How to Find Out Your Skin Type

How to Find Out Your Skin Type

The core necessity for every skin type is cleansing and moisturizing but different skin types - which include, oily, dry, normal, combination and sensitive- have different specific needs.

This is why understanding your skin type is the first step to properly caring for it. Keep reading to find out how you can figure out what type of skin you have.

1. Oily skin
Oily skin produces an excess of sebum (natural oils) that cause the skin to appear shiny and feel greasy- especially throughout the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin). A benefit of having oily skin is that it tends to have less wrinkles, according to the American Academy of Dermatology but you may be more prone to enlarged pores, blemishes, acne, blackheads and whiteheads, due to the
excessive oil clogging your pores.
Bear in mind that even though oily skin produces more natural oils, it doesn’t mean that it requires less moisture or hydration than other skin types. If you reduce moisturising your face thinking it will help control the oil, it may in fact increase oiliness as your skin will overcompensate from lack
of hydration. To care for oily skin you need to choose products that nourish and hydrate without clogging pores or triggering breakouts. Look for “non comedogenic” products which mean they have been specially formulated to avoid clogging pores. All of the products from our blemish
prone section are great for offering the skin essential hydration, white still remaining lightweight and gentle. This range contains ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree and chamomile to help heal and soothe breakouts while hydrating your skin and keeping it healthy.

2. Dry skin
Dry skin typically produces less natural oils than other types of skin. This can cause it to appear flakey, dull, rough or even scaly. It often feels tight or less elastic and is visibly less hydrated. Dry skin may be prone to showing more visible fine lines and additionally, become itchy or irritated.
To tackle dry skin, you need to opt for gentle, soothing and hydrating ingredients to help maintain the skins protective moisture barrier. Organic, alcohol-free and fragrance-free ingredients are your best bet and we have a wide selection for you to choose from. With ingredients like sesame oil, macadamia and coconut, our multiple award winning Detoxifying Geranium balm cleanser offers
deep hydration without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Use it with our Regenerating Night Cream for the evening and our Moisturising Day Cream for the daytime to reap the benefits of wrinkle reduction and skin elasticity, all while locking moisture into the skin. All of these products can be used on severely dry and sensitive skin that may suffer from rosacea or eczema.

3. Normal skin
Normal skin feels neither too dry, nor too oily. It’s not very prone to feeling tight, flakey or experiencing breakouts and feeling greasy. People with a normal skin type typically have small pores, a relatively smooth skin texture and are less prone to sensitivity or blemishes. Normal skin may sound like it doesn’t really require much care but it still needs a basic skincare routine to look
and feel its best. The ideal routine includes maintaining the skin’s hydration, locking in moisture and protecting your skin’s protective barrier. Look for hydrating natural ingredients like cocoa and vitamin E, found in our Miracle Worker face cream or plant oils like rosehip oil and sea buckthorn fruit ad seed oil found in our Rejuvenating Serum, which penetrates deeply into layers of your skin leaving it satin soft and glowing from within.

4. Combination skin
Combination skin includes areas that are dry as well as oily, the T-Zone commonly being the oily area, while the cheeks more dry. This skin type can vary throughout different seasons due to various factors like hormone fluctuation or stress. Effective cleansing and hydration are key to care for skin that’s oily in some places and dry in others. You can opt for a light moisturizer to
avoid any heavy oily feeling- our Light 24 Hour Moisturiser would work perfectly. With safflower, shea and vitamins A,C and E, this small but mighty concoction calms, protects the skin and improves texture while providing moisture all day long. Use it after our Natural Foaming Cleanser,
which lifts impurities without drying, and contains anthemis nobolis flower water to de-puff and tone the skin leaving it looking healthy and soft.

5. Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is often referred to as a skin type but it’s possible to have oily sensitive skin, dry sensitive skin, or normal sensitive skin. Regardless of the skin type you have, if you have sensitive skin, it may appear red and feel like it’s burning, itching or dry. These symptoms may be related to having skin that’s more vulnerable to irritants, fragrances or harsh chemicals and ingredients. Stick to “clean” products that contain natural ingredients, free from irritants and are safe for sensitive skin. Try our E-Natural Emollient Cream which is paraffin free and specially formulated for sensitive skin. It contains gentle but effective ingredients like chamomile oil to soothe irritation, vitamins A, D and E, potassium and phosphorus minerals for soft, moisturised skin. It’s so
effective, it’s a firm favorite amongst radiotherapy patients at The London Clinic. You can finish off your routine with a refreshing spritz of our Organic Soothing Toner, a vegan mixture of rose, geranium and glycerin to balance, sooth and calm your skin. With regular use it’ll help tighten the skin and improve the appearance of pores and wrinkles.