Skin type is the most important factor when the matter comes down to skin care, but how to know skin type at home? With so many different skin types that exist, which one is yours? Well, this blog will answer all your doubts and queries in regard to how to know skin type at home!
But before we do understand how to know skin type at home, let us find out why knowing your skin type is an important factor of skin care.
Skin type as an must know factor for effective skin care
As you may already know, maintaining your skin health with care and nurture is just as important as the well being of your bodily health. And how to know skin type at home is just a part of that journey. But why is skin type so important?
Just like everyone has a very specific type of body with specific needs, our skin too has a specific type that has specific requirements. And knowing your skin type enhances your skin care journey by directing you to the exact requirements of your skin that needs to be fulfilled! And what are the many skin types?
Identifying your skin type
The types of skin range across being oily, dry, sensitive, combination and normal. All these skin types have different causes, symptoms and needs. They all have different textures, potential problems and more. With that aside, let us understand the importance of this and why it should be known!
In this blog we will find out the many skin types there are, the types of treatment you can refer to according to your skin type, what changes and additions you can make to better your skin care experience altogether, but most important how to know skin type at home! Without further adieu, let’s get into it.
The Importance of Knowing Your Skin Type
Like we mentioned earlier, skin type is an essential part of skin care but that is not all! It is true that without knowing your skin type you would not be able to invest the right nurture into its care, but aside that, knowing your skin type has quite a few more benefits too!
While you can personalise a skin care routine according to your type you can also make potential changes that may enhance your journey. We are often attracted to newly launched or hyped products in the market but by knowing your skin type you not only use only the effective products but also don’t waste money on random products.
Knowing your skin ensures your skin gets the right treatment. It also helps you understand when your skin needs what. You are more aware of needs and maintain it with care! But how to know skin type at home and understand it better? Come on, we will guide you through it!
Understanding Different Skin Types
Skin types range across many kinds like normal, oily, dry, sensitive, and also combination. It’s time we discuss these types in broad and what to do if you have this type of skin, so let’s get started!
Normal skin
Normal is a type of skin that can be identified as neither oily nor dry. This type of skin is generally free from problems, has good elasticity and is soft and supple to touch. It is not sensitive to most ingredients and is easier to maintain.
Here are some simple steps to maintain normal skin:
- Use a cleanser to keep your skin clean and dirt free.
- Tone your skin with a toner.
- Use a moisturizer according to your needs.
- Always remember to use sunscreen.
These small steps can help you maintain your normal skin and its health.
Oily skin
Oily skin can be identified by characteristics like its constant shiny outlook and over sebum secretion. Oily skin often has breakouts and visibly enlarged pores. It feels oily to touch and has less visible wrinkles many times.
And how to take care of it?
Here are some general steps that you must follow if you have an oily skin type:
- Use a gel based facial cleanser.
- Opt for double cleansing if the oil secretion of your skin is way too much.
- Use a green tea or any calming toner after cleansing to reduce inflammation of skin.
- Use a choice of serum suggested by your dermatologist.
- Moisturizer is just as important even if you have oily skin, hence choose a lightweight, gel based moisturizer to keep the hydration intact.
- Always apply sunscreen!
These are some must steps if you have oily skin. Addition of products can be done according to skin conditions or needs.
Note: Do not over wash your face as that can affect the natural oil that protects the skin barrier.
Dry skin
Dry skin can be identified through its rough and dull look on the outside, and the feeling of skin rightness. It often flakes or peels in case of high levels of dryness. Dry skin can easily crease into fine lines and crack if not cared for.
So here are some steps and inputs you can follow that can help maintain dry skin:
- Opt for a cream or oil based cleanser to push in deep hydration.
- Use a serum according to your skin concern as suggested by your dermatologist.
- Choose a deep hydration moisturizer that also repairs skin barriers to avoid flaky or tight skin.
- Be sure to lock all that in with a good sunscreen!
These steps are sure to give you plump, deeply moisturised skin in no time!
Note: Avoid double cleansing if you have dry skin and always remember to apply a good layer of moisturizer!
Combination skin
Combination skin can be recognised as the mixed texture of both oily and dry skin type. In this kind of skin, some areas are oily with excessive grease while some are dry and flaky. While the oily skin area shows problems like blackheads, acne, etc, dry skin area appears rough and flaky.
And if you have combination skin, here are some must follow skin care steps:
- Use a gel based cleanser that is not harsh or rigid on the dry area.
- Make sure to use a toner after every wash.
- Exfoliate 2x a week.
- Use a hydrating facial moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and other hydrating ingredients.
- Be sure to apply sunscreen.
Note: if you suffer from a combination skin type with rigid skin problems line flaky skin or harsh acne, be sure to visit a dermatologist.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is often identified through its irrational skin factors like redness, swollen blotches, itchiness, stinging or burning sensation, or skin that often breakout into rashes or hives. This type of skin needs special attention and very careful care as not everything suits this type of skin.
Here are some steps in general you must follow to avoid severe skin problems on your sensitive skin:
- Always keep your face clean from dirt with a cleanser AM and PM.
- Use a toner that calms any inflammation that takes place.
- Use a moisturizer to avoid drying your skin barrier.
- Lock everything in with sunscreen regularly.
Note: Use products as advised by your dermatologist to avoid mishaps in your skin care journey that can cause skin troubles.
Now that we know about the different skin types that there is, here is how to know skin type at home!
How To Know Skin Type At Home
Being of complex understanding, here are some how to know skin type at home tricks that are easy and without hassle!
Bare Face Method
In this method, all you need to do is wash your face and keep it bare without any moisturizer or serum. After half an hour, check its reaction. If it becomes greasy around your forehead or nose area, you most likely have oily skin while if your face feels tight especially around the simple region, you have dry skin.
Blotting Sheet Method
In this method, use a blotting paper or sheet and dab it across the initial parts of your face. Now hold the sheet in light. If the sheet is soaked in oil from all parts of your face, you have oily skin while if it contains little to no oil, then you probably have dry skin.
Watch and Wait Method
In this method, all you need to do is wash your face clean and wait for 30 minutes to find out how your skin behaves. If it releases excess oil then you have oily skin, whereas if it dries up into a flaky situation then you have dry skin.
Now that you know how to know skin type at home, let’s move onto factors you need to keep in mind that also affect your skin!
Additional Factors Affecting Your Skin Type
Here are some factors you need to look out for in your skin care journey to maintain healthy skin:
- Avoid junk, sugary and processed food and drinks.
- Avoid alcohol consumption or smoking.
- Maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
- Avoid straining your eyes too much with electronic devices.
- Wear sunscreen daily.
- Customize your skin routine as per needs and seasonal changes.
When to Seek Professional Help
Remember that these how to know skin type at home steps have limitations and cannot show accurate signs of skin problems or needs. Hence it is very important to visit a dermatologist on a regular basis to stay updated about your skin and understand it better. In case of severe cases of skin inflammation, irritation, acne, break outs, etc, be sure to be more aware and take the recommendations of a specialist.
Conclusion
Skin is an important factor when it comes to healthcare, and in this blog where we discussed how to know skin type at home effectively, we also found out the many symptoms, causes, additions and deductions and other requirements that make a skin care journey whole!