Skin Types? Skincare Routines?♡

I thought I'd write a post on skin types and skincare routines.

Just a little help out there for people just starting out in a skincare routine, or even to help those maybe not sure on the whole routine.

 

Now we should all have a skincare routine, from an early age, whether it is just washing our faces, to a full blown 45 minute routine! It helps nourish and replenish our skin, removes dead skin cells, and even helps slow down aging!

 

First of all though, you need to determine your skin type.
 

Which one best describes your skin below?

 

NORMAL: Your skin feels smooth and firm when you touch it, and your pores are usually very small to medium in size. You don't get patches of skin which are too dry or too oily, and only get spots occasionally.

 

DRY: Your skin feels quite tight, feels flaky, rough and can be quite bumpy in certain areas. Spots are usually rare with someone with dry skin.

 

OILY: Your skin starts out looking good in the morning (after washing), but after only a few hours (maybe even less) is shiny, at the same time, your skin feels wet to touch. The pores on your face are usually large and more noticeable, which in turn means you get spots more often.

 

COMBINATION: When you have combination skin, you tend to have a mixture of the above skin types, usually you will have an oily T-zone, dry cheeks, and everywhere else your skin is normal.

 

SENSITIVE: Sensitive skin means you burn more easily, you have bad reactions to a lot of cosmetics, your skin suffers when the weather changes, and when you get spots they are hard to treat, because your too sensitive to most spot treatments.

 

Now once you determine your skin type, you can then go about starting a skincare routine that is best for you.

Your best friends skin routine may be good for her, but no good for yourself, so always look into products for your skin type, not anybody else's.

 

The general rule is: Cleanse, tone and moisturize. Exfoliate in replace of your cleanser once a week, and use a face mask once a week or less.

Cleansing 

If you have oily skin, foaming cleansers seem to work best, as they can be drying, which helps to keep oil at bay longer, although this works, you don't want to use anything too harsh, as using it every day can end up causing more problems.

For all other skin types, non foaming seems to be best, find a hydrating one for dry skin types, and a sensitive one which doesn't have perfumes, acids and dyes for sensitive skin.

Toning

Toning your skin after cleansing restores your skins PH levels, that were removed during cleansing, but it is especially important to find the right toner for you, as toning with the wrong product can seriously dry your skin out.

If you suffer from oily skin, your more tempted to go for toners with harsher chemicals in, that will dry up oil, but you should stay away from toners with alcohol, witch hazel and menthols in, as they aren't particularly good for any skin type, even if they claim to be. Choose a toner which is a has repairing properties, can help reduce pores, and also communicate with your skin to help teach your pores to handle oil better, and your oily skin will thank you for it!

Dry and sensitive skin needs a toner which is well formulated, has no harsh chemicals in, that can ease flaking, smooth skin out, and help ease redness.

Now combination skin can be tricky! As toners can help one part of your skin, but trouble another part, for example, you could dry out your oily T-zone, but in return make your dry cheeks oily. Find a toner that is alcohol free, with ingredients that help normalise skin. You will also notice enlarged pores become smaller too with the right toner.

Moisturising 

Moisturizers help hydrate skin, and create a barrier between your skin and the harsh elements of the world.
Again, using the wrong one can enhance your skin concerns.

If your skin is dry, then you need a heavy duty moisturizer, that will hydrate and sooth dry skin. Oil based moisturizers work best, and sometimes applying 2 layers works wonders.

Normal skin doesn't need anything particularly magical, as your skin is already fine, so use a simple moisturizer which is water based.

Oily and combination skin works best with oil free and water based moisturizers, look out for ones that say oil free, and acne-prone. Do not apply lots of moisturizer with oily skin, a thin layer will suffice.

Sensitive skin needs special moisturizer, I'd suggest using one with no harsh ingredients, or one that is organic, you know that way it is full of natural good stuff, and will be kind to skin.

 

Now these 3 steps (cleanse, tone and moisturize), should be done twice a day, morning and night, and will protect you for the day ahead, and clean and replenish the day away while you sleep.

 

Now as mentioned near the start I mentioned exfoliating. This helps removed dead skin cells and encourage skin to renew. This should be done once a week, in replace of your cleanser.

If your skin is oily or combination, use an exfoliator scrub, these usually have some form of grain in which when rubbed against the skin help unclog pores and remove any oil or dirt from your skin.

Dry skin works better with chemical exfoliators, now this sounds harsh, but if you use one with natural chemicals from fruit then it will be least harsh and will help tighten skin and remove dry patches.

Sensitive skin works best with enzyme exfoliators, these have no harsh bits in, and require no scrubbing, much gentler on your skin.

 

I also mentioned face masks, these help draw out any impurities and should be done once a week or less.

Face masks seem to work better for dry skin, you can use peel off, cream, and warm oil masks for dry skin.

Oily skin works better with a clay mask, as it absorbs excess oil in the process.

Sensitive skin works better with natural face masks, no harsh nastiness and all things good.

and if you have normal skin, then congratulations, you can use nearly all face masks!

 

If you are using a skincare routine, and you do not notice your skin getting better, then try something new until it does, it's a case of trial and error until you find something that works, then once you do find it, stick to it.

If you use a product that causes any form of irritation, then stop using it immediately and find a new product once your skin has settled down.

 

A few other skin tips.

 

DO NOT EVER pick spots, squeeze them, or force them out, this will hurt a lot more, look a hell of a lot worse, and can end up leaving you with a nasty scar! I know temptation will be high, but please don't do it, your skin wont forgive you.

 

Resist touching your face, again this can be hard, but this is what spreads germs and bacteria, and is a major cause for spots. If you must touch your face make sure you wash your hands, or use a hand gel beforehand.

 

I hope I helped you with this post on all things skincare, and I hope you find an amazing skin routine that works for you.

Your skin will look and feel better, and you will also notice make up applies easier too.

 

What's your skin type? (Mines oily - boo)

and

Do you have a skin routine in place?

 

LoveTaraBabii♡