Finding the skincare products that suit you is essential to building the perfect skincare routine. Whether you’ve been on a skincare journey for years, or are just looking for somewhere to start, identifying your skin type and the products that work best for you is imperative. The skin on your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body, so keeping it in good condition will require different products. Maintaining healthy skin as a part of your self-care process can be a relaxing and personal way to give yourself some much needed TLC.

Keep reading to figure out your skin type and get some tips on choosing the right products.

Identifying Your Skin Type

The 5 basic skin types that are the most common to identify are; Normal, Oily, Dry, Combination and Sensitive. Identifying your skin type will help massively when it comes to choosing the products you need to get your skin looking and feeling its best. Keep reading to figure out what skin type you are and what kinds of products should work for you.

Dry Skin

Dry skin is lacking in moisture, often causing it to feel tight, flaky or itchy. It is caused by a lack of sebum being produced by your glands. This can be uncomfortable if moisture continues being lost, leading to itching and cracking. Dry skin can be worsened by extreme weather, hot showers/baths and harmful ingredients in products you may already be using.

Oily skin

Oily skin often looks shiny, and you may have more obvious pores or be more prone to blackheads & blemishes. Heat and humidity can worsen the appearance or oily skin, as well as stress and other hormonal imbalances. Opposed to dry skin, oily skin is a result of your glands producing more sebum which can potentially clog your pores and worsen your skin's appearance.

Combination skin

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but, combination skin is a mix of both dry and oily skin in different areas of the face. Typically, the T-zone, nose, forehead and chin, gets oily and the outer portions of the face, like the jaw stay dry. This will differ from person to person, but combination skin refers to both oily and dry textures of the skin.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin can present itself as red, irritated or hypersensitive. It can be reactive to touch, different food types, fragrances in products and also heat/hot water. Any skin type can become sensitive, depending on the external factors, sensitive skin may be triggered by environmental aspects.

Normal Skin

One of the less common skin types, normal skin is described as ‘balanced’ not feeling too oily or too dry. Also, not too prone to breakouts, being greasy or tight. Although normal skin does not pose any obvious issues, proper skin care is still required to keep it looking its healthiest.

Hopefully this list has helped you identify which skin type you fall into. The next step in building a great skincare routine is identifying the products that will work best for you. Skincare can come in many categories, but we are going to break down a basic morning and evening routine. Morning skincare is all about protecting your face from the sun or dirt and pollution that might clog your pores. However, night time routines involve products that work on your skin as you’re sleeping, giving your face a chance to repair and rejuvenate.

Morning routines

For a super simple morning routine

• Wash your face with warm water or a light cleanser
• Tone (this is all about balancing your skin)
• Moisturise
• SPF (using a light sunscreen protects your skin from damage)
• Prime your skin for makeup (unless you’re going for an all natural glow of course!)

Night time routines

Night time routines differ very slightly

• Start by cleansing
• Use a serum (serums are absorbed quicker and help brighten your face)
• Night time moisturiser (moisturiser is usually heavier, so goes on after your serum has been absorbed)
• Eye cream (invest in a good quality eye cream for the best results)
• Get some shut eye! Sleeping protects your skin and gives it a chance to repair, so getting proper sleep is vital to keeping your face looking radiant

Finding the Correct Products

Cleanser

Finding a cleanser that doesn't strip your skin’s essential oils is important to maintaining your skin’s health. For combination and oily skin, the Clarins purifying cleanser is perfect. A foaming cleanser and light exfoliator is great for oil prone skin, as the foam removes dirt from clogged pores. This cleanser also has a version for both sensitive skin and dry skin. Typically, dry skin would benefit from a lotion cleanser to help re moisturise the skin. For those with sensitive skin, if cleanser is still too harsh on your skin, washing with water is more than okay. Clinique also offers a range of cleansers aimed at different skin types.

Toner

Toner is useful for all skin types but can really help with oily skin. It can help remove the extra dirt, especially after a day of wearing makeup. If you’re looking for hydration, hyaluronic acid is definitely your friend. For sensitive skin, the Clarins soothing toning lotion is a great option. You will find many toners for all skin types, depending on how your skin reacts, some products may not be the right one for you. There’s nothing wrong with a little trial and error in finding what works for you!

Serum

Serums work well overnight as they are absorbed by your skin quicker than moisturisers. Serums are often aimed at hydrating and brightening your skin, so if you fall into the dry or combination skin category, these will work great for you. They often tighten and firm the skin overnight, reducing lines on the face to give a more youthful appearance. Some serums can be appropriate for all skin types, so it’s all about finding something that works best for you!

Moisturiser

Moisturiser is subjective. Some people like a really heavy moisturiser, other people prefer something light. It varies from person to person, so finding the best moisturiser for your skin can help you narrow down what kind of textures you prefer.

Some moisturisers are recommended for all skin types such as the Kiehls ultra face cream. If you’re seeking hydration, again, hyaluronic acid is a good ingredient to look out for, but stay clear of fragranced products that actually might do more damage. You could also try adding a little bit of facial oil, for dry skin, to your moisturiser, for extra hydration and an added glow. For oily skin, a water based moisturiser would probably work well to diminish a greasy appearance.

You can also invest in both a day cream and a night cream. This may not be necessary for everyone, however, day creams tend to be a little lighter and contain SPF so using this at night may create more blockages in your pores. Night cream is usually a little heavier, and provides necessary hydration to your skin overnight. You can definitely find double duty moisturisers if you just feel like including one in your routine, but it's all down to personal preference!

SPF

SPF protects your skin from any damage it might experience from the sun. By using SPF to protect your skin, it reduces the likelihood of early wrinkling. For those with sensitive skin SPF 15 - 30 is appropriate, you can also find lots of moisturisers that contain SPF if you find a suncream a little too harsh or excessive. Oil is already protective against the sun, so a lightweight SPF would work if you have oily skin because it won’t clog your pores as much. And for dry skin, a minimum 30 SPF is good for sun protection, which could also be found in a moisturiser if you prefer.

Final Tips:

Lastly, an important thing to consider when looking for your products is to check the ingredients. Products with a high percentage of alcohol or fragrances are often ones to be wary of, as these can actually be more unnatural and damaging. Always double check ingredients to make sure you're not compromising your skincare unintentionally.

Always do a patch test with a new product, just in case you have an unexpected reaction to something. Try testing a product on the side of your neck, your jaw or your arm. Leave the product to sit to make sure you don’t have any kind of reaction before you apply anything to your face. If you notice some kind of reaction, wash the product off with warm water.

If you're still feeling unsure about your skin type or have any queries about your skin regime you can speak to an expert or member of staff at Perfume Oasis today.