For best results, your skin care routine should be tailored to your specific skin type. If you aren't customizing your skin care routine, it's possible that the products you're using are causing your skin to become uncomfortably dry or break out. Before customizing your skin care regime, you'll want to understand your skin type.
It's easy to diagnose your own skin type by answering a few quick questions. The four most common skin types are:
Normal skin is clear and even, thanks to a balanced amount of water and oil in the skin. A person with normal/clear skin will have:
If you have clear skin, you'll still need to take care of it by using a mild cleanser daily and protecting yourself with SPF.
When cells shed too quickly, the skin can become uncomfortably dry. Your skin can also become dry temporarily due to factors such as the weather or taking a hot shower. Some signs of dry skin are:
If you have dry skin, you'll need to wash with a mild cleanser, and choose an alcohol-free moisturizer to use afterwards.
Changing hormone levels can cause oily skin. Oil is produced by the sebaceous glands. When produced in healthy amounts, oil seals in moisture, leaving the skin and hair hydrated. However, too much oil can make the skin greasy and acne-prone. Some common signs of oily skin are:
If you have oily skin, choose a skin care routine formulated to target the oils. Harsh products may cause the skin to produce more excess oil in response, so choose a gentle cleansing routine. There are many men's facial care products on the market that target excess oil without causing irritation.
Those with combination skin have areas of both oily and dry skin. People with this skin type usually have an oily "T-zone." This area crosses the forehead and comes down the nose to the chin. Outside the T-zone, skin can be dry and flaky. Some signs of combination skin are:
If you have combination skin, it's important to wash your face with a mild cleanser. You'll also want to moisturize the facial areas that need it, such as those outside the T-zone area. You may need to use different facial products depending on the weather, as combination skin tends to change often.
Ask Men Staff. (n.d). Get better skin in 5 steps. Retrieved December 24, 2009, from the AskMen Web site: http://www.askmen.com/grooming/appearance/2_get-better-skin-in-5-steps.html.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009). Dry skin. Retrieved December 24, 2009, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dry-skin/DS00560.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009). Skin care. Retrieved December 24, 2009, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-care/SN00003.
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