Sunday, November 8, 2009

Skin Types and Treatments in 3 Easy Steps

Author: Pretty Skin 4 Less

Determining your skin type is crucial in meeting your skin care goals. If the wrong products are used for your skin needs, you can perpetuate the problems, create new issues, or fall short of your skin care goals. Complete the following questionnaire and educate yourself about your skin type needs.

  1. Cleanse your skin in the usual way.
  2. After an hour, with a good mirror in very strong light - preferably sunlight, take a close look at the skin all over your face. Note the skin around your eyes, the size of the pores, the amount of oil-shine, the skin on your forehead, and the skin on your nose.
  3. Using the information below, find product recommendations, key ingredients, and skin care resources specific to your skin type.

Dry or Dehydrated Skin

Many of us at some point in our lives have experienced dry skin, but what are the actual causes of dry skin and what can we do to increase our skin's hydration and relieve tightness and irritation? Dry skin is caused by many different internal and external variables. Cold wind, low temperatures, sun exposure, and even smoking can cause dry skin because it removes Vitamins A & C from the body, nutrients vital to the skin's protection and barrier from the environment.

The amount of water we drink every day can even affect the dryness of our skin, although dry skin isn't completely caused by the lack or water intake but drinking more water can definitely improve skin texture and comfort.

Characteristics

  • Mature skin
  • Fine texture
  • Lines around eyes, mouth and chin
  • Skin may have a taut feeling
  • Skin hardly ever breaks out
  • Skin is quite fair, flaky, thin, not shiny
  • Skin always burns (if not protected)
  • Skin doesn't produce enough oil
  • Follicles are small and oil minimal
  • Lacking the protection of the oil
  • Treatment goal is to moisturize and protect

Solutions

  • Look for Lavender, Aloe Vera, Calendula or Chamomile to help relieve any irritation or discomfort.
  • Look for Moisturizers with Shea Butter and Essential Oils.

Recommended Products

  • Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance
  • Dermalogica Dry Skin Kit
  • Sanitas Kit for Dry Skin
  • Sanitas Moistureizing Cleanser
  • La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Toner
  • La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Riche Soothing Protective Cream

Normal Skin

Normal skin has good water/oil balance and is usually blemish free. Since normal skin types don't have a lot of oiliness, sensitivity, or dryness a preventative skin care regimen is the ultimate goal for this skin type.

Characteristics

  • Good oil and water blanace
  • Free of blemishes
  • Smooth and firm to touch
  • Pores are barely noticable, except on the central panel, where they maybe be slightly larger
  • A few expression lines around mouth, eyes, and perhaps throat
  • Skin has a slight glow, translucence, looks healthy
  • Treatment goal is to maintain and protect

Solutions

  • A daily SPF and good moisturizer will help keep skin looking its best.

Recommended Products

  • Sanitas System for Normal Skin
  • Eminence Organic Starter Set for Normal Skin
  • Cellex-C Betaplex Gentle Cleansing Milk
  • MD Formulations Moisture Defense Anioxidant Lotion
  • Cellex-C Sun Care SPF 30
  • Sanitas Solar Block
  • SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture
  • La Roche-Posay Active C Eyes

Normal-Combination Skin

The most distinct characteristic of combination skin is the T-zone through the middle of the face tends to be more oily while the outer areas of the face tend to be dryer or even flaky. Combination requires a little more T.L.C than normal skin because of the imbalance of oil and dryness. Great ways to care for combination skin is to regular exfoliate and use a deep cleanser. Toners are also great for combination skin because the help to balance the T-zone and keep skin clear and blemish free.

Characteristics

  • Some areas oily, typically T-Zone, while others are dry including cheek area
  • Larger pores around nose and chin and barely noticable on cheeks
  • Cheeks may be dry or flaky and have smaller pores
  • Smooth and firm to touch
  • Shine starts to appear on T-Zone after cleansig
  • Treatment includes treating dry areas with moisture, exfoliation throughout, and clearning blemishes

Solutions

  • Look for deep cleaners.
  • Look for toners that balance the T-Zone and keep skin clear and blemish-free.

Recommended Products

  • Dermalogica Skin Refining Masque
  • Dermalogica MediBac Sebum
  • Sanitas System Package Combination Skin
  • La Roche=Posay Redermic Normal to Combination
  • Sanitas Oil Free Moisturizer
  • Dermalogica MediBac Oil Control Lotion

Oily Skin

Oily skin is characterized by excess oil/sebum production and generally has larger pores. Oily skin requires more exfoliating and cleansing because the pores clog easily and so dead skin cells build up over time resulting in blemishes, whiteheads and blackheads. The goal for oily skin is to balance oil production without over exfoliating or drying out the skin too much. If oily skin is over-dried the body tends to overcompensate for the dryness and produce even more oil than before. A water-based moisturizer is ideal for oily skin to balance and keep skin clear and protected. While oily skin can be prone to acne and blemishes, oily skin actually ages slower than all the other skin types, so there's definitely something beneficial about having oily skin.

Characteristics

  • Shine starts after cleansing, indicating excessive sebum or oils
  • Large pores
  • Blemishes common, blackheads or whiteheads
  • Treat with deeper cleansing and exolifation, water-based hydrators, and client education for home care

Solutions

  • Look for water-based moisturizers.
  • Look for equilizing skin toners.

Recommended Products

  • Sanitas System Package Oily Skin
  • Sanitas Drying Lotion
  • SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Oily
  • Eminence Organic Starter Set Oily Skin
  • Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser
  • SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner
  • Dermalogica Skin Kit Oily
  • MD Formulations Facial Cleansing Gel
  • Sanitas Salicylic Herbal Cleanser
  • Sanitas Oil Free Moisturizer
  • Sanitas Mild Medicated Toner
  • Jan Marini Bioglycolic Oily Skin Cleansing Gel
About the Author:

We are committed to creating a long-term business relationship by exceeding your customer service expectations and offering excellent products at unbeatable prices. We have decades of experience in the esthetics industry, including medical esthetics and spa products and services. We are happy to give skin care regimen advice for all of your skin care needs.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Skin Types and Treatments in 3 Easy Steps

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