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Finding the right clean skincare routine for your skin type is rarely as simple as you think. We all have very different skin types which means we have different skincare needs.
There are a lot of clean skincare products on the market, but how do you figure out which ones suit your unique skin the best? Well, to find your ideal clean skincare routine, you first need to figure out your skin type.
Most people fall into one of these four categories: dry skin, combination skin, oily skin, or normal skin. While some are faced with sensitive skin, a difficult skin type has its own set of needs. But, how do you know your skin’s natural state? A simple at-home skin type test can help you get a step closer to your ideal clean skincare routine.
Clean Skincare Routine Step 0: at-home skin type test
The easiest way to carry out a skin type test is by letting your skin breathe on its own. By doing this, your skin will be able to tell you what it needs.
Firstly, you want to gently cleanse your skin before bed. Use a mild cleanser, pat the skin dry, and let it do its thing while you sleep. It can be uncomfortable to leave your skin bare, but just one night without skincare products like serums, toners, or moisturizers will give you the information you need.
Upon rising the next morning, inspect your skin’s condition. Take a look at the T-zone (your forehead, nose, and chin). Check to see if there is any noticeable shine or oiliness. Look around your jawline and cheekbones for signs of dryness or flakes.
1. Dry Skin
If your skin appears matte and feels slightly tight or shows signs of flaking you have dry skin.
Characteristics of dry skin include:
1. Almost invisible pores
2. Skin less elastic
3. More visible lines
2. Normal Skin
If your skin feels comfortable and has a mild glow in the T-zone you most likely have normal skin.
Characteristics of normal skin include:
1. No severe sensitivity
2. Barely visible pores
3. A radiant complexion
3. Oily Skin
If you have oily skin you will notice an appearance of oil and shine all over the face.
Characteristics of oily skin include:
1. Enlarged pores
2. Dull or shiny, thick complexion
3. Blackheads, pimples, or other blemishes
4. Combination Skin
And combination skin is a mix of these. If your T-zone is quite shiny but the perimeter of your face is dry you have a combination skin type.
Characteristics of combination skin include:
1. More visible pores
2. More prone to pimples or other blemishes
3. Blackheads
What about Sensitive Skin?
Apart from these four main skin types, sensitive skin will likely appear red, inflamed, or irritated in one way or another. This can be difficult to manage with a simple clean beauty routine due to allergies and sensitivities to certain ingredients. A dermatologist should be able to guide you with a more personalized skincare routine if need be.
Now, once you have discovered your skin type you can move on to finding the perfect clean skincare routine.
Clean Skincare Routines for each skin type
It may sound a bit too easy but a clean skincare routine of water and oil is essential for maintaining healthy and balanced skin.
Clean skincare routine for Dry Skin
For dry skin, you want to gently cleanse and then apply a restorative serum, and a rich facial oil. The serum will target your specific skincare needs while the facial oil will hydrate the skin and help to retain moisture all day.
Clean skincare routine for Normal and Combination Skin
Normal and combination skin can often be treated similarly depending on the severity of dryness and oiliness. For normal and combination skin types you will also want to gently cleanse with water and follow up with a hydrating serum, and a lightweight facial oil.
This clean skincare routine will help your skin stay hydrated where it needs to and control excess oils in your T-zone. If you are hesitant about a facial oil or prefer the classic feel of a lotion or cream, the emulsifier-free lotion can be a great substitute.
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Clean skincare routine for Oily Skin
For oily skin, after gently cleansing follow-up with a lightweight serum. You can stop there if your skin feels comfortable, but if you experience tightness, a small amount of facial oil or a moisturizer can help keep things balanced.
With all of this, you should be able to find the perfect clean skincare routine for your skin type and should see the results you want fairly soon.
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The bottom line
Do remember that your skin is an organ. It does not stay the same throughout your entire life. So, although you may have combination skin now, next year or even next season you could develop dry skin.
If you think your current skincare routine is no longer working be sure to redo the skin type test to maintain your healthiest skin. Readjust your clean skincare routine to fit your skin type’s needs regularly for beautiful and balanced skin.