Identifying your skin type

The first step in creating a personalized skincare routine is to identify your skin type. This will determine the daily steps you should take and the proper products to use. The chart below will tell you where your skin fits in.

A Daily Routine For Your Skin Type

With your skin type determined, it’s time to get the details of your daily routine. Read the following and make it an AM/PM ritual (please note that product recommendations are different for each skin type):

GENERAL SKIN CARE TIPS

Your skin, the largest organ in your body, protects inner tissues and organs from the outside environment. It’s important to take good care of your skin so it will continue to protect your insides and stay healthy as you age. Aside from time, the most damaging factor to your skin is the sun. Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by wearing sunscreen (at least SPF 15, but 30 is better) and protective clothing (brimmed hats, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts, etc.). Other causes of skin damage and premature aging include smoke and yo-yo dieting. Not only do the chemicals in smoke dry and damage your skin, but wrinkles will form on your face from pursing your lips around cigarettes and squinting to keep smoke out of your eyes. Dieting affects the skin because losing and gaining weight causes the skin to stretch and lose elasticity, making it more vulnerable to wrinkling and sagging under the force of gravity.

Moisturizing is important for healthy skin, but be sure to choose a moisturizer that won’t cause irritation. You may want to look for lotions that contain alpha-hydroxy acids to wash away dead skin cells, keeping pores clean and revealing new skin, and to reduce water loss and the appearance of fine lines. However, this product may be irritating to sensitive skin. Avoid creams or lotions with sodium lauryl sulfate which removes natural oils from the skin. You can also help eliminate dry skin by using a humidifier, bathing less frequently, drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, and using moisture masks.

Tips for daily skin care include:

Wash your face with tepid, not hot water, and use a facecloth and mild soap to wash off dead skin cells. Choose a soap that’s suited for your skin type (oily, normal, or dry). People with oily skin may need to wash their faces two or three times a day.

Don’t wash your body with hot water or harsh soaps that will dry and irritate the skin. If you have dry skin, only wash your underarms, genitals, face, feet, and hands with mild soap.

Pat yourself dry with a towel, rather than rubbing, and apply moisturizer immediately.

For men when shaving, soften your beard area with a warm washcloth and then cover the area with shaving cream. Use a sharp blade and pass the razor over your skin only once in the direction of hair growth. Shaving in the other direction may cause irritation.

ACNE

Acne is the general term for pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. About 85% of people between 12 and 25 experience acne, though to varying degrees. Resulting from clogged pores, acne typically appears on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and scalp. A pore gets clogged when the sebaceous gland – responsible for lubricating the skin and connected to the base of the hair follicle – produces excess oil that combines with dead skin cells to form a soft, white plug. Within the clogged pore, bacteria that naturally live on the skin multiply, causing an infection. In response to bacterial growth, the immune system sends white blood cells to combat the invaders. The combination of oil, dead skin cells, bacteria, and white blood cells causes the wall of the plugged follicle to bulge, producing a whitehead or blackhead. The difference between these two is whether the plug remains below the skin or is pushed to the surface. When the pressure of the hair follicle pushes the oil and dead skin cells to the surface of the skin, a blackhead forms. A whitehead is a clogged pore below the surface of the skin. If the follicle wall breaks down and spills its contents into nearby skin, a lesion or pimple will form.

Acne is the combined result of three factors: build-up of oil, abnormal shedding of dead skin cells, and bacteria growth. Scientists aren’t sure exactly what leads to these changes in the skin, but certain factors have been found to play a part. Hormones, heredity, bacteria, and medication are among the causes of acne. Additionally, environmental factors, such as pollution or high humidity, and touching your skin with your hands or other bacteria-laden objects can promote pimples. Some say stress causes acne, others disagree, but it’s a good idea to reduce stress for other health reasons anyway. Surprisingly, food has nothing to do with acne.

The best way to treat and prevent mild acne is to wash your skin with a gentle cleanser in the morning, evening, and after heavy exercise. Astringents, scrubs, and masks are often harsh on the skin, producing irritation that will lead to more acne. There are many over-the-counter and prescription treatments, including lotions, antibiotics, and oral contraceptives. Look for lotions with benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, or salicylic acid to dry excess oil and promote peeling. Do not pick or squeeze blemishes because you may push the infection deeper into the skin and cause scars. Avoid oily and greasy cosmetics, sunscreens, and hair products; only use products labeled “water-based” or “noncomedogenic.” More serious forms of acne may require treatment by a dermatologist.