Finding the Right Products for Your Skin Type
It can be overwhelming to choose what’s right for your skin with the myriad products currently out in the market. There are also tons of beauty products marketed as “miracle” solutions which could be game-changing for some people, but maybe not for you. Not every ingredient is meant for all skin types.
In fact, using the wrong products for your skin may even cause more harm than good. As beauty writer Jenn Sinrich emphasizes in this post, the wrong products and ingredients could lead to skin breakouts, discoloration, itchiness, and irritation — everything your skincare routine should prevent. So, find out what your skin type is and make sure you pick the right products for it.
Dry Skin
Skin that produces less sebum than usual is considered dry. Due to this lack of sebum, dry skin typically lacks the lipids to retain moisture and form a protective skin barrier, which is crucial for keeping external threats at bay. Those with this skin type may notice a scaly and flaky texture on some patches of skin.
Give your skin the hydration it needs by picking out a moisturizer with ceramides, glycerin, or dimethicone like the ones featured in our past blog post.
Moreover, it’s important to know that makeup could exacerbate dryness, too. For instance, several matte and long-wear lipstick tend to dry out the lips, as NYC dermatologist Dr. Cybele Fishman points out in this report. Instead, you can opt for creamy lip conditioners or lip gloss that are much less drying. This article details how lip gloss can be moisturizing due to the emollients they contain— emollients also give them their distinct shine. Several lip gloss products use natural emollients such as seed oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil which help lock in moisture on your lips.
Oily Skin
When your skin produces excessive amounts of sebum, especially around the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), then you most likely have oily skin. This skin type often appears shiny and can be prone to developing acne.
Your main concern should be reducing the oiliness and preventing the occasional acne. According to this column on beauty ingredients, products that contain benzoyl peroxide, alpha-hydroxy (salicylic acid or glycolic acid), and hyaluronic acid work best for oily skin. These acids are antibacterial and unclog pores to discard acne bacteria, all without adding shine or oil to the skin. Additionally, these ingredients control excess sebum generation while hyaluronic acid keeps sensitive areas hydrated.
Sensitive Skin
Those with this skin type tend to have adverse reactions to chemicals, dyes, and fragrances in products. Sensitive skin is more prone to inflammation and breakouts. This makes it trickier for these skin types to find products that suit them – what works for one sensitive skin type may not work for the next.
Health and beauty editor Jon Johnson suggests trying out lotions and moisturizers that are hypoallergenic in this list of tips. He even talks about how products that use oats could be effective for sensitive skin as oats treat symptoms like rashes and dry skin while also improving the skin’s barrier. However, it’s crucial for people with sensitive skin to always test new products thoroughly and conduct patch testing before fully incorporating them into their routines.
The next time you get your beauty haul, make sure to read the fine print and check that the ingredients match your skin type’s needs.
Article specially written for the Look by Naomi Collins