SKIN TYPES

So your skin is influenced by both intrinsic (genetic) as well as extrinsic (external) factors. SKIN TYPE  is determined genetically and is one of the many aspects of your overall appearance, which also includes color of  eyes, skin and hair, etc. The dryness or oiliness levels indicates your intrinsic or genetic skin type   Different Skin Types: DRY, OILY, COMBINATION, BALANCED.  

OILY SKIN  

Characteristics:

Oily/Lipidic skin; Make-up seems to slide off after a few hours, heat and humidity tend to increase sebum, cooler temperatures work better for this skin type.

• Overactive sebaceous glands gives skin a shiny appearance even within an hour of cleansing the skin
• Oily skin tends to have medium to large pores in T-zone and outer cheeks
• Therefore maybe prone to acne but usually has clogged pores
• In cold and dry weather skin dehydration may occur (combination skin)
• Skin is thick and coarse
• Maybe sallow ( cause, excess sebum, dead trapped skin cells, sluggish blood and lymph circulation

GOAL: Deep cleansing, remove build up of dead skin cells hydration & sebum regulation. Build and strengthen skin barrier

SHOP OILY SKIN PRODUCTS 

COMBINATION SKIN

Characteristics:

Oily and dry areas of the face. can shift towards being balanced during summer and dry during winter time. Consequently Balanced to oily has a wider T-zone and more areas of oily than dry. Balanced to dry has a narrow T-zone and has more dry areas.

• Usually oily on the T-zone,
• The T-zone can have enlarged pores, cheeks medium to small and be prone to blackheads and breakouts
• Dehydrated/Dry Flaky areas on cheeks, neck and around eye area
• Tightens in cheek area
• oily areas skin thick, thinner in other areas
• Sallow in oily areas, sensitive and red in dry areas

GOAL: Balance.  Build and strengthen skin barrier

SHOP COMBINATION SKIN

BALANCED SKIN

Characteristics:

Balanced skin is the desired result of all other skin types and is very rare.  Maintenance and preventative care are the goals for this skin type.

• Balance of dry and oily skin,
• Maintained skin barrier,
• So usually free from blemishes but may form blackheads,
• Pores are normal in size,
• Can become more like combination skin with changing weather conditions

GOAL: To maintain balanced skin. Protect and maintain skin barrier

SHOP BALANCED SKIN

DRY SKIN

Characteristics:

This skin type lacks natural oil/ lipids (Alipidic) content and the ability to hold moisture to the skin which means it can develop fine lines and wrinkles more than other skin types. This skin type usually has small pores sebum is minimal. Dry skin loves humidity; winter air can rob the skin's moisture.

• Dry, flaky
• Tight skin feel
• Rough textured
• Feels taught immediately after cleansing
• Poor elasticity lacks tone and suppleness
• Increasing the tendency to wrinkle and create fine lines
• Doesn't absorb products easily

GOAL: To keep moisture in the skin. Build and strengthen skin barrier

SHOP DRY SKIN

SKIN CONDITIONS

Firstly, SKIN CONDITIONS are generally treatable imbalances of the skin that are often related to extrinsic factors such as diet and environment, but can be linked to a genetic component. A skin type can be prone to certain skin conditions.( eg  oily skin prone to acne and blemishes)  Skin Condition: DEHYDRATED, BLEMISH PRONE, REDNESS, PIGMENTATION, SENSITIVE /SENSITIZED,  PHOTO AGING / PREMATURE AGING.

YOUR SKIN IS ALIVE

Skin is a living organ that changes continually with external and internal influences. Therefore your genetic skin type may have a tendency towards certain skin conditions, e.g. oily skin can be prone to acne and congestion.
You are a unique individual. Just like your skin. Your skin can react to Internal and external triggers that can influence your individual skin type.  As a result there can be many layers to uncover before you find the different triggers. Here are some examples below

TRIGGERS

Diet:
Stress:
Smoking;
Sun exposure:
Weather hot cold humidity seasonal changes
Pollution:
Clothing/washing powder
Emotional upsets
Prolonged illness
prescription medication
Skin care products
Skincare routine
Sleep issues
Spicy foods
Alcohol
Heating/ cooling/ humidity in home and work

Digestive issues
Hot water
Chlorine in bathing water
Gut health
Allergies food and environment
Liver congestion
Genetic inheritance
ethnicity

LIFE STAGES

Different life stages can trigger certain skin imbalances. Look at your skin type at different life stages. Think about your emotions and how you were feeling:

Teenage years
20's
During pregnancy
After pregnancy
30's
Illness
Moving to a different city or county
Change in your work environment
Change in your diet
40's
Perimenopause
Menopause
50's
60's and beyond

JANES EXAMPLE

Jane is in her 30's. She grew up in Brisbane, which has a relatively humid summer and dry air winter. Looking back when Jane was a teenager, she experienced an oily T-zone with small to medium sized pores and minimum breakouts. So she found her skin reacted with her emotions when she was embarrassed, her cheeks and chest would go bright red. Her skin would act the same way with heat.

As a result Acidic products such as AHA exfoliants would cause red patches for extended periods with stinging. Her Fitzpatrick type is 2 she has blonde her and blue eyes. Her skin has a red tone with a few freckles on her cheeks and no freckles on the rest of her body.

In her 20s Jane moved to Perth which tends to have dry air all year. She found her skin feeling dry and taut most of the time which made her skin sensitive to most products. Jane no longer had an oily T-zone.  So she used heavy creams, but it didn't seem to help the dryness. She worked all day in an office with air conditioning and came home to air conditioning.

In her 30s she became concerned with premature ageing. Jane noticed crepe paper like skin around her eyes mouth and forehead where a lot of fine wrinkles were appearing. Janes all over skin tone had become patchy with redness and broken capillaries. She had been concerned with her weight recently and had been on a low-fat diet; she had been feeling overwhelmed and stressed with work issues.

SKIN GOALS
Her skin goals are to combat the dryness and tightness she feels in her skin; she wants her skin to look plump and dewy, to soften her wrinkles and even out her red blotchy skin tone.

LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PICTURE TO GET TO KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE

Janes skin was fairly balanced in her teenage years. She is prone to sensitive skin issues, which correlates with her Fitzpatrick skin type. Her skin reacts to environmental changes in which dry air robs her skin from moisture causing dry dehydrated and premature ageing.
As well her low-fat diet is not feeding the skin cells the beneficial oils it needs to keep her skins natural barrier intact and her skin cells plump and healthy.

Jane is in her late 30's, and her skin is now producing less sebum (oil) to protect and lubricate. Therefore the thick cream has been a protective barrier but has not sufficiently hydrated the skin, as the cream is low in skin hydrating ingredients. Janes, natural skin barrier, has become compromised its causing red patches and skin inflammation.

Janes individual skin type at this moment is Dry, Dehydrated and Sensitive, with signs of premature ageing. We can see from her teenage years that Jane is prone to sensitive skin. As a result she needs products with ingredients that hydrate, calm redness, strengthen skin capillaries and moisturise while building and repairing the skin's natural barrier. Along with targeted antioxidant's to protect and support the skin from premature ageing.

AM Ritual:
• ph balanced, gentle cleanser.
• A 3 min hydrating calming mask that does not need washing off.
• Hydrating serum with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories
• An oil elixir to nourish and feed.
• A barrier building moisturiser with skin identical ingredients.
• Plus a zinc based sunscreen with calming and protecting properties
• Or a tinted zinc moisturiser with sunscreen properties

PM RITUAL
• Double cleanse with a ph balanced, gentle cleanser.
• A 3 min hydrating calming mask that does not need washing off.
• Hydrating serum with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories
• An oil elixir to nourish and feed.
• A barrier building moisturiser with skin-identical ingredients.

I would suggest that Jane;
• Avoid washing her face under hot water.
• So Instead use a soft washcloth with tepid water.
• Hydrate and moisturise straight after cleansing without drying off.
• Avoid powdered mineral foundation as it can be drying
• Use a weekly hydrating moisture mask with layering antioxidant serums and elixirs.
• Use a weekly calming mask that needs rinsing.
• However once the barrier is strong enough use gentle weekly exfoliation with enzymes and or gentle exfoliating grains.
• Incorporate weekly Facial massage to help detox and nourish the skin.
• Try daily facial exercises to lift and smooth wrinkles.
• A hydrating facial spray to keep her skin plump and hydrated throughout the day.

There is one primary trigger that is causing skin dryness is a lack of moisture in the air. Jane can fix low humidity conditions at work and at home. She can use a desk humidifier at work and a bigger humidifier at home to help keep skin moist.

Dietary triggers : Jane needs to reassess her low fat- diet. Her skin cells are craving beneficial oils including olive oil, coconut oil and flaxseed oil. She needs fish oil to feed her skin cells and calm inflammation. A daily intake of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods would help support premature ageing. In short It would be beneficial for Jane to consult a Nutritionist for her skin and overall health.

I would suggest Jane use deep breathing and yoga to help her with stress; Jane should look at her work dynamics to find the cause of stress and communicate this with her Manager. Stress plays havoc within the body, and weak adrenals can cause dry skin issues and other imbalances. I would suggest she speak to a natural health professional for advice.

SOME EXTRA TIPS FOR KNOWING WHAT YOUR SKIN TYPE IS

To tackle your skin concerns in ORDER of priority when implementing your skin care ritual:
1. Calm sensitivities and strengthen skin barrier.
2. Inflamed acne
3. Acne
4. Congestion
5. Aging

Listen to your skin it has lots to tell you. It's an excellent practice to keep a diary to see what may be triggering your skin concerns. Write down your

feelings, when you might be feeling stressed or anxious, happy or sad. Look at your skin care routine and products. Could this be a trigger? Sometimes skin just wants to be left to alone, you may have many skin concerns and are tempted to try different remedies. Taking a break is something you could consider, sometimes less is more. Find what works for you.

It's all about the journey, not the destination. Be positive feel and see the changes. Be mindful of your own beauty ritual using all your senses and being in the moment. Look for your own beauty from within, let go and relax.