What is Your Skin Type?

A good test for determining your skin type is the washing and waiting test: wash your face with a gentle cleanser then gently pat it dry. If after 30 minutes your skin appears shiny throughout, you likely have oily skin. If it feels tight and is flaky or scaly, you likely have dry skin. If the shine is only in your T-Zone, you probably have combination skin. If your skin feels hydrated and comfortable, but not oily, you likely have normal skin.

Normal skin is less likely to suffer from skin conditions and appears clear, radiant, and healthy. Although free of common skin conditions, individuals with normal skin should still maintain a skin care regimen that includes routine cleansing, moisturizing, and preventative skin care treatments.

The following is additional information regarding skin types that can be helped with appropriate treatment, skin care products and a maintenance plan designed for your skin care needs.

Characteristics of Dry Skin Types and How We Treat Dry Skin:

• Skin feels tight and brittle, lacks elasticity
• Skin texture feels rough
• Complexion looks dull and blotchy
• Scaling, flaking, and itchiness may occur
• Prone to redness, irritation and infection
• Barely visible pores
• Chapping and prone to cracking
• Enhances fine lines and wrinkles

Those of you with dry skin may opt for oil, balm, or cream cleansers and can benefit from thicker moisturizers for your skin. Exfoliating can still be done a couple times a week. However, a chemical exfoliant will provide less abrasion and physical force than a scrub or other physical exfoliants. Another product that shouldn’t be dismissed for any skin type, but is especially beneficial for dry red skin, is sunscreen.

Characteristics of Combination Skin Types and How We Treat Combination Skin:

• Oily skin centered around the chin, nose, and forehead
• Especially prone to acne on the chin, nose, and forehead
• Mouth, eyes, and cheeks may have dry or normal skin
• Enlarged pores around chin, nose and forehead

As individuals with combination skin seek to keep their skin in balance, utilizing either a gel or cream cleanser will keep the skin clear and moisturized. While your T-zone is a significant area for oily skin, chemical exfoliants a few times per week along with applying a weekly clay mask to that area will clear out the pores and balance the oil production. To keep skin hydrated look to a hyaluronic acid serum, lotions, or a hydrating mask for your cheeks.

Characteristics of Oily Skin Types and How We Treat Oily Skin:

• Pores seem enlarged and are visible
• Skin looks thicker and paler
• Prone to various forms of acne, especially in the T- Zone (forehead, nose and chin)
• Skin appears shiny or greasy
• Oily skin looks more plump and less aged

Individuals with oily skin can choose to utilize a mildly exfoliating facial cleanser or foaming cleanser with beta hydroxy acid (BHA) or alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). BHA and AHA serums are great products to help keep pores clear. All skin needs hydration, so incorporating a hyaluronic acid serum or niacinamide to balance oil production is key and gels are beneficial for keeping oily skin moisturized.

What Can Visia Do For You?

As you can see, there are external/visual ways to determine your skin type but there is also technology, such as a VISIA imaging system, to assess your skin type from the inside out to further the success of your results you are hoping to achieve.

Our in-house VISIA imaging system will assess ones pores, fine lines, skin discoloration, skin tone consistency, UV spots, bacteria and oil. After your personalized VISIA Complexion Analysis, our team will recommend the best skincare regimen, treatments and products to address your specific skin concerns. As your treatments progress, VISIA is also used to track the changes in your skin and the effectiveness of your skin care program.

At our office, as we enjoy watching your confidence grow, it’s not about improving your appearance, it’s about restoring youthful and healthy skin. Knowing your skin type is important for choosing the best skin care treatments and products, and customizing your personal skin care routine to promote optimal skin health, delay the signs of aging, and emphasize your best features and natural beauty.