Do you wonder what skin type you have and what beauty routine is best to nurture your complexion? Understanding your skin type can help you take good care of your skin health and provide ideas on how to take preventative measures against breakouts and flare ups.
Whilst your skin type is predominately determined by genetics, it is also influenced by many other factors such as the environment, diet & lifestyle, antibiotics and hormones.
In general, there are five types: normal, oily, dry, combination or sensitive. The skin type you have today may not be the one you have tomorrow, so it is beneficial to understand how to manage each one.
Skin Types
Normal skin
People with even skin tone, no major blemishes, no excessive dryness or oiliness, or other skin conditions, are often described as having normal skin. It doesn’t mean they have a picture-perfect complexion, but they tend to suffer far less issues than people with other skin types and have well-hydrated skin all year round.
Whilst normal skin may be the easiest skin type to manage, if it isn’t cared for, it can soon turn into problem skin, so it is important to keep it in good health.
Oily skin
For those with a genetic predisposition to over-active oil glands, they may produce more sebum than needed. This over supply of oil flows from inside the epidermis to the skins surface and can get blocked in hair follicles. This blockage can cause congestion the breakouts.
The main symptom of this skin type is having a greasy/shiny complexion and in many cases suffering from ongoing acne, black head and white head breakouts.
People with oily skin are best to choose products that are all natural and oil-free. Thick, heavy cosmetics should be avoided and ensure your skin is gently cleansed to remove dirt and grime. It is also important to find a light-weight moisturizer.
For people suffering acne, the Acne Trio from AMPERNA® can help.
Dry skin
The problem is caused by a lack of sebum. Sebum oil keeps our skin soft and hydrated and without enough of it the skin starts to suffer from dryness. The symptoms of dry skin are flakiness, tightness and being prone to fine lines and scaly patches.
If you suffer from dry skin, you can apply multiple layers such as mists followed by moisturisers. You can also consider using a barrier cream to help repair the skins barrier by sealing in moisture. They usually contain a combination of occlusive and humectant ingredients that are insoluble in water and increase our skins ability to hold onto moisture.
Combination skin
As the name suggests, this skin type features two or more variations. A common example is having dry skin in one area of the face and oily skin in areas where the oil glands are most active. This can lead to the appearance of a shiny forehead, nose and chin (often referred to as the T-zone), whilst other areas can suffer from dryness and flaking.
People with this skin type are best to avoid products that dry out the skin as this may trigger irritation and outbreaks. Incorporating exfoliation into your skincare routine can help to remove dead skin cells and help to unclog pores in the oilier areas.
Sensitive Skin
The cause of sensitive skin is the protective outer layer of your skin (the epidermal lipid barrier) is unable or less effective at blocking allergens and irritants. People with this condition are prone to inflammatory skin conditions including:
- Dermatitis. This is a common condition and can occur in a number of forms including eczema and contact dermatitis. Symptoms are itchy dry skin, rash or swollen, reddened skin. The sufferer may experience skin that blisters, oozes, crusts or flakes off.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis) causes redness, itching, and sometimes infections. The skin does not retain moisture very well, making it prone to allergens and irritants. When the skin gets irritated, it can trigger a release of chemicals that make it itchy.
- Perioral dermatitis is an inflammatory rash occurring around the mouth, nose, chin and eyes. It is common in women and can be a result of using topical steroid medication.
There are a huge number of allergens and irritants that cause sensitive skin to flare up. They can be found in everyday items such as laundry detergents, shampoos, soaps, clothing fabrics, metals, certain foods, medication and certain plants, so it is hard to completely avoid them. However, it can be helpful to understand your triggers and try to avoid them where you can.
If you suffer from perioral dermatitis, it is useful to pare back your beauty routine, avoid make-up & steroids and move to a cleansing routine of water and the AMPERNA® Soothing Duo.
How AMPERNA® can help
Holistic Skin Coaching Service
Kiri Yanchenko, founder of AMPERNA® can help you determine what skin type you have, what products to use and how to best look after your skin health. Her Holistic Skin Coaching Service launched in 2019 and allows people to discuss their skin type and lifestyle in detail and develop a tailored plan to work towards healthy glowing skin. You can contact Kiri or sign up for skin coaching.
AMPERNA® Products
The AMPERNA® product range is full of anti-inflammatory anti-bacterial ingredients and contain a vital probiotic complex. They have been designed to be gentle enough for all skin types.
The Soothing Duo is fundamental:
- Lightweight Soothing+ Emulsion is cationic so it will absorb deeply into your skin rather than leaving an oily or shiny film.
- Probiotic+ DS Soothing Serum is deeply restorative and helps soothe irritated skin and calm redness. The copper and zinc gluconates help to limit the spread of harmful bacteria and replenish the skin barrier.
And as required you can add to this duo with:
- Ultra Gentle Soothing Cleanser is a light gel cleanser that helps remove makeup while balancing the skin. It contains an infusion of sage and cucumber extracts to help cool, soothe and nourish skin.
- 10% Pro+ Resurfacing Lotion is the first chemical exfoliant to market that has been specially formulated for use by first time users and even the most sensitive skins.
- Pro+ Vitamin C Hyaluronic Serum contains high levels of hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to help restore smoothness & suppleness to your skin.
Go to https://amperna.com/ for more information.
Sources:
https://www.today.com/style/5-different-skin-types-which-type-skin-do-you-have-t152786
https://www.bioclarity.com/blogs/clear-skin/what-is-my-skin-type
