Skin Care

Different types of skin have to be taken care of in a different manner and products should be used accordingly. You! takes a look at different skin types so you can identify whether your skin is dry, oily, sensitive, normal or combination...

Having good skin is the ultimate strategy for you to appear your best at all times, but all the busy working women who live a hectic lifestyle find very little time on their hands for pampering themselves. There are, however, some easy and speedy tricks to help you take care of your skin. First you need to understand your skin type so you know what products to use and how to combat any problems that may arise. Read on to identify your skin type and see how you can look after it.

Dry skin

If your skin is dry it is prone to flakiness and does not feel comfortable till you have applied a good moisturiser. This happens because dry skin has an inability to retain moisture. Its dryness is exacerbated by the wind, extremes of temperature and air-conditioning. This type of skin has to be carefully dealt with and taken care of as it is prone to premature ageing.

What to do

* Don't use tap water or soap on your skin as they are too dry. Use a rich cold cream to cleanse instead.

* Massage with moisturising oil or serum every night to help stimulate sebaceous glands into producing more oil. Sebaceous glands are microscopic glands in the skin which secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate the skin and hair.

* Be generous with eye cream in the areas surrounding the eyes, where tiny lines can begin to form.

Normal skin

This type of skin has an even tone and a soft, smooth texture with no visible pores or blemishes, greasy patches or flaky areas. This type of skin is neither greasy nor dry. Girls with this skin type may get some odd pimples at times just before they menstruate, due to increased hormonal activity but the pimples soon clear up. However, this type of skin still needs to be cared for and neglecting it can lead to signs of premature ageing and wrinkling.

What to do

* The only care this type of skin requires is cleansing twice a day with water and a gentle face wash, and toning with something mild, such as rose water.

* Use a light moisturiser with an SPF of at least 15 every day to keep your skin protected from the UV rays.

* Boost circulation and smooth the surface of the skin with a tightening or moisturising face mask once a week.

Sensitive skin 

Women with sensitive skin have a thin and fine-textured. It reacts quickly to both heat and cold, which means it is prone to dryness and sunburn. Since the skin is so delicate it may suffer from allergic reactions. Certain detergents and cosmetics can cause irritation, leaving the skin red and blotchy.

What to do

* Apply a sunscreen everyday to protect the skin from environmental damage. Select one that is designed for sensitive skin and has SPF 30.

* Choose products that are free from perfume, colour and other possible allergens. Women with specific allergies should always check the ingredients. Look for the word 'hypoallergenic' on the bottle.

* Wash with light cleansing milk that can be removed with cotton, as water can be irritating to the skin.

* If you book a facial with a therapist be sure to mention that you have sensitive skin and mention products that have previously caused reactions to the skin.

Oily skin

People with oily skin have a texture that is shiny with large pores and is prone to blackheads and pimples. In this type of skin, the sebaceous glands are overactive and produce more oil than required. This can be hereditary and may be made worse by pregnancy, taking certain contraceptives pills, or high levels of stress - all of which trigger more oil production. On the positive side, however, the great advantage of oily skin is that it ages at a slower rate as compared to other skin types. 

What to do 

* Oily skin needs gentle cleansing with soap or a foaming wash to remove surface oil. But avoid harsh products that strip your skin of oil because this simply causes the oil glands to work overtime to compensate for the loss of natural oils.

* Use oil-free moisturisers to maintain a shine free complexion.

* Use a deep-cleansing clay based mask once or twice a week to help prevent blackheads.

* Choose cosmetics and skin care products that are specifically designed for oily skin and says 'noncomedogenic' on the bottle, as this means that the cosmetics have been tested to make sure they don't block pores and trigger the formation of blemishes.

* Don't avoid sunscreen for fear of adding too much oil to your skin as you will regret the sun damage in the future. Simply choose a light gel or lotion that is specifically designed for such type of skin.

Combination skin

This type of skin is a combination of both oily and dry. It has a greasy, T-shaped panel consisting of the nose, forehead and chin, but the areas around the eyes are prone to dryness. This type of skin is very common and it should be treated as if it is of two different types of skin.

What to do

* Use a light cleansing lotion that is moisturising enough to soothe the cheek, but is also effective in removing the T-zone.

* Use a mild astringent toner on the T-zone, avoiding the cheeks. 

* Apply a light moisturiser to the cheeks only and use an eye cream to prevent fine lines.