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How to Identify your Skin Type

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By Tasha Thomas
User-Submitted Article
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Skin types are the product of family genes, diet, stress levels, medications, or even daily skin care regimens. There are five basic skin types: combination, dry, oily, sensitive and sun-damaged. Skin types can also be identified by the amount of oil secreted daily. Knowing your skin type can be helpful when choosing a facial or body product for enhancement, or to get rid of certain flaws in the skin.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    To identify your skin type, some dermatologists and beauty professionals suggest taking a skin test, which involves washing the face, patting it dry, and then taking a few pieces of rice paper or lens-cleaning tissue to check for different oil spots on the face. Whatever appears on the paper or tissue will determine your skin type (i.e. oily, dry, combination).

  2. Step 2

    Combination skin--also known as "normal skin," have medium pores, smooth texture, healthy facial color, and good complexion and circulation. This skin type tends to feel dry on the cheeks and oily in the T-zone of the nose; it is also common among women. Dry skin types will feel a bit of tightness, especially after cleansing with soap or other facial product. Those with this skin type are prone to fine wrinkles, flakes and red patches.

  3. Step 3

    Oily skin is one of the most common, yet frustrating skin types. It tends to become shiny, have enlarged pores, and is prone to lots of blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads. Tightness may also be felt with oily skin. In an attempt to manage such skin type, many facial products are designed rid the skin of unnecessary oils by making the pores smaller and controlling the oil secretion within the skin.

  4. Step 4

    Sensitive skin types have rather thin delicate skin with fine pores. This skin type is easily flushed and is prone to broken capillaries, which causes it to become allergic or develop rashes. Sun-damaged skin also known as "aging skin," feels tight with very visible wrinkles, leathery texture and broken capillaries. This is very evident around the cheeks and jaw line of the person.

Tips & Warnings
  • Once you are able to identify which skin type you are, you can better filter your choice of skin products and moderate the number of products purchased. Because there are different skin types, reactions to skin products will vary one from another. Therefore, it would be wise and most beneficial to know your skin type before purchasing skin care products.
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