Men's Skin Care: How To Figure Out Your Skin Type
Are you ready to start taking better care of your skin?
Then you're in the right place. But before you can create a skincare routine you need to identify your skin type.
This will ensure that you use suitable skincare products. This means products formulated for your skin type and conditions. Using unsuitable skincare products (especially if you have oily or sensitive skin) can exacerbate certain skin conditions like acne, eczema, or other dermatitis-related issues.
After figuring out your skin type, you have to pay close attention to the ingredients before buying any skincare product. It is also important to take into consideration which skin problems you are fighting against. For acne-prone skin, it is advised to use products containing goat milk, vitamin C, tea tree oil, and niacinamide.
For instance, unscented goat milk soaps can help deep cleanse the skin and reduce irritations without damaging the natural skin barrier. Lavender soaps fight against inflammation. All in all, it is essential to find out your skin type, before diving into skincare products.
If you haven't already, go read up on these 3 basic skincare tips for men. Because it's surprisingly easy to look after your skin when you understand how it works.
Table of contents
MEN'S SKIN TYPE GUIDE
Below are the symptoms and characteristics of the 5 different skin types. And the common conditions that occur with those skin types. You don't have to experience every one of them to identify as that skin type.
Normal Skin Type
firm & supple
rarely experience breakouts/bad reactions
balanced skin –neither dry/oily
texture is soft
skin tone is even
If you have normal skin, then you won the skin type lotto!
Your skin is very balanced —meaning the moisture content is just right, skin doesn't feel dry and tight after washing, and it doesn't get too oily/shiny either.
You rarely experience breakouts, bad reactions to new products or skin conditions such as dehydration, eczema or acne. So, buying skincare is pretty easy for you.
Dry Skin Type
*Common skin conditions - dehydration + eczema/dermatitis
skin lacks oil (sebum)
texture can be rough, flakey with sensitive patches
skin can feel dry & tight after washing
fine lines/wrinkles around eyes & mouth
Your skin texture can be rough, and flakey. Especially during winter.
Bad Skincare Products for Dry Skin
The use of bad skincare products like face washes containing harsh surfactants and alcohols strip the natural oils from your skin. Leaving it extremely dry, tight, and will eventually dehydrate.
If you have this skin type, over time the use of these products damages the skin barrier. This will trigger a whole range of skin problems from premature aging to eczema or other dermatitis-related skin conditions.
The Difference Between Dry & Dehydrated Skin
Knowing if your skin is dry or dehydrated is important but can be confusing to figure out.
Basically dry refers to a skin type, and dehydrated refers to a skin condition. They have very similar symptoms but one big difference; dehydrated skin lacks water, while dry skin lacks oil.
All skin types can suffer from dehydration, but it's especially common in dry and sensitive types.
Oily Skin Type
Common skin condition - acne
soft, supple & shiny
larger pores than other skin types
blocked pores lead to breakouts/acne
good moisture content
less wrinkles
Your skin is soft and supple due to an excess in oil production. On the upside, this means generally less wrinkles than other types and less environmental damage.
Acne
On the downside, breakouts and acne are a common skin condition due to a combination of pore size and excess oil. Pores are very easily blocked leading to breakouts, or worse, acne.
Comedogenic
A common word in skincare when it comes to acne is 'comedogenic'. Which basically means 'pore blocking'... ‘comedo’ or ‘comedone’ is the earliest form of acne.
So, if a skincare product/ingredient is comedogenic, that means that it has a tendency to clog pores and potentially lead to acne.
Therefore, non-comedogenic products are the ones you want. They contain 'non-pore clogging' and won't break you out!
Combination Skin Type
Common skin conditions - acne & dehydration
oily t-zone
dry in other areas
breakouts/acne in t-zone
If you're confused about your skin type, it could be combination. The complicated skin type.
Basically, it means certain areas of your face —the t-zone area (forehead, nose, and chin), produce more oil than other areas like the cheeks, eyes, and neck.
So, if you feel like parts of your skin are extremely oily and others very dry, then you fit the description of combination skin.
This skin type can suffer from dehydration, as well as acne or breakouts in the t-zone.
The key to looking after your skin is to choose hydrating and balancing products. Isolate problem areas. Use non-comedogenic (non-pore blocking) skincare on t-zone, and treat dry areas with separate, more moisturizing products.
I know, it sounds like a lot, and I'm not gonna lie, this skin type is a little high maintenance.
But don't feel like you drew the skin-type short straw, because once you create a suitable skincare routine you can easily get all areas of your skin under control!
Sensitive Skin Type
Common skin conditions - dermatitis & dehydration
allergic reactions —eczema/dermatitis
irritants —synthetic fragrances, alcohol & surfactants
texture is dry & flaky in patches
flushes easily & feels warm to the touch
Another tricky type, your skin can get extremely dry, itchy and irritated if you have sensitive skin.
Your skin typically suffers from skin conditions like eczema or other dermatitis related rashes. These occur from allergic reactions brought on from different environmental factors.
Certain cosmetics, skincare, and household detergents should come with a hazard warning for you. This is because they contain synthetic fragrances, harsh alcohols, surfactants and preservatives. All highly irritating ingredients for your skin.
This skin type can easily become damaged and dehydrated due to a weakened skin barrier that can't protect the skin or prevent water loss.
Mature Skin
dehydration
uneven skin tone
wrinkles/sagging
loss of muscle tone
Mature skin isn't a skin type it's a condition that we're all going to experience one day!
Everyone’s skin ages at a different pace, but the signs are fairly universal. Sun exposure is a major factor that can greatly affect the way your ages and speed up the process.
Mature skin requires enhanced skincare to tackle past and future damage. The right anti-aging regime will stimulate cell turnover, boost collagen, repair skin damage and protect against future damage.
Need Skincare Help?
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