Understanding your Skin Type

There are skin types and skin concerns - it can be easy to confuse. In your skincare journey the first thing to do is understand your skin type, when you know your skin type, you can start to identify your skins needs.

The PH levels of our skin determines whether it is sensitive, dry, normal, combination or oily. The PH levels of our skin come from our genetics - over or under production of sebum. A skin type is not good or bad, it's what you are born with. This post is a focus on facial skin - the rest of your body may have a different type and the reason why this happens, see previous post.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin sits in the grey area of skin types. This is because in can be genetic but it can also happen due the environment/lifestyle. If genetic, your skin is likely to be dry. The protective skin barrier that sits over your epidermis layer, is thin which means you will react to certain products. Take note of products that do and don't work, record ingredients so you can learn what works best for you.

If it is environment/lifestyle it can be due to overuse of products, which is why you need to be mindful on what you put on your skin, environment in terms of where you work/live so your skin may need more protection or environment in terms of medication. In this instance you may be able to change lifestyle/environment to help your skin sensitivity.

Sensitive skin feels tight, tingly, burny to certain irritants. Please always inform your therapist if you have sensitive/reactive skin.

Dry Skin

Dry skin means your ph levels are lower and your skin barrier is thinner. Pore size is typically smaller. Dry skin feels tight, rough, flaky, dull and can be scaly.

Normal skin

Normal skin means your ph levels are balanced and skin barrier is fabulous. As you can imagine, not many people fit into this category.

Combination skin

Combination skin means there are areas of dry, oily and normal skin on your face. You can lean one way more than another or you can be a balance of both. It is typical to have an oily T zone and dry cheeks. The T zone is the nose and upper forehead. Pore sizes can vary.

Oily Skin

Oily skin means PH levels are higher, an overproduction of sebum often from larger pore sizes. Oily skin can look shiny, waxy, thicker or greasy.

Pore sizes can change in size as we age, so don't always think large pores = oily skin or that you have blackheads because your pores are now visible. Look at your skin as a whole picture to understand what it is.

If this feels overwhelming, please don't threat, you can book in for a facial that has an in-depth skin consultation so we can explore and understand your skin needs.

Skin Type Diagrams