Identifying one's skin type allows us to provide the most appropriate care. There are four main skin types:
- A rather shiny aspect will indicate a skin with a tendency to be oily.
- A thin skin appearance that feels tight after showering will indicate dry skin.
- A smooth and uniform appearance will indicate normal skin.
- A dry appearance on the cheeks, but rather oily on the forehead, nose and chin will indicate combination skin.
A simple test makes it possible to be more precise about the nature of your skin in order to distinguish its type:
- Make a facial cleansing
- Take a 30 minute break
- Apply strips of tissue paper: one on the temple towards the cheek, the other on the median zone, that is to say who will start from the nose, towards the chin, covering the nose.
- Leave the strips in place for a few minutes, pressing lightly to hold them in place.
- If there are traces on both strips, the skin is most certainly oily.
- If few traces are present, the skin is most certainly normal.
- If no traces are present, the skin is most likely dry.
- If traces are present only on the band of the median zone, the skin is most certainly mixed.
This test is indicative and gives an idea of your skin type. Only the dermatologist can carry out a skin diagnosis.
What is an oily skin?
Oily skin is due to an excess of sebum, which gives it visually the shiny, glossy appearance. The skin appears thick, the grain is irregular, the pores are dilated.
Oily skin is often subject to the development of blackheads, pimples, acne, or microcysts.
They are nevertheless less fragile than dry skin thanks to the hydrolipidic film that protects against skin dryness.
They are thus less marked by the signs of aging. Oily skin is most often found in teenagers.
What is dry skin?
Dry skin lacks sebum, unlike oily skin. The hydrolipidic film is too thin and the skin is no longer protected and dehydrates easily.
Dry skin is recognizable by its fine, tightly textured appearance. It is easily irritated and most often presents redness and imperfections.
When it is cold they feel redness and itching.
Older people are the most affected by dry skin, the secretion of sebum decreasing with age.
What is normal skin?
Normal skin has a regular skin texture and a uniform complexion. The activity of the sebaceous gland is normal and well balanced.
What is combination skin?
Combination skin will have both oily areas (forehead, nose, chin) and dry areas (cheeks, temples).