Identify Your Skin Type

The first step towards beautiful skin is working out what your skin type is. This is necessary so that you can work out how to care for your skin, and what products you should use.
Below are the features of the 5 main skin types which you can compare to your own skin type. Once you have decided what type your skin is you can find out the best way is to look after your skin with suitable products.

Match you skin type, and then choose the products that suit your skin type.

Normal Skin Type
Normal skin does not feel dry or oily. Pores are visible but not large or clogged. After a wash it feels smooth and comfortable. At midday it still looks fresh and clean. Only occasionally break out in spots. If you are born with normal skin, you're very lucky. Your skin is the least problematic of all skin types. However, you still have to take care and maintain your balanced, evenly textured complexion and keep it sufficiently hydrated.

Caring for Normal Skin Type:
Wash with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser every morning and night. Avoid soap, which contains harsh surfactants or lathering agents that can strip moisture from your skin. A cleanser with a milky or creamy formula is the better choice for normal skins. Massaging it into your face will give you a rosy complexion. Cool your skin with a refreshing toner.
To finish, apply moisturizer. Your daytime moisturizer should contain SPF of at least 15 to protect your skin against sun damage - prevention is always better than cure.
At night smooth a moisturizing lotion for normal skin types to boost your skin's hydration level while you're at sleep.
Selecting a moisturizer that contains a chemical exfoliant such as alpha-hydroxy acids or glycolic acids has the additional benefit of keeping your skin looking fresh by sloughing off dead skin cells.

Dry Skin Type
Dry skin has a thin and papery texture. It feels dry to touch. The pores are very fine.After a wash it feels tight, as though it is too small for the face.By midday flaky patches appear. Hardly ever break out in spots.

Caring for Dry Skin Type:
For dry skin use a creamy cleanser to melt away dirt. Leave it on your skin before sweeping it away with cotton wool. Splash cold water onto your face to clean and refresh your skin. Use a thick cream moisturiser to seal in as much moisture as possible.

Oily Skin Type
Oily skin has very active sebaceous glands which produce sebum. This has its advantages – sebum is a natural moisturizer and protects your skin from premature aging. However the downside of oily skin is seborrhoea (excessive oil production) which can lead to enlarged pores and pimple breakouts. As a result, oily skin often has a shiny and oily appearance with visible, enlarged pores that can sometimes become clogged with comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). After a wash it feels fine. By midday it looks shiny. Often break out in spots.

Caring for Oily Skin Type:
To care for oily skin you should start with a gentle, foaming facial wash. This will remove dirt and oil without stripping away moisture. Soak cotton wool in a gentle astringent lotion and sweep it over your skin to refresh and cool it. Even oily skin needs a moisturiser, but chose a light, watery fluid; this will be enough for your skin. Allow the moisturiser to sink in and then absorb the excess with a tissue to prevent shine.

Combination Skin Type
Combination skin is normal with a few dry patches and a few oily patches. Dryness is usually on the cheeks. Oiliness is usually on the T-zone. After a wash some areas feel dry and some smooth. By the midday the T-zone is shiny.Often break out in spots in the T-zone. Most women have combination skin.

Caring for Combination Skin Type:
If you have combination skin, use a foaming facial wash in the mornings to cleanse your skin. This will keep the oily areas clean to prevent blackheads. In the evening use a cream cleanser to soothe your dry areas. This will keep a balance between excess dryness and excess oiliness. Use a strong astringent for your oily areas and a mild skin freshener for the dry areas. This is not an expensive option, as you will only need a little of each. Use moisturiser on your whole face, but make sure you concentrate on your drier areas.

Sensitive Skin Type
Sensitive skin can be easily irritated. Typical reactions are itching, burning, chafing and stinging. After a wash, your skin may feels tight, dry and itchy in places. By midday there are flaky patches and some redness. Occasionally break out in spots.

Caring for Sensitive Skin Type:
Choose skin products and makeup that are hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free. Avoid choosing products with fragrances, the most common cause of sensitive skin irritation.

Choose a mild, non-soap cleanser. Soaps can be too harsh on sensitive skin.

Avoid exfoliants and cleansers containing grains or other scrubbing particles.

Watch out for additives that could be a source of potential irritants, such as chemicals, extracts, botanicals or even vitamins.

If you have trouble with adult acne, choose products that are non-acnegenic. Water-based and non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) makeup is your best bet.

Avoid products that contain dyes or other colorants, which can cause skin reactions.

Use minimal products on your face. Avoid trying too many new products all at the same time.
If you develop an itchy reaction, refrain from scratching. Use a moisturizing itch-relief product instead.