeks are dry and flaky. It can get slightly tricky to care for this skin type, but it helps you maintain your skin. To help care for combination skin, cleanse your face twice a day. After that use a toner on your t-zone, this will help you balance out the production of oil. Top it off with a men’s face cream to hydrate the drier parts of your face. to You can use a charcoal sheet mask a couple of times a week. A facemask will hydrate your skin while ensuring that the pores around your t-zone feel tightened.
5. Sensitive Skin
If you have skin problems like rosacea, flushed skin, rashes, itchiness or just skin reactions to products, you belong to the sensitive skin family. Sensitive skin requires extra love and care, as it is prone to more problems. Having a simple routine of cleansing, moisturizing, and toning your face regularly will help maintain your skin. If you are dealing with breakouts you can use a pimple cream for men and combat it.