Do’s and Don’ts as per your skin type

DO’S AND DON’TS AS PER YOUR SKIN TYPE

There are broadly five different types of skin types: normal, oily, dry, combination and sensitive skin. It is important you zero in and know the type of facial skin you have. This will allow you to pick products with ingredients that suit your skin type and avoid those that don’t.  Here’s a breakdown:

Normal Skin
Simply put, normal skin is the middle ground between oily and dry skin. This means your skin is well-balanced when it comes to both pH levels and sebum production. There are little or no blemishes, your skin is smooth, you aren’t prone to breakouts or sensitivity and you don’t have large, open pores.

Being blessed with normal skin doesn’t mean you should be lax about your skincare routine. You have to take adequate care to ensure none of the problems associated with other skin types surface.

Do’s and Don’ts: Always remove your makeup before you sleep; cleanse, tone and moisturise without fail. Never miss applying sunscreen. Use a gentle moisturising lotion, preferably one with ingredients like argan, jojoba and avocado oil that help in restoring and soothing your skin. Avoid using harsh products like those with drying alcohol or strong fragrances that can cause an imbalance in your skin. Say no-no to products with sulfates, which can end up drying your skin.  Always try and use a serum with antioxidants to help prevent cell damage. When you exfoliate, always use a gentle scrub.  

Oily Skin
When your skin is oily, it means it is secreting more oil; there is excess sebum production. It also means your skin is more prone to breakouts and can have open or large pores. Your pores can get clogged quicker, making acne a common problem in people with oily skin.

While the basic steps of cleanse, tone and moisturise hold true for any skincare routine, it is important, in the case of oily skin, to use products that are light, which hydrate the skin rather than clogging up your pores.   

Do’s and Don’ts: Keeping your skin clean is important but choose a face wash that suits your skin type. Go for a gel-based face wash with ingredients like tea tree oil and salicylic acid rather than a cream-based one. Use oils with a higher linoleic content like evening primrose oil rather than coconut, which can clog pores. Avoid using toners with a high alcohol content as this can end up stripping your skin of its moisture; instead opt for natural toners such as those with aloe vera and rose water. As always, opt for a delicate natural scrub. Don’t forget to moisturise using aloe vera or glycerine-based products.  When applying makeup, use powder-based rather than cream-based products as these will be lighter on your skin.  

Dry Skin
The opposite of oily skin, dry skin is one which has too little moisture. It can feel rough, appear flaky, and is prone to irritation, redness and a feeling of tightness. Dry skin usually presents more visible lines on the face.

Dos and Don’ts: Don’t over wash your skin as this may further strip your skin of moisture. And definitely do not use very hot water. Instead, use a gentle cream-based face wash with ingredients like papaya, Vitamin E and honey. Always opt for scent-free products as fragrances could irritate your skin. Moisturise your skin at least twice a day with a cream-based moisturiser containing plant butters and oils.   

Combination Skin
This is possibly the most common skin type wherein some parts of the face are oily, for example the T zone, while other areas can be dry or normal. You could have a combination of large pores, blackheads, shiny skin as well as rough, flaky skin in parts. It is important to use products appropriate for that part of the skin.

Dos and Don’ts: With combination skin, it is important to follow a regular skincare routine but vary it: for example, in winter the drier areas may need more attention while in summer, you may need to use lighter products. Ideally opt for non-comedogenic, organic oil-based products, such as those containing jojoba, sesame and grapeseed. Peppermint and lavender products work well for cleansing. Aloe vera, cucumber and glycerine -based products help in moisturising.  

Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is often dry, reddens quickly and is prone to itching and burning. Sensitive skin can react based on several triggers – such as sun exposure, eating spicy food, even stress – , so it is important to identify them.

Do’s and Don’ts: Much like dry skin, if you have sensitive skin avoid the use of products that are alcohol or fragrance-based, have sulfates as well as chemical sunscreens and harsh exfoliants. The important thing to remember with sensitive skin is never to overdo adding products on your face. Products that contain natural antioxidants are great, as are those that gently moisturise and hydrate.

*Always check with your dermatologist before introducing new products in your routine. Always do a skin patch test to check for allergies.