Whilst there are skin care products out there that will be suitable for all, many of the products we choose should address our individual skin needs.
Dry skin may need intense moisturisation, whereas oily skin types might benefit from targeted sebum-controlling products.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare, which is why identifying and understanding the different skin types is essential for caring for our complexions in a way that is truly effective for our unique needs.
Determining Your Skin Type
All complexions are different, but we can categorise skin based on one of 4 skin types. Here are the signs and symptoms to look for:
Normal Skin
If you have normal skin, you’ll probably notice that your complexion strikes a balance between dry and oily. This means you’ll likely experience:
● A relatively stable complexion, with any changes associated with weather and new skincare products.
● Little to no sensitivity.
Oily Skin
Oily skin types display a noticeable greasy sheen from the excess production of sebum. Other characteristics include:
● Enlarged pores.
● Frequent breakouts.
● Make-up which ‘slides’ around, or off, the skin.
Dry Skin
A persistent lack of moisture is often a sign of dryness, however, all skin types can become dehydrated when external factors cause water-loss. To identify dry skin look for the following:
● Flaky texture.
● Itching and irritation.
● Lines that are more noticeable due to dryness.
Other factors can also cause dry skin (including those linked to health). Therefore, it’s important to seek professional advice in regards to any concerns.
Combination Skin
If your complexion displays signs of dry and oily skin simultaneously - such as an oily t-zone and dry cheeks - then you probably have combination skin. Your skin is also likely to experience:
Skincare Tips For All Skin Types
All skin types display different characteristics and what might suit one complexion may not suit another.
However, there are a couple of universal skincare principles...
1. All skin types will benefit from an effective cleansing method.
Aside from our cleanser choice, how we cleanse can also impact our skin’s health. If we use a technique that’s too gentle, then dirt and bacteria won’t be fully removed; if we scrub too harshly, we run the risk of causing damage and irritating the skin.
Consistent cleansing is key.
As discussed in our previous effective skin cleansing blog post, human error is inevitable - that’s where tools can help.
Sonic cleansing brushes, like SoMeCare, help to provide a consistent, irritation-free cleanse. Its antibacterial, hypoallergenic silicone coating makes it suitable for all skin types. Plus, SoMeCare’s sonic vibrations help skincare products to penetrate deeper.
2. SPF is a year-round essential
Even in winter, our skin is at risk from UV-induced damage, which can disrupt cells and age complexions. A daily application of SPF should be an essential last step in any morning skincare regime.
If you need further convincing, our recent blog post outlined a total of 7 reasons why daily UV-protection is necessary.
Choosing a Routine For Your Skin Type
Where oily skin might benefit from blemish-targeting products, these can often be too harsh for dry skin types.
That’s why when it comes to creating a skincare regime, considering your individual skin needs is the key to ensuring your complexion is correctly nourished.
Skincare Routine for Normal Skin
With already balanced oils and no major skin concerns to contend with, the focus for normal skin is on prevention. Regimes for this skin type should aim to protect against damage and the visible signs of ageing.
If your skin type is normal, follow this routine using products formulated with skin-supporting ingredients:
1. Wash your face using SoMeCare and asap’s Gentle Cleansing Gel With Antioxidants. This daily cleanser is formulated with skin-balancing ingredients alongside antioxidants and calming aloe vera.
2. Use a well-rounded serum, like Ultraceuticals’ Ultra A Skin Perfecting Serum Mild which contains retinol to target the visible signs of ageing.
3. Protect & moisturise in the AM by using asap’s Moisturising Daily Defence. With an SPF rating of 50, this broad-spectrum sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid to help the skin retain moisture, as well as niacinamide, which has antioxidant effects.
4. Finish your PM routine with HydraFacial’s MD Antiox+ Daily which is formulated with a blend of antioxidants to help prevent damage caused by UV and environmental stressors.
Further tips for caring for normal skin:
● Avoid chemical exfoliators when using retinoids.
When retinoids and chemical exfoliators are combined there is a risk of skin irritation. If you feel the need to exfoliate now and then, opt for a gentle physical exfoliator instead.
We recommend: Yonka Foam Scrub helps to remove dead skin with small beads of bamboo and jojoba.
● Pay attention to changes within the skin
Normal skin can still experience dehydration and blemishes. Notice how your skin changes in response to new climates, routines and products and make adjustments accordingly.
Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
Excess oil production can often lead to clogged pores, which is why oily skin is often associated with acne. Whilst it may seem logical to choose drying products, moisture is essential for the healthy functioning of the skin. Choose oil and blemish targeting products, but be sure to include hydrating ingredients to promote balance.
If your skin type is oily, follow our routine which uses products that address excess sebum whilst providing essential hydration:
1. Clean your skin with SoMeCare and Ultraceuticals’ Ultra Clear Foaming Cleanser which contains sebum-regulating niacinamide, as well as salicylic acid - a chemical exfoliant that digs deep into pores and dissolves oil and blockages.
2. Treat skin with asap’s Clear Complexion Gel which features a blend of AHAs and BHAs to unclog pores and remove surface-level dead skin cells. Apply all over or spot-apply to problem areas.
3. Moisturise and shield against UV-damage with Ultraceuticals’ Ultra UV PDM SPF30 Mattifying. This product is formulated with hydrating ingredients and leaves a matte finish - ideal for oily skin types.
4. Finish your evening routine with Yonka’s Creme PG which offers light hydration and is well-suited to those prone to excess oil production.
Further tips for caring for oily skin:
● Avoid pore-clogging ingredients
Keep pores clear by choosing non-comedogenic ingredients. If you wear makeup, pay particular attention to your cosmetics and look for oil-free products.
● Apply regular face masks to help control excess oil
Clay-based masks can help to absorb oils and toxins from the skin and are a popular choice amongst oily skin types.
We recommend: Ultraceuticals Ultra Clear Purifying Mask is formulated with bentonite and kaolin clay, as well as salicylic acid.
Skincare Routine & The Best Skincare Products For Dry Skin:
Dryness is caused by a lack of water in the skin; therefore, it’s recommended to skip harsh products and excessively warm showers to avoid additional hydration loss. Furthermore, the AAD advises against products containing: alcohol, AHA, fragrance and retinol.
If your skin is lacking moisture, follow this daily routine featuring gentle, yet effective, products formulated for dry skin types:
1. Cleanse using SoMeCare and Ultraceuticals’ Ultra Brightening Foaming Cleanser which features hydrating ingredients and niacinamide, coveted for its multitude of benefits (including its ability to improve the skin’s barrier function).
2. Apply a hydrating serum like Ultraceuticals’ Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum. This formula contains sodium hyaluronate, to draw moisture into the skin, and panthenol, which helps to reduce water loss.
3. Moisturise in the AM with Ultraceuticals’ Ultra UV PDM SPF30 Hydrating which includes moisturising shea butter as well as niacinamide and panthenol.
4. At night apply a rich moisturiser, such as Ultraceuticals’ Ultra Rich Moisturiser Cream which contains natural moisturising factors, like urea, and ceramides, both of which are effective humectants (meaning they draw moisture into the skin).
Further tips for caring for dry skin:
● Once a week slough off dead skin cells by gently exfoliating after cleansing.
Grainy exfoliators can often be too harsh for dry skin, making chemical exfoliants a better choice.
We recommend: Yonka Gommage is a gentle leave-on exfoliant, using carob and brown algae for their reported exfoliating properties.
● Apply a hydrating mask a few times a week.
On top of your usual skincare regime, adding in a face mask a few times a week may help to care for dry skin.
We recommend: Yonka Hydra No.1 Masque has proven visible results in as little as 1 hour.
Skincare Routine for Combination Skin
Combination is the most common skin type, but the contrast between oily and dry areas make it challenging to care for. Although some combination skin types may need to address oiliness and dryness separately, others may not. The aim is to find what works for you.
If your skin type is combination, follow this easy routine using products designed to tackle oils and dry patches simultaneously:
1. Remove impurities with SoMeCare & Ultraceuticals’ Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser which is formulated with both moisturising panthenol and salicylic acid, an effective pore-unclogger.
2. Choose a hyaluronic acid-infused serum, like Ultraceuticals’ Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum which helps to draw moisture into the skin. This serum also contains niacinamide to help regulate sebum production, making it a great choice for combination skin types.
3. Complete your morning routine with asap’s Moisturising Daily Defence, a non-comedogenic SPF50 moisturiser formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
4. Apply a balancing moisturiser before bed, such as Yonka’s Creme 93 which contains antioxidants and skin-smoothing vitamin A in a quick-absorbing lotion.
Further tips for caring for combination skin:
● Spot-treat breakouts
If you experience pimples in your oily zones, treat these directly.
We recommend: Ultraceuticals Ultra Clear Spot Treatment contains AHAs, BHAs and clay, and ingredient which can help to draw toxins from the skin.
● Experiment with further skincare personalisation
Due to the nature of combination skin, you might find that using different products on different areas of the skin produces better results. Try richly hydrating products on drier zones and sebum-controlling ingredients on oil-prone areas.
How To Further Tailor Your Skin Care
Aside from the 4 main skin types, many of us experience other skin conditions which may require more specific care. These include:
● Mature Skin
Over time the skin’s barrier becomes less effective, meaning our skin more readily loses moisture. Aside from targeting the visible signs of ageing, skincare products for mature skin should focus on hydration.
However, mature skin can still produce excess sebum in oily skin types. In this instance, choose products that are formulated for older skin whilst also containing oil-controlling ingredients.
We recommend: Products formulated with anti-ageing ingredients.
● Sensitive Skin
When skin is easily irritated it’s likely to be sensitive. All skin types can be sensitive, so choosing gentle, yet effective, products is the key to addressing skin concerns without inflicting damage.
Sensitive skin types should avoid products formulated with fragrance, ethanol and propylene glycol, opting for gentle and easy to remove formulas.
We recommend: Products formulated for sensitive skin.
● Specific Skin Conditions
If you experience hyperpigmentation, rosacea or any other visible or inflammatory skin condition, you should ideally seek advice from a dermatologist who can recommend a routine and products suitable for your skin.
Effective skincare doesn’t have to be complicated.
Great skincare is less about the number of products we choose and more about the quality of their ingredients. That’s why understanding your skin type and selecting a few well-formulated products (as well as using an effective cleansing technique) can have a positive impact on the health of your skin.