Get to know your Skin Type
Skincare can be rather overwhelming and it is for this reason that SKIn functional is here to guide you through every step of your journey. The first step of skincare is knowing your skin type. While this seems like something rather easy, this too can be quite a topic to navigate.
There are four main categories of skin types, namely:
- Combination / Normal
- Sensitive
- Dry
- Oily
| Skin Type | How do I know I have it | What will I see or feel | Why do I have it | How can I support / fix it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combination / Normal | Skin responds appropriately to substances. Not overly reactive. This is the most common skin type. |
You may have a T-panel in younger years. The T-Panel refers to an area on the face that is oilier than the rest of your rest. The T Panel is made up of the forehead, nose and chin.
The U-panel is oilier areas, typically in older skin, which goes from jaw bone to jaw bone along the chin area. |
This is skin that changes normally to seasonal and environment fluctuations. It could be slightly dryer in winter but not overly dry. May be a little oilier in summer where there is humidity Skin changes with the seasons. There is never intense dryness, flaking or sensitivity. |
Respond to your skin needs by changing your skin care routine based on the season. For example change to a lotion from a heavier cream in summer. |
| Sensitive | Skin reacts to a variety of ingredients, you need to be mindful of what you put on your skin as skin is reactive. Reacting to seemingly common products or ingredients. Stress, food types and certain products create reactive flare ups. |
Skin tends to sting burn or itch easily. It may sometimes become red and inflamed. Skin may flake more often than usual even outside of winter. | The skin is allowing substances to more easily pass through the outer protective layer. As a result, the skin’s immune system reacts to these and displays the signs and symptoms previously mentioned. | Need to achieve the following objectives in order to poorly manage this skin type Reinforce and or support the outer layer of the skin (lipid bilayer). Calm the reactivity of the skin’s immune system. When both of these happen at the same time this is called a skin flare. |
| Dry | Skin is tight, pulling, flaking with an exaggerated course texture. | Tight, Pulling, Flaky, Dull, Textured skin. Visible glyphic lines. | Marginally impaired barrier. The skin doesn’t experience sensitivity. This skin type doesn’t experience a flare up or immune response as a result of the impaired barrier. |
Ingredients that support or restore the outer skin barrier. Usually more lipid based products as opposed to water based products. |
| Oily | Shiny, greasy feel to the skin, Usually in T-Panel for younger skin or U-Panel for older skin. Enlarged pores, frequent comedones and may be prone to breakouts. | Shiny face. | The sebaceous glands that produce sebum are predominantly controlled by hormones. There is typically greater hormone activity in the sebaceous glands. You are not able to stop the oiliness, rather manage it. | Persistent management of production of Sebum. |
