Skin Types And Skin Changes Explained!
When it comes to caring for your skin, the first step is to identify what type of skin you have. There are five different skin types and before you buy that moisturizer, cleanser, or foundation, you should understand how your skin behaves and why.
Each skin type has a specific set of characteristics. They are determined by genetics but can also be influenced by some daily habits and environmental factors which can make the skin change from one type to another.
In this post, I have taken my time to explain the different skin types and also show you how skin types can change due to some factors.
What Are The Different Skin Types?
#1: Oily skin
Typically, the skin secretes natural oils to keep itself moisturized, but in the case of oily skin, this process can go overboard. Oily skin is characterized by a greasy appearance, big or open pores, and frequent breakouts.
If you notice that your skin breaks out after applying moisturizers or almost anything, you may be having oily skin. People with oily skin also usually have trouble finding a sunscreen that doesn’t feel heavy and sticky.
#2: Dry skin
Dry skin always appears dull and lifeless. This type of skin looks dull because it is often covered in a layer of dead skin cells. Unlike a well-hydrated skin that has a smooth surface that reflects light evenly, light reflects off rough dry skin cells in all directions.
Dry skin is characterized by a feeling of tightness. There may also be flaking or scaly patches. People with dry skin types generally have almost invisible pores and may suffer regular irritation to the skin and premature wrinkles.
Many factors can be responsible for dry skin, including hereditary, hot showers, sun exposure, and over-exfoliating with products like glycolic and salicylic acid. Also, as we age and changes in hormonal levels begin to occur, the skin naturally gets drier.
The skin will produce less sebum, so a decreased amount of lipids will hold less moisture on the skin, making it drier. This condition is also called xerosis.
If you have a dry skin type, you should avoid very hot showers and steer clear of products containing sulphates or detergents, which can irritate the skin. Use a creamier moisturizer on the skin instead of a gel or lotion.
#3: Combination skin
Combination skin is a mixture of two or more skin types on the face – usually oily skin and dry skin. This type of skin typically experiences dry and flaky skin on certain parts of the face while the other portions experience excess oil.
Most people usually believe they have oily skin when in the real sense, they have combination skin type. If you only have oil in some parts of your face – usually in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) while some other parts are dry or normal, you could be having a combination skin type.
Although this type of skin seems to be the most common, it can be hard to identify and treat. Dealing with both oily and dry skin could mean getting the perfect skincare regimen that is effective enough to exfoliate the skin without irritating it.
#4: Normal skin
Normal skin is also referred to as eudermic. This is a well-balanced skin type. It is neither too dry nor too oily. Normal skin tends to have a balanced pH and sebum production. Normal skin types are characterized by a smooth texture, no sensitivity, fine pores, no blemishes, and a few or no breakouts.
However, that doesn’t mean that normal skin types should also not be taken care of. If you have normal skin, it is important to do everything to keep it hydrated, healthy, while you follow a basic skincare regimen.
#5: Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is a skin type that is easily aggravated by the weather or harsh products, which could result in stinging, rashes, or blotchy patches. If your skin often breaks out and develop red spots and red rashes, you may be having sensitive skin.
This is the most delicate type of skin to handle, so if you have sensitive skin, you may need to find a skincare routine that works fine for you. You will need to avoid harsh ingredients and don’t use too many active ingredients at once.
Can The Skin Type Change?
Yes, the skin types can often fluctuate from one skin type to the other due to several factors, such as aging and some other internal and external factors. Below are some factors that could cause skin types to change.
Climate or seasonal changes and skin changes
Normally, the skin has its way of making adjustments according to seasonal and climatic changes in order to keep the organ safe. However, different skin types can react differently to weather changes. For example, when there is more humidity during the summer, the skin could become less dry as it produces more oil.
There is less humidity in the air in the winter, so the skin might show signs of dryness; strong winds as well as indoor heating systems can also dry out the skin. I don’t think that the actual skin type changes with the seasons, but oil secretion can change based on how much heat or humidity there is in the air.
The changes can be sudden, as the skin will try to adapt to different temperatures. Changes in lifestyle, such as heating systems being turned on, and in general, more difference in indoor and outdoor temperatures, can also cause seasonal skin type change.
Hormonal imbalance and skin changes
Hormonal levels could fluctuate for different reasons, but when they do, it could cause changes in your skin. Times when we experience hormonal fluctuations are during menstruation, when starting or discontinuing birth control pills, during pregnancy, and during pre-menopause or menopause. During these occasions, women’s skin tends to become oilier and results in breakouts.
Topical treatments and skin changes
The use of some topical treatments such as the ones that contain retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, or vitamins, could make the skin more sensitive and cause different changes in skin behavior. Such changes include burning, discoloration, irritation, flaking, and allergic reactions.
To avoid negative skin change effects due to topical treatments, it is good to always wear sunscreen when using these types of products.
Medicine and skin changes
Certain medicines can cause the skin to experience some changes. An example of this are diuretic medicines which can cause dry skin. You may need to talk to your doctor or dermatologist about the possible ways you can manage any side effects your medications might be having on your skin.
Lifestyle and skin changes
Some other internal factors that could affect our skin behaviour are connected to our lifestyle. Things like how much sleep we get every night, our stress level, how much exercise we do, and whether we smoke can also influence our skin behaviour.
Final thoughts
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, it is important to chose the right skincare for the different skin types. It is also important to keep checking our skin for any changes, and change our skincare routine accordingly. At Terre Verdi we offer a range of products suitable for different skin types and adaptable as our skin changes.
Some examples:
For the evening, we recommend using FranChouliPom Nourishing Facial Serum in the winter on dry skin, and Herbs&Trees Balancing Facial Serum on oily and combination skin. Herbs&Trees can also be used during hot summer months by those who suffer from dry skin in the winter, to adapt to the more humid weather that can result in an oilier skin tone.
GoodOils Cleansing Oil can be replaced in the summer by TheBianco Camellia Oil, which is great both to cleanse the skin in warmer weather, but also to cleanse and moisturise sensitive skin throughout the year.
Our products are versatile and multi-tasking. They are also shareable thanks to the pumps and spray caps that avoid bacteria and dirt from reaching the product. The whole family can enjoy less products and adapt to their different skin types and individual needs of changing skin due to the different factors.