What’s Your Skin Type?

Skin type is an analysis of your skin’s natural oil production, water content, and sensitivity. While it may fluctuate over time, knowing your skin type is the first step to caring for your skin. Genetics, stress, climate, diet, age, and lifestyle are a few factors that affect the properties of your skin. Skin is divided into five basic types and two sub-types. Check out the charts below to see where you fit.

To determine your skin type, first thing in the morning, head to a mirror and examine your face. Noticing certain characteristics can help you narrow your skin down towards specific types:

NORMAL	Normal skin is not especially prone to either oil or dryness. The skin is smooth and pores are not visible throughout.
OILY	Oily skin is a result of large pores. Face tends to be shiny and greasy. Those with oily skin are more likely to have frequent acne breakouts.
DRY	Dry skin is usually flaky and lacks elasticity. The skin might peel, contain cracks, and lack vibrancy. This skin requires more moisture than others.
COMBINATION	Combination skin exhibits traits of all the above skin types. However, pores in the T-zone* are large, and this area is more likely to be greasy with blackheads. Most people fall into this category.

* The T-Zone is the area from your forehead, between your eyebrows, down to your nose, and upper cheekbones

In addition to one of the former, your skin may fall into one of these categories:

SENSITIVE	Skin reacts to most skin products by getting red and itchy. Those with sensitive skin should seek out more gentle cleansers.
ACNE-PRONE	Skin is easily breaks out and does so often

Knowing your skin type makes the process of finding the right solutions to your skin concerns easier and more effective. If you are having persistent troubles with acne, oil, or need some assistance in creating a customized personal care routine with our dermatologists, please contact Avail Dermatology at (770) 251-1111 for your consultation.