lovesoulSkin Types & Skin Conditions
Skin Types vs. Skin Conditions
Skin Types: Predetermined by your genes – you are born with it. Your skin type could be oily, dry, normal or a combination of the first three.
Skin Conditions: Influenced by internal and external factors. Internal factors are things like lifestyle, diet, stress, hormones, the natural ageing process. External factors are climate, environmental, and your skin care routine.
Which Skin Type Are You?
Look at the skin types and skin conditions below, each with a short description of what they might look like. Choose one which suits you best, then go to our advice articles relating to that skin type or condition. You can also come straight in for a skin consultation and we’ll figure it out for you!
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Sensitive Skin
“My skin is sensitive most (or all) of the time. When using certain skin care products, my skin reacts! It will go pink, red, break out in rashes, or become itchy. I have to be careful of the skin care products I use, or I don’t use anything on my skin in case it makes it worse.”
Sometimes caused by genetics as well as a number of different (usually unavoidable) environmental influences. Can also be caused by the owner of the skin; using harsh or too strong products, eating “heating” foods, not having a good digestion (gut health!), stress and other lifestyle factors. Having a dehydrated skin will make this condition worse.
Rosacea
“I have rosacea (or have been told I do). My skin fluctuates from pink to bright red, especially on my forehead, nose, cheeks, or chin. I haven’t found a skin care product that has resolved the redness. Occasionally, my skin flares up and breaks out with pustules or lumps under my skin. It makes me feel embarrassed to have skin like this.”
Diet and gut health have a major influence in this; some foods can worsen the symptoms, such as dairy products and “heating” foods. Will also be influenced by environmental extremes. The exact causes of rosacea are not known. Demodex folliculorum (a microscopic mite) may also influence rosacea, however it’s unclear if an overpopulation of this mite on the skin is a symptom or cause.
Eczema
“My skin is sometimes (or always) itchy. These itchy patches are on my face, around my eyelids, on the inside of my arms, or behind my knees. The itch drives me crazy! The texture of the skin gets rough and dry (sometimes flaky), and it often looks red and angry. If it gets really bad, my skin can split and along with the itch – it hurts! I may have also used hydrocortisone cream at some stage.“
Caused by some genetic factors, but predominantly caused by diet and stress. Gut health (and often gluten and “heating” foods) have known to make eczema much worse. Some will experience a flare up at time of extreme stress. Eczema will also be influenced by external factors such as foaming soaps, chemicals (chlorinated swimming pools, hair shampoo!) and heat (climate, spa pools, and heavy blankets).
Perioral Dermatitis
“In addition to my skin type and other skin conditions, I also occasionally get this red rash and red spots around my mouth and corners of the nose. It feels bumpy or scaly. It looks inflamed or red, and similar to acne and sensitivity. Sometimes it’s itchy and/or tight.”
No underlying condition, but factors may include: hormonal changes and birth control pills; dehydrated, sensitised skin; bacteria on the skin causing irritation or an allergic reaction; strong wind or UV light. Some researchers feel it is caused by using steroid creams on the face – where you can, we recommend you avoid these too! Lifestyle and diet factors, with a dedicated skin care routine can help with this condition.
Acne
“My skin is congested and covered in pustules, pimples or blackheads – maybe all three! It looks angry and red, and some of these spots hurt! Sometimes they are so deep, there’s nothing to squeeze. I try to make sure my skin is clean, but the acne makes it feel dirty. I also have uneven texture where the acne scars are. I’m so embarrassed to show my face like this!”
Being genetically prone can be a factor, though most commonly it is hormones changes or imbalances, stress, diet (eating too many “heating” or “congesting” foods) and environmental factors that result in a blemish-prone skin. The skin becomes congested and breakouts occur when the area surrounding your hair follicles become stuck with oil and dead skin cells.
Dry Skin
“My skin is dry, tight and flaky. It’s seems dull, and can have rough patches. It never seems to absorb enough moisturiser no matter how much (or how often) I put on. It dries out really easily during the day, and sometimes looks red – and maybe a little tight. I have more wrinkles & lines, I look older than I feel I should. My makeup also looks patchy because it catches on the dry skin.”
Caused by genetic factors, but could instead be an incorrect skin care regimes and good quality oils and other nutrients missing from your diet. Dehydrated skin is common alongside dry skin; the skin struggles with both secreting oil and retaining water/moisture.
Oily Skin
“My skin is oily and could be prone to blemishes. My pores look large, especially across my forehead, nose and chin. It might start out feeling fine in the morning, but later in the day its really greasy or shiny! My makeup and products seem to just sit on the top of my skin without soaking in and it feels horrible. I don’t like using moisturisers, they feel too heavy – but I almost always make sure I cleanse.”
Generally caused by genetics and hormones but could instead be an incorrect skin care regimes. Using harsh cleansers and over doing it is one of the most common factors, along with dehydrated skin. Oil glands are overactive; cleansing too much and moisturising too little signals to the oil glands to produce more oil.
Pigmentation
“I have so many freckles or patches of darker skin. It may have happened around the time I was pregnant, or it may have happened by spending too much time unprotected under the sun. I wish my skin tone was even.”
A sun-damaged skin is the toughest skin condition to improve. Pigmentation can be caused by your genetic predisposition as well as hormonal changes, and it can also be made worse by exposure to the sun! UV light causes melanin to overproduce in places – this is the molecule responsible for your skin’s colour.
Ageing Skin
“The wrinkles and fine lines on my skin are getting worse. I’m worried about ageing too fast. I’m [AGE] but I feel 10+ years older! It’s also on the dry side of the spectrum. I try to take good care of my skin, but I don’t know what else to do!”
Ageing is a natural process. It means the skin will get thinner and start to struggle to retain moisture, causing wrinkles and fine lines. Pre-mature ageing (or ageing before your time) can be caused by high exposure to the sun and it’s damaging effects, lack of good skin care, and other diet and lifestyle factors (including smoking for example). A dehydrated skin will age much faster than a healthy, hydrated skin – as it causes imbalances and under active enzymes in the skin.
Dehydrated Skin
“My skin feels tight – especially after a cleanser. It’s dull, tired or uneven in skin tone. My skin may go red, tingle or sting after products are first applied. It’s slow to heal, and I look like I’m ageing too fast! My pores look large, sometimes it might feel really oily, other times it might feel really dry. It’s also sensitive, or prone to breakouts that just don’t go away! “
When your skin can’t retain moisture, causing a total imbalance in your skin (giving extremes from dry to oily skins). The most common skin condition, and almost always plays a part in all other skin conditions. Will be majorly influenced by an incorrect skin regime and/or lack of water in the skin (not enough Skin Soaking or not enough drinking water!). Once dehydrated, your skin is further compromised very easily – hence other skin conditions appearing.
Healthy, Hydrated Skin
“My skin has a smooth texture, without congestion. It’s even in colour, with refined, soft pores. It heals and renews at a steady rate. I look my age, or younger. My skin is slightly ‘tacky’ or ‘damp’, but cool to touch. Best of all, my skin GLOWS!”
Achieved alongside a healthy diet, healthy digestion and a dedicated skin care routine. Other lifestyle factors that influence this are exercise, getting good sleep and managing stress. However, let’s not forget our Skin Soaking – your skin won’t glow without this crucial step! (If you’re in this category, well done for being in the habit & maintenance stages – keep it up!)
Concerned With Something Else?
“My skin fits into one of these categories, but there’s something else I am more concerned about.”
The best thing to do here is to get in touch with us and book a Skin Consultation!