What is your skin type? More importantly,  how do you you figure that out?

You’ve heard about dry, normal, oily and even combination skin, but which one is yours? Your skin can also change over time, due to age, environment, genetics, and even simple life changes.

What’s the difference between them all? What determines your skin type? Glad you asked!

• Your skin type is determined by how much, or how little oil your skin produces.
• Genes, diet, stress level, hormonal fluctuations, medications, and your skincare regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces.
• You may find that your skin type changes frequently from dry to oily to normal, all in the course of months. This is normal. Women are especially prone to changes throughout life because our hormones are continually shifting
• How much water is in your skin, which affects its comfort and elasticity
• How oily it is, which affects its softness
• How sensitive it is

An Easy Way to Test Your Skin Type

There is an easy way to tell what skin type you have. To do this, wash your face, pat it dry, then take a few pieces of rice paper or lens-cleaning tissue paper and press it on different spots on your face.

If your skin is oily, the paper will stick, pick up oily spots, and become translucent. If the paper doesn't stick or pick up any oils, your skin is dry. If it sticks only in your T-zone (forehead and down your nose to your chin), then you have combination (or normal) skin. Most women have combination skin.

Let’s Talk About the Different Skin Types

Oily Skin

Oily skin is generally - shiny skin, especially in the T-zone. You may have enlarged pores and may be prone to blackheads and breakouts due to overproduction of the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands.

The good thing about oily skin is that it ages better than dry skin.

That's because the oils keep the skin plump and this allows fewer wrinkles to form. Oily skin is common in young women but as they age, many find that their skin becomes drier, especially after age 35.

To take care of your skin:

• Wash with a cleanser formulated for oily skin before you go to bed. https://www.mybutterbar.com/collections/face-cleansers/products/new-white-ginger-rooibos-tea-oil-balancing-cleanser
• Exfoliate twice weekly with a gentle scrub. https://www.mybutterbar.com/collections/facial-scrubs/products/brown-sugar-tea-tree-peppermint-acne-fighting-facial-scrub
• Use light, rather than heavy moisturizers. https://www.mybutterbar.com/collections/facial-moisturizer/products/white-ginger-rooibos-tea-bamboo-oil-balancing-moisturizer

Combination/Normal Skin

Most women have combination or "normal" skin. Combination skin means you may have a slightly oily T-zone with drier cheeks and patches of dry spots here and there. You may also have larger pores on your cheeks and possibly your forehead.

This skin type has medium pores, a smooth and even texture, good circulation, and a healthy color.

To take care of your skin, you may need to treat the T-zone in a different manner than your drier spots.

• If your T-zone tends to be oily, try an astringent on those areas only after you've washed your face. https://www.mybutterbar.com/products/flawless-facial-apple-honey-and-green-tea-face-toner
• Make sure to exfoliate twice weekly using a facial scrub to remove any dead skin cells. https://www.mybutterbar.com/collections/facial-scrubs/products/brown-sugar-with-honey-acne-fighting-facial-scrub
• It's okay to use a heavier facial moisturizer on your dry spots as needed.

Dry Skin

Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing. You may notice that your skin becomes drier the older you get. This skin fluctuation can be attributed to hormones.

With dry skin, your skin may peel or become flaky.

Dry skin requires special care:

• Try creamy cleansers and moisturizers formulated for dry skin. https://www.mybutterbar.com/collections/face-cleansers/products/new-pink-grapefruit-and-coconut-water-daily-moisturizing-cleanser-dry-skin
• Exfoliate weekly to remove dead skin cells. https://www.mybutterbar.com/collections/facial-scrubs/products/pink-grapefruit-watermelon-hydrating-scrub

• If you live in a dry environment, use a humidifier in your office and bedroom to keep the skin from drying out.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin types may exhibit the characteristics of dry skin, oily skin, or combination skin, but they also deal with a great amount of redness and irritation.  Those with sensitive skin types should avoid harsh chemical-based skin care treatments. Sensitive skin can be caused by other skin conditions like rosacea or allergies. Sensitive skin is easily inflamed, so it’s important to choose the right natural skin care for sensitive skin to avoid any adverse reactions

Finding the right cleansers and moisturizers for your skin type may be a little tricky. We have just what you need specifically for your sensitive skin. We offer a line of skin care products that will soothe your skin and give it that much needed break.  https://www.mybutterbar.com/collections/sensitive-skin

Source references:

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/whats-your-skin-type#1/

https://www.liveabout.com/skin-care-how-to-tell-what-type-of-skin-you-have-346983

https://www.bioclarity.com/pages/skin-type