Before using Korean Skincare Products, you should first know your skin type. This way, you’ll understand what skin problem you should address.
Determining your skin type is very easy. Once you know how to determine your skin type, choosing which skincare products that fit your skin best becomes easier.
What are the Different Skin Types?
Oily Skin
People who have an oily skin type produce too much oil, which results in an unlikeable greasy and shiny appearance. People with oily skin have larger pores as compared to others.
Oils are the culprit for the acne, pimple, whiteheads and blackhead formation in your face. Together with dead skin cells and dirt, oil blocks your pores, which will result in clogged pores. Clogged pores will get irritated and turn into acne, pimple, whiteheads, or blackhead.
People with oily skin are more prone to getting post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or what we call acne scars and dark spots. This is where pimples and acne leave unwanted dark spots on your skin.
People with oily skin should avoid moisturizers and thick creams as it will only make your skin greasier.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should completely delete moisturizers out of your routines you have oily skin. Use other moisturizers that are not thick and heavy. Choose the ones that are just as hydrating as thick creams but not as heavy.
Dry Skin
Contrasting to people with oily skin, people who have dry skin produce less oil than an average person does. Having a low production of skin oil is a bad thing. Oils lock in the moisture and hydration on your skin, without it, you will lose moisture faster than an average person. As a result, your skin will be dry and tight. Some will even experience having dry patches and flaky skin.
Dry skin is most likely caused by hormonal changes, diet, climate, or lifestyle. If you have dry skin, drink a lot of water to make up for the water loss. Aside from that, you should also avoid consuming diuretics or products that increase your urine passing, such as caffeine and alcohol.
The products you should use on your skin should ideally be able to attract water. These are hyaluronic acid and marine actives like algae. Aside from attracting water, it also delivers it to your skin cells evenly and effectively.
Sensitive Skin
People who have sensitive skin often experience skin irritation and itching whenever they use specific skincare products, cosmetics, and toiletries than any other person does. People with this skin type find it hard to search for cosmetics, beauty products, and skincare products that will perfectly fit their skin.
People with this skin type makes a lot of trial and error before they can finally say that a certain skincare product or cosmetic is deemed safe for use. If you have sensitive skin, you should look at the ingredients used on every skincare product before using it.
It shouldn’t have the following:
- Diethanolamine or DEA
- Sulfate detergent such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Phthalates
- Urea
- Parabens
- Synthetic Fragrance
- Mineral Oil
The mentioned products can induce irritation, redness, and itchiness. So instead of making your skin smooth and healthy, it only irritates it.
Conduct a patch test first before using any other skincare products. To do this, apply a small amount of the new product on your inner forearm. If it causes inflammation or any unwanted skin reactions, don’t use it. If it doesn’t, the product is safe for use.
You don’t have to go through tests to know if you have sensitive skin. If you experience itchiness and irritation on your skin whenever you’re using some products, you should already know that your skin is sensitive.
Combination Skin
These are the people who have oily skin in some areas (most notably on the T-Zone: forehead, chin, and your nose line) and dry patches on other parts.
Because it’s a combination of both dry and oily skin, double-checking the skincare products you use is a must. Use moisturizers that are not very heavy on your skin, but can lock in the hydration you need, enough to make your skin healthy.
Aside from that, exfoliators should be gentle, so the oily area and dry area of the skin will be well balanced.
Make sure that you’re not over-hydrating your skin so your skin will not be stressed out, and call forth the unwanted pimples and dry patches.
How to Determine Your Skin type?
Technique No. 1: Use the Blotting Sheet Method
Step 1: Get a blotting paper and gently pat it on the different parts of your face
Step 2: Check the sheet.
Dry Skin: little to no oil
Oily Skin: Oily skin is apparent on your entire face
Combination Skin: Oils are mostly on your forehead and nose area and not on the other parts of your face
Technique No. 2: Use the Bare-Faced Method
Step 1: Clean your face thoroughly using a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
Step 2: Leave your skin bare for 30 minutes (don’t apply any products, just leave it bare)
Step 3: Check the skin on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead for any shine.
Step 4: Leave it again for 30 minutes
Step 5: Evaluate your skin.
Dry Skin: If your skin all over your face feels tight and parched, especially when you smile.
Oily Skin: If there’s a shine on your forehead, cheeks, and nose
Combination Skin: If you have a noticeable shine on your forehead and nose while your cheeks and other parts of your skin remains dry
Takeaways
Before you should start using any skincare products, you have to know what your skin type is so you’ll understand which skin problems you should address. There are 2 easy ways to determine your skintype. What do you think is your skin type?