What’s your skin type??

So ladies, here’s the dealie…Skin types (dry, sensitive, normal, combination or oily) are what we’re born with – It’s pre-determined… it’s in our genes… so we’re pretty much stuck with it.

However, external factors like the weather, pollution & even what we eat can definitely play a factor in changing our skins’ behaviour every once in a while – I call these moody, erratic, sporadic behaviors “skin personalities”! ~ Tune in to my next post where I’ll delve deeper & discuss skin personalities in more detail ~

Now, when looking for the right products, the first thing you want to address is your skin type.

You can follow this simple at-home test to find out what skin type you have…

Step 1:

Wash your face with a sulfate-free cleanser

~ tid bit ~ Sulfates strip the natural moisture barrier of the skin so it’s crucial to use a sulfate-free cleanser if you want to get an accurate answer ;)…

* For now, a cheap find is spectro gel or complex 15… but I’ll be reviewing cleansers in the next little while, you won’t wanna miss *

Step 2:

Air dry or pat your face dry with a towel & wait about 10 to 15 minutes

Step 3:

Blot your face with oil blotting sheets (use a separate blotter for your cheeks & another one for your t-zone – which is your nose/chin/forehead)

o Ones to try: Clean&Clear oil absorbing sheets ($7), Tatcha Japanese blotting papers with gold leaf ($12) or M.A.C. blot film ($16)

So, what’s the verdict? (striking gavel..) If you have…

Normal Skin…

You may see a slight hint of oil (mainly from the t-zone blotter) but your face feels comfty, not tight or tingly. This is definitely the type of skin we all wish we had! It has good elasticity, it’s soft to the touch and has small to medium sized pores. It’s almost always flawless too…lucky ducks!

Up next…you’ll know if you have Oily Skin…

Because both blotters will likely be see-through by the time you’ve finished blotting your entire face. (Eeww! in valley girl voice) Oily skin is a bit thicker than normal skin and is slightly firmer to the touch. It normally looks shiny with more visible pores.

Oily skin is mostly common amongst teenagers because of hormonal changes during those pesky pre adolescent years! I’ve been there and it wasn’t fun attall!

I know, it may sound sucky, but believe me, you’ll thank your oily skin when you hit your 40’s & 50’s since it’s usually wrinkle free up until senior years.

If you have Dry Skin…

Your blotters will have virtually no oil. Your skin will likely feel tight, slightly itchy and may have skin flaking off.  Not a comfty feel ;(

Combination Skin…

Is your bipolar enemy – one part may be dry while another is oily. Your t-zone blotter will probably be pretty oily, while your cheeks blotter will be somewhat normal or even dry. This one’s a toughy to tackle due to its split personality!

Last but not least…Sensitive Skin…

Your blotters will either be dry or kinda oily but very minimal. More than likely, your skin feels uncomfortable, looks red around the cheek areas or all over. But no worries, there are lots of options out there! *You may also visit a spa to get your skin analyzed by a professional esthetician if you feel that you need a more accurate answer. Many places offer a free consultation for skin analysis on your first time visit .

In my upcoming articles, I will review a few good cleansers that target various skin types…so hold tight!  Tune into my ~next post to find out more about skin personalities