All complexions are different, which is why it’s so important to tailor your skin care routine to your skin type.
Before you choose the right skin care routine for you, you need to identify your skin type. Hormonal factors, illness and the weather can all affect our skin, so when determining your skin type, think about how your skin is when you are well, the weather is not extreme, and you’re not experiencing any surge in hormones.
Take a look at the characteristics below and find the one that best describes your skin type
Oily
* Prone to frequent breakouts
* Shiny appearance
* Enlarged pores
Dry
* Flaky or red in places
* Very few spots
* Prone to lines and wrinkles
Normal
* Skin generally smooth to touch
* Rarely experience breakouts or dry areas
Combination
* Experience both dry areas and occasional breakouts
* Blackheads usual occur in T-zone: across the forehead, on the nose and in the crease of chin
Sensitive
* Often react to products and environmental factors
* Can be itchy and uncomfortable
* Can be blotchy and red at times
It is true that most individuals will experience changes in their skin at different times of their life. Adolescence, pregnancy and the menopause, for example, can play havoc with our skin, but your skin type will remain throughout your life, with fluctuations staying within the limits of that type. For example, if you have normal skin, it is likely that your skin will become oilier in your teenage years, but not to the extent of someone whose skin type is oily.
Now you know what type of skin you have, how does that affect how you care for it?
It’s still important to cleanse and moisturise with a SPF moisturiser, whatever skin type you have, in order to remove dirt and bacteria from your face and to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. This applies even on cold, cloudy days, as UV rays will still reach the skin and cause signs of premature ageing.
Eternal Skincare’s Aloe Cleanse & Soothe and Aloe Anti-Ageing Day Cream SPF20 contain naturally delicious ingredients, including marshmallow, calendula and chamomile, and are completely fragrance-free, making them suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.
Of course, what else you include in your skin care routine depends on your skin type.
Here are some additional tips to keep your complexion in tip-top condition:
Oily: Use an exfoliator designed for oily skin as this will help deeply cleanse away any bacteria which, if left on the skin, could result in blemishes. To help banish those breakouts when they do erupt, invest in NatraSan Antiseptic Spray, which is completely safe on skin as it contains hypochlorous acid, the body’s natural antiseptic.
Dry: Moisturise regularly with a good quality moisturiser such as Eternal Skin Care’s. Keeping yourself well hydrated will help plump out the skin, so make sure you get your recommended eight glasses of water a day. You may also like to consider using a specialist eye cream if you suffer from dry, flaky under eyes.
Normal: If you have normal skin, you’re lucky that you can keep your skin care routine fairly minimalistic. A thorough cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night should be all you need to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
Combination: For those times when your skin is particularly oily or dry, follow the tips provided for those skin types. At all other times, a normal skin care routine would normally be the best course of action for combination skin.
Sensitive: Always opt for natural, fragrance-free products. It could be that your diet affects your skin sensitivity. Keep a food diary to help identify anything that might trigger flare-ups. Try to avoid wearing too much makeup too often, but for the times you do wish to wear makeup, try out brands which specialise in products for sensitive skin, such as natural and organic brands. The best place to look for these can be your local health food store or online.
