Understanding your skin: Tips for maintenance and care
The skin, our body’s largest organ, is profoundly impacted by diet, undergoing cycles of renewal and repair. Proper nutrition provides essential materials for its beauty and strength, serving as a crucial barrier to internal systems vital for health. Proper skin care maintains this barrier’s strength, reducing the risk of infection from dryness or irritation. Additionally, the skin shields against harmful sun rays, emphasising the necessity of daily sunscreen application for people of all ages.
According to Treacha Reid, cosmetologist and trichologist, during her presentation at a Healthy Hair & Skin virtual forum, taking preventive measures with a well-thought-out skin care routine is essential to long-term skin health. This can help you avoid the development of certain conditions and signs of ageing, as well as reduce the severity of problems you may already be dealing with.
“Everyone has one of five skin types and different things can affect your skin type. Knowing which skin type you have can help you formulate a skincare regimen that leaves your skin looking and feeling healthy,” Reid said.
Normal skin is just that: normal. It is easy to take care of and is a lot less problematic than other skin types. “To care for normal skin, you can cleanse, tone and moisturise and use a serum. Natural home remedies include using lime with citric acid, moisturising cleansers with humectants,” she added.
Dry skin frequently lacks moisture and you will notice flaking and peeling. Your skin might also be easily irritated. “To nurture dry skin, you can cleanse, tone, moisturise and use a hydration serum. Natural home remedies include avocado and coconut oil mask, honey and milk and aloe vera. Hydrating cleansers and foaming cleansers are suitable and alcohol-free products can be used for best results.”
If you have oily skin, it may leave you dealing with frequent breakouts or acne. Oily skin has a shiny appearance and feels greasy to the touch. People with oily skin have overactive sebaceous glands and they also tend to have larger pores.
“To create balanced oil production and texture, cleanse, tone and moisturise. And, although oily skin can clog pores and lead to increased acne breakouts, oily skin also has many benefits. Oil helps preserve the skin, and people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. The key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin’s natural moisture,” Reid highlighted.
If you have sensitive skin, it is likely easily irritated. You may experience hives or breakouts when using specific products. Some people with sensitive skin experience frequent allergic reactions. Others have excess redness and irritation. According to an article in Frontiers in Medicine, almost 70 per cent of women and 60 per cent of men report having sensitive skin.
Having combination skin means you have to deal with both dry and oily skin. Your t-zone (nose, forehead, and chin) may be oily while your cheeks are dry and flaky.
“Combination skin manages to be both dry and oily at the same time. Not exactly the dermatological jackpot but with the right skin care routine, your dry and oily patches of skin can live in harmony,” Reid said.
Your skin undergoes changes influenced by factors like hormones, environment, and age. Genetics play a significant role, but hygiene, weather, and underlying conditions also affect skin type variation.
Reid mentioned, “As you get older, your skin thins and loses its elasticity. Older skin simply is not as plump and smooth as it used to be. These changes can impact your skin’s appearance and skin type. Skin can become more sensitive as you get older, and it is also more prone to drying out.”
Knowing your skin type can help you take better care of your skin, but it is not always easier to figure out. Your skin type can morph over time and with the seasons. If you are having trouble with your skin and feel like nothing you do is helping, make an appointment with a dermatologist.