Skin is your body’s largest organ and can tell a lot about yourself and your health. Several factors determine and impact your skin type. Based on these factors, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) highlights five main skin types: oily, dry, normal, combination, and sensitive. Each skin type has a distinct set of traits and requirements that might influence how your complexion looks and feels.
Knowing your skin type can help you make well-informed decisions when it comes to taking care of your skin and protecting it on a daily basis. So, if you aren’t aware of your skin type, keep reading this blog that covers all the basics about skin types, along with some tips for choosing the ideal skincare products and routines for each type. We have focused on the two most commonly found skin types, i.e., dry and oily skin. Let’s delve right into it!
Difference between oily and dry skin
The amount of sebum (oil) that your skin produces determines whether you have oily or dry skin. The oiliness in the skin can fluctuate over time and may also be affected by various elements like stress, food, environment, genes, hormones, humidity, and the aging process.
In oily skin, an excessive amount of sebum is produced, resulting in glossy and greasy skin, especially near the forehead, nose, and chin area. Dry skin, on the other hand, produces less amount of sebum, resulting in rough, flaky, or even scaly skin in most cases. In some cases, it might even appear to be dehydrated with more prominent fine lines.
Depending on the above description, you can figure out what kind of skin you have.
Skin care tips
No matter what type of skin you have, nourishing it and keeping it hydrated is crucial. But knowing your skin type will help you customise your skincare routine, use the right kind of skincare products, and avoid things that will trigger the issues that your skin is more susceptible to. You need to keep in mind that every skin is different. Thus, there’s no one common solution or tip that’ll suit every skin type. Let’s look at some skin-specific tips that you can use.
Oily skin care tips
If you have oily skin, you’re going to need to wash your face every day. You may be tempted to skip this step, but if you leave the oil on your face instead of washing it away, it can cause acne. The fact that oily skin generates more natural oils does not imply that it needs less moisture than other skin types. The key to nourishing oily skin is picking the right products that moisturise and replenish without blocking pores or causing skin breakouts. You can use a gentle foaming cleanser and toner to remove excess oil and other impurities.
Finally, avoid touching your face frequently. That includes poking at any blemishes or wiping away sweat with dirty hands. Doing this can cause bacteria to get under these layers causing infections or inflammation.
Dry skin care tips
If you have dry skin, the key to taking care of it is to keep it hydrated. Use a gentle cleanser that won’t strip away too much moisture, followed by a hydrating moisturiser. You need to ensure that you are using the right kind of moisturiser, cleanser and toner that’ll lock the moisture in your skin rather than add to its dryness.
Another tip is to switch to a warm water temperature while bathing as opposed to hot water. If you use any makeup products, you need to ensure that they won’t cause any irritation or excessive dryness to your skin. Finally, drinking an ample amount of water is essential to protect your dry skin from flaking or cracking.
Skin conditions to look out for
Oily skin
Oily skin is more prone to enlarged pores, acne, blackheads, and whiteheads at the same time, it tends to have fewer wrinkles and stretchy or flaky texture. Oily skin is more prone to developing acne, which is a result of the pores becoming clogged with dead skin cells and excess oil. This makes it easier for bacteria to grow on the face and cause breakouts.
Dry skin
While some people might believe that acne exclusively occurs in those with oily skin, this is not the case. As blemishes can appear when there is widespread skin damage, dry skin can sometimes result in acne. Extremely dry skin can frequently result in weakening, cracking, and/or bleeding. This happens because dry skin loses its suppleness and is more prone to splitting when stretched.
The skin initially becomes redder and starts to show fine fissures. It may feel rough or uneven due to these fissures, which frequently appear along the skin’s natural lines. It may subsequently develop rifts and deeper fissures, and certain parts of the skin may turn scaly or start to peel off.
Understand your skin better with experts
Every kind of skin is different and has unique characteristics and challenges. Thus, the focus shouldn’t just be on oily skin vs dry skin and which one is better, but on understanding your skin type and customising your skincare regime accordingly. If you are still unsure of what your skin type is, seeking an expert’s opinion can be the best way ahead. Interested in finding an expert dermatologist near you? Visit Skin and Hair Academy to connect with expert dermatologists from all over the country with just one click!
