Oftentimes it’s so confusing buying skin products if you don’t know what type of skin you have! And treating your skin with the wrong products certainly won’t do it any favours!

There are 5 basic skin types.

1. oily

2. sensitive

3. dry

4. normal

5. combination

1. Oily.

This skin type often looks shiny, and people with oily skin tend to have larger and more visible pores. The good thing about oily skin is that because your oil-producing sebaceous glands are so active, you have extra moisture in your skin so you won’t age as fast. Your skin might be prone however to blackheads and spots.

2. Sensitive

Sensitive skin is easily irritated and can at times look blotchy. One needs to be ultra careful on selecting products for ones skin if you have sensitive skin, as it is often allergic to products and can easily get itchy or swell up. You will often have light coloured skin if you fall into this category.

3. Dry

Although ones skin does tend to get drier as we age, anyone can have dry skin, or even go through stages when they do have dry skin. Pores are very fine, and skin could feel rough or flaky. Wind, heaters, air conditioners and sun can all aggravate a dry skin.

4. Normal

This is the best skin type to have as it is neither too oily nor too dry. Pores will be almost invisible, and you will not often suffer from spot or blackheads. You can use almost any products and your skin doesn’t mind. Skin will feel smooth and soft.

5. Combination

When women don’t know what skin type they have they usually say ‘combination’ Your skin is normal but oily in the ‘T’ panel which is your nose, forehead and chin.

Ok, can’t decide which category you fall into?

Then do this quiz!

1. How does your skin feel after you’ve cleaned it?

a) tight

b) slightly shiny

c) smooth and soft

d) slightly oily feel to ‘T’ zone but fine everywhere else

e) irritated or blotchy

2. What does your skin feel like when you haven’t moisturised?

a) Dry and tight

b) Shiny

c) Normal’ish

d) Oily on ‘T’ panel but fine everywhere else.

e) Irritated and sensitive

3. How visible are your pores?

a) nearly invisible

b) very visible

c) only visible when looking up close

d) only visible on ‘T’ zone

e) hard to say

4. Does your diet affect your skin?

a) alcohol makes my skin dehydrated/drier

b) when I eat junk my skin gets oily

c) nope! I can eat what I like

d) when I’m eating badly it only affects my ‘T’ zone which gets oily

e) peri peri or spicy foods kill my skin

How did you score?

Mostly A’s – Dry skin

Mostly B’s – Oily skin

Mostly C’s – Normal skin

Mostly D’s – Combination skin

Mostly E’s – Sensitive skin

Why not analyse your skin over a week long period using this quiz? And be sure to always buy skin products and makeup products to suit your skin type. Even the makeup foundation you buy should be according to your specific skin type for optimal results.

Article by: Donna Hay www.thebeautybulletin.com