There are so many different products and brands on the market which can make it quite challenging to know what is best for your skin and which products to go for. Here is a blog that will help you identify easier what type of skin you have. You could always see a dermatologist or check out reviews when purchasing online to see how products have helped others.
The most common skin types are:
- Normal
- Dry Skin
- Oily Skin
- Combination
You may also find you have characteristics of more than one skin type, this is very common, for example you could have normal/oily skin or normal/dry for example.
The most common conditions are:
- Sensitivity
- Mature characteristics
- Couperose
- Acne
What to look for when analysing your skin
Normal Skin:
- Skin looks clear, soft and supple to touch
- Has an even skin tone, very few blocked pores or spots
- Isn’t tight or greasy in feel and touch
- High amount of elasticity
- Pores are normal on cheeks and t-zone.
- The epidermis is usually a normal thickness
Dry Skin:
- Fine lines, wrinkles and broken capillaries are usually present
- Underactive sebaceous glands
- Hardly any spots or blocked pores, pores are almost invisible
- The epidermis is usually thin
- Skin can look dry and flaky and can look paler in colour
- The skin tightens when washing with water
Oily Skin:
- Skin feels oily to touch this is due to the overactive sebaceous gland
- Open pores, especially the t-zone
- Shiny appearance, enlarged pores and spots can be present
- Thicker epidermis
Skin Conditions
Sensitive Skin:
- Thin epidermis – translucent appearance
- Dilated capillaries, redness present or itchiness
- Flaky, dry patches
What can cause sensitive skin?
There are many factors involved when it comes to skin conditions and something which may trigger sensitive skin are cosmetic products – in particular the preservatives, perfumes/fragrances.
This is why we decided to make the majority of Lucy Bee products fragrance free where possible. Our Cleanser, Face Cream and Tonic are all fragrance free and you will see on the bottle and packaging it says unscented.
Other things to take note of are spicy foods, alcohol, sun, heat (such as saunas), and your genetics.
Credit to David Loftus
Dehydrated Skin:
- Lack of sufficient moisture in the cells of the epidermis
- Appears dry, scaly, tight and dehydrated.
What can cause dehydration?
There are many factors involved when it comes to dehydrated skin. Some things to be aware of are:
- Lack of sebum
- Not drinking enough water to stay hydrated
- Using the wrong skincare products
- Environmental factors
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Medication
- The menopause
- Illnesses
- Ageing
If you feel your skin is dehydrated then take into consideration central heating, air conditions, weather conditions and traveling as these can all have an effect.
Couperose:
- Redness and sensitivity
- Covers the cheeks and nose
- Rough to touch
- Usually broken capillaries
- It can feel warm or hot to touch
Acne:
This is an inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands. Anyone can suffer from acne from puberty through to menopause.
At puberty there is an increase in hormones, and testosterone and progesterone influence the production of the sebum and cell activity.
It can also be in your genetics and daily impacts such as cosmetic products, diet, stress, and medication can all affect acne.
Mature Skin:
Did you know? Mature skin isn’t a skin type, but the skin starts to show signs of ageing from the age of 25 years old. Some 25-year olds can mature very early, but on the other hand someone who is 40 could still have excellent skin. It is really down to genetics, but you can also help your skin with products and different facial treatments.
Collagen and elastin:
As we age the fibres in the dermis become weaker. Their replacement rate is slower. With the reduction in collagen it leads to loss of firmness – sagging, wrinkles, poor skin tension and tension and elasticity.
When we are young, our elastin and collagen production is great which is why you will not see wrinkles or fine lines, if you frown it will bounce back straight away. When we get older this starts to slow down, frown lines will stay present, or when you wake up in the morning you may notice lines that no longer disappear as the morning goes on.
Lucy, CIBTAC accredited beauty therapist.
About Lucy Bee Limited
Any information provided by us is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. We always recommend referring your health queries to a qualified medical practitioner.
Lucy Bee is a lifestyle brand selling food, skincare and soap products all completely free from palm oil and with minimal use of plastic. Lucy Bee is concerned with Fair Trade, organic, ethical and sustainable living, recycling and empowering people to make informed choices and select quality, natural products for their food and their skin.