Establish a good skincare routine – Healthy Habit 7

Our healthy habits guide continues. This week’s top tip is to establish a good skincare routine. Get into the habit of looking after your skin properly with a good skincare routine and the correct products for your skin. Why do we need a skincare regime? As you get older the skin begins to produce less of its own natural oils, leaving you susceptible to wrinkles. Following a simple skin care routine, you can make sure the skin is kept moisturised to keep those wrinkles at bay. You don’t need to use expensive facial products to look after your skin. However, it is important to establish what type of skin you have and use products accordingly. Below are the five different skin types and some questions to help you identify which of these skin types you have. Establish your skin type Sensitive skin Sensitive skins can be dry, normal or oily and are characterised by their delicacy. This skin type frequently reacts adversely to environmental conditions and often requires special treatment in order to stay in good condition. Sensitive skin benefits greatly from natural skin care products and treatments. Do you ever feel a burning or stinging sensation when using any of the following: Suncreams, glycolic acid creams or renewal creams? Do you burn easily? Does your skin feel tight or itchy after cleansing? Do you have eczema? Sensitive skin will become irritated when using certain types of product. Always use products that are fragrance-free and for sensitive skin types. Dry…

Our healthy habits guide continues. This week’s top tip is to establish a good skincare routine. Get into the habit of looking after your skin properly with a good skincare routine and the correct products for your skin.

Why do we need a skincare regime?

As you get older the skin begins to produce less of its own natural oils, leaving you susceptible to wrinkles. Following a simple skin care routine, you can make sure the skin is kept moisturised to keep those wrinkles at bay. You don’t need to use expensive facial products to look after your skin. However, it is important to establish what type of skin you have and use products accordingly. Below are the five different skin types and some questions to help you identify which of these skin types you have.

Establish your skin type

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skins can be dry, normal or oily and are characterised by their delicacy. This skin type frequently reacts adversely to environmental conditions and often requires special treatment in order to stay in good condition. Sensitive skin benefits greatly from natural skin care products and treatments.

  • Do you ever feel a burning or stinging sensation when using any of the following: Suncreams, glycolic acid creams or renewal creams?
  • Do you burn easily?
  • Does your skin feel tight or itchy after cleansing?
  • Do you have eczema?

Sensitive skin will become irritated when using certain types of product. Always use products that are fragrance-free and for sensitive skin types.

Dry skin

Caused by under or inactive oil glands that do not produce enough sebum to keep the skin naturally hydrated. It usually has a dull appearance, feels dry and itchy and is sometimes sensitive. Dry skin must be hydrated regularly from the inside (drinking water) and outside with rich hydrating creams or lotions

  • Do you have patches of flaking skin?
  • Does your skin often feel tight or stretched especially after washing?
  • Is your skin often sensitive for periods to certain creams?

People with dry skin should avoid using harsh soaps to prevent further loss of natural oils. Air conditioning and sun exposure can also exacerbate dry skin types.

Normal skin

Normal skin produces sebum at a moderate rate, resulting in a balanced state. It looks consistently plump, moist and vibrant. Lucky you. Don’t forget to look after your skin though as it will still see the benefits of a good skin care regime.

  • Your skin is balanced, not too oily or dry?
  • Generally even skin tone?

Oily skin

Oily skin is caused by glands that produce too much sebum, resulting in skin that appears shiny and has large open pores. An oily skin type is prone to develop comedones (blackheads) and acne. Despite these drawbacks, oily skin generally remains younger looking and more supple over time than other skin types. Oily skin benefits hugely from microdermabrasion with the application of light moisturisers.

  • Does your forehead often look shiny?
  • Do you have a tendency to get spots or blackheads?
  • Are you prone to sebaceous hyperplasia (yellow or white bumps under the skin)?
  • Pores are larger and more visible

Combination skin

Combination skin is the most common skin type characterised by an oily T-Zone. Use products specifically for combination skin or treat the areas separately using oily skin products only on the T-Zone.

  • Do you have an oily T-Zone? (forehead, chin and nose area)
  • Do you have normal or dry skin on the cheeks, mouth and neck area?

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