A key part of understanding your overall physical health is learning more about your skin. As the largest organ in the human body, skin is responsible for protecting you from the majority of hazards circulating though our environment. However, depending on what kind of skin you have, you might notice that it responds differently to certain conditions and develops various kinds of blemishes. These are the different types of skin a person can have and a few helpful tips to care for each type.
Normal Skin
Normal skin is generally considered to be well-balanced and healthy. It has good blood circulation, small pores, and a soft, smooth texture that promotes a more youthful appearance. This is the ideal for many people, as it’s the most capable of responding to sun damage and less likely to be affected by minor irritants. However, as a person ages, they lose the natural collagen and elasticity that protects their skin and develop one of the following types of skin as a result. The aging process alone makes maintaining normal skin difficult, but a solid skin care routine can stave off the effects.
Dry Skin
Dry skin isn’t as healthy because it lacks the ability to retain essential moisture. It produces less sebum, the substance that provides it with hydration, so the surface may look dry, flaky, and even enflamed. Due to this, dry skin is also very susceptible to damaging environmental conditions, and it can’t respond as effectively to injuries. For this reason, people with drier skin are highly encouraged to apply concentrated moisturizers as part of their skin care routines. Moisture is important regardless, but it’s particularly vital for people whose skin lacks it.
Oily Skin
Conversely, oily skin is the result of the production of too much sebum. With excess oils sitting on your face, your pores are more likely to catch dirt and debris as you go about your day. The pores clog much more quickly, producing a chain reaction of irritation that eventually turns into painful acne. Fortunately, certain substances can have a drying effect on the skin while effectively dissolving the toxins causing you to break out. Salicylic acid is a great example of this.
Sensitive Skin
People can also suffer from particularly sensitive skin, which is identified from the reactions it has to certain substances and conditions. People with sensitive often find that using new products or exposing themselves to an irritant can trigger itchiness and rash-like blotches. This development can feel similar to allergy symptoms, and it often needs to be treated by avoiding potential causes. However, you can gain a better understanding of these triggers by testing new products before using them on your entire face.
Combination Skin
Combination skin can also be considered its own separate skin type due to the list of possibilities it presents. This skin category is described as any variation of skin that behaves like one type along the cheeks, but acts like another along the nose, forehead, and chin. People with normal to dry skin along their cheekbones can still experience oily or sensitive symptoms elsewhere. This can make caring for it very difficult, depending on what combination you have. To find the best possible routine for you, it’s best to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
