Everyone has had to deal with one skin issue or another at some point in their lives, whether it’s acne, dryness, sensitivity, oiliness, discoloration, or wrinkles. While it’s impossible to avoid these problems altogether, you can take steps to minimize them or manage them. Try to set realistic expectations for your skin, and don’t get discouraged if it takes a few months to see the results from your new skincare routine. If you have any questions about your skin, talk to a dermatologist.
1. Figure out your skin type. Wash your face and pat it dry, then wait for an hour. Press a clean tissue to your nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead, and then look to see if there’s an oil residue on the tissue. This can help you decide if you have oily, dry, or normal skin.If there’s no oily residue on the tissue and your skin doesn’t feel tight or dry, you have normal skin.
If there is oily residue on the tissue, you have oily skin. You may also be prone to acne.
If there’s no oily residue on the tissue but your skin is tight and flaky, you have dry skin.
Combination skin means that your skin can be dry and oily. It might be flaky and rough around the edges, but oily along the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). Combination skin tends to have visible pores only in the T-zone area.
If you have sensitive skin, your skin might get red and irritated very easily.
If you can see fine lines or wrinkles in your skin, you have aging skin.
2. Choose moisturizing products if you have dry skin. If your skin feels tight, dry, or is flaky, you probably have dry skin. Try to avoid products that dry your skin out, like salicylic acid, and go for heavy moisturizers and hydration-boosting products.
If you have really dry skin, like chapped cheeks or lips in the winter, try a thick ointment, like petroleum jelly.
3.Stay away from oil-based products if you have oily skin. Having oily skin means your face produces a surplus of oil throughout the day. While it’s still important to moisturize your face, you should stay away from cleansers and makeup removers that have more oil in them so you don’t overload your skin.Go for products that say “oil-free” or “noncomedogenic.”
If you’re struggling with your oily skin, try using blotting paper throughout the day to gently remove some of the oil from your face. Blotting paper is a thin, tissue-paper like sheet that collects oil gently (and you can even use it on top of makeup).
4. Stick to gentle, light products if you are acne-prone. Similar to oily skin, acne-prone skincare is all about staying away from heavy products that might clog your pores. Look for ones that say “oil-free” or “won’t clog pores” as you search for cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup remover products.
Some products that treat acne can be drying, so make sure you keep a good moisturizer on hand to use every day.
5. Go for products with less than 10 ingredients if you have sensitive skin. Sensitive skin needs a little bit of special treatment so you don’t irritate it. As you look for products, try to find ones that have less than 10 ingredients on the back of the bottle to ensure that you aren’t going to make your skin itchy or dry
Fragrances are often very irritating for sensitive skin. Above all else, pick products that don’t smell like anything.
If you’re worried about how your skin might react to a new product, try testing it on a small patch of your face or neck for 24 hours before you use it all over. If you have any redness or itching in that spot, don’t use the product.
6. Pick products that are moisturizing and hydrating if your skin is aging. As you get older, your skin may start to wrinkle and not be as elastic. While this is totally normal, adding some hydration to your skin can help slow down the process and brighten up your face. Stick to products that are moisturizing and lock in hydration if you have aging skin.You should also pick products that have SPF in them, as aging skin is very prone to sun damage.
Look for products that say “anti-aging” on them, but be wary of unrealistic promises (look 10 years younger in 1 week!).