TYPOLOGY OF COMPLEXION

   For proper care of our skin and to prevent the onset of complications we need to know what type of skin we have. Determination of skin type may be done by a beautician and by ourselves at home.

   Here's how to find out what skin type you have:
1. Clean your skin of any impurities;
2. Wash your face with soap and water;
3. Wait 2-3 hours, during which skin restores its acidity;
4. Examine your skin as follows: apply on face a very thin tissue. In areas where fat stains remain, on tissue skin is oily. In these areas, where skin is oily, the pores are visible and the skin looks like orange peel. If on the tissue remains very slight traces of dirt, the skin is normal.
Another way to find out what your skin type is: Move a pencil (a blunt stick) pressing gently on the skin surface. If remains a reddish line your skin is sensitive, if remains a ditch your skin is normally dry and if there is any redness over drawn line your skin is oily.

 Dry Skin

Photo by Helga Weber

       You should not make confusion between dry skin due to lack of water (dehydrated skin) and dry skin due to lack of sebum (alipic skin)
        Dry skin has a matte texture, pores are small, skin is thin and
dry and it is easily desquamate. If your skin is dehydrated it lacks the elasticity and on its surface is observed fine lines.
        Sometimes you feel like your skin is tightened and it has a slight and smooth glow which indicates dehydration.

        If you have dry skin, avoid unprotected exposure to extreme temperatures, alcohol-containing lotions, creams with glycerin and removing with soap. After washing your face with water, when it is still wet, apply a soothing cream. Thus, your skin will better hydrate. Do not use creams too greasy because they can clog pores. There are commercially non-greasy nourishing creams, suitable for dry skin, which softens the skin. Choose those that have an SPF 15. Apply hydrating mask every week and drink plenty of water.
   

 Oily skin

   Oily skin is shiny, with enlarged pores and without flexibility. Sometimes presents blackheads or acne. Excess sebum generally occurs on the forehead, nose and chin. If it is not cared oily skin may get a yellowish tinge. It meets more often in brunettes people.
   Clean your skin for twice daily, preferably with products containing salicylic acid. After each cleaning apply a moisturizer with sun protection factor and oil-free. Apply once a week a suitable mask to oily skin.
   If you have very oily skin and acne-prone go to your dermatologist to prescribe a preparation of sulfur.

  Sensitive skin

   Sensitive skin can be both dry and oily, both combination and normal, both fair and dark. This type of allergic skin reactions manifested various factors: heat, cold, stress, make-ups. This type of skin has allergic reactions to various factors: heat, cold, stress, make-up etc. It reacts to almost anything. To find out if your skin is sensitive, consult your dermatologist.
   Avoid products that contain perfumes, preservatives and too many chemicals. Avoid products containing alcohol. Read the label of cosmetic products you want to buy. The words "free" and "no" are your friends: Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, dye-free, soap-free and no-greasy, no-comedogenic.

   Normal skin

   Normal skin (endemic complexion) is matte, smooth and velvety, with very little visible pores. At mature individuals it rarely meets, being specific to children.
   Normal skin should be cleaned with plain water, distilled water and in no case with calcareous or hot water. Avoid excessive use of soap. It should be neutral. It is recommended to clean the face with specific cleansing lotion for normal skin. Tonic lotion can be replaced by herbal infusion (chamomile, linden etc). Protective day cream must have an SPF15 and for evening must choosing oil-free products based on vitamin A and C and with plant extracts.

   Combination skin

   Combination skin has a shiny appearance on forehead, nose and chin and the cheeks are dry. This skin type is the most common but the most difficult to treat because you have to use different products suitable to each portion of the skin. In dry areas apply cosmetics for dry skin and on oily areas apply products for oily skin.
   Combination skin can characterize some disorders of liver, stomach or kidneys. Medical examination is recommended. Medical examination is recommended.
   People with combination skin have excess sebum both on the face and scalp. Skin care means scalp care too by washing it with medicines shampoo for oily hair and anti-dandruff. It has to be used twice a week for two months. As for oily skin, clean your skin twice daily with products containing salicylic acid and hydrate it with creams that have an SPF15.
   Once a week apply a clay mask on T-zone and a moisturizing mask on the cheeks.

  Mature skin

   Over time, your skin also suffers certain transformations, fat layer becomes thinner, muscles lose their tonicity, elastic fibers of connective tissue lose their elasticity, epidermis becomes thicker or thinner, skin changes its color and smoothness, sometimes appear brownish spots and wrinkles deepen.
   Skin which is oily in youth is more advantageous than the dry because it has a better balance of hydro-lipid and sebaceous glands keep texture and firmness of skin.
   For mature skin should be used nourishing creams to allow cells regeneration and to moisturize skin. Facial massage is also recommended.