What type of skin do you have?

So, you’re interested in skincare? You’ve heard about it from your mum, it’s buzzing on your TikTok FYP, or perhaps your loved one has been pushing you to ditch the bar of soap and upgrade so that you don’t end up like a sack of wrinkles. But you don’t know where to begin. You’ve heard there are “skin types”, you’re 22 and you still don’t know which type you are. You’re not even sure what a toner does. DW, we’re here to help you.

 

What defines a skin type?

 

Skin type is based on the amount of sebum your skin produces. Se–whaaaat? Sebum. This is an oily, waxy substance produced by your body’s sebaceous glands which are microscopic glands found in your hair follicles. Sebum’s role is to coat, moisturise and protect your skin. Skin’s oiliness (determined by the level of sebum) can change over time and is influenced by factors such as stress, genetics, hormones, humidity, and the natural ageing process.  

 

What are the skin types?

 

There are 5 different skin types: normal, oily, dry, combination and sensitive. Let’s go through each type so you can get an understanding of which one you might be.

 

Oily skin: this is when your skin is shiny and greasy like the paper carrying your Friday night fish and chips. It happens when your sebaceous glands process excess sebum, especially throughout what the skincare experts call the “t-zone” which is the forehead, nose and chin. The risks of oily skin include looking like fast food, and being more prone to enlarged pores, acne blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads. 

 

Dry skin: this is when your skin is parched like the MCG cricket pitch on day 4 of the Boxing Day series. Dry skin is dull, rough, flaky or even scaly like your childhood pet goldfish. It can feel tight or less elastic. The risks of dry skin are that it can be more prone to fine lines, and can become itchy or irritated. 

 

Normal skin: this is when your skin is producing sebum in a good balance. It feels neither too dry nor too oily and, as a result, it is not prone to breakouts, flakiness, or feeling greasy or tight. Normal skin presents itself with small pores, smooth skin texture, and are less prone to sensitivity or blemishes. 

 

Combination skin: as its name suggests, this is when parts of your face are dry or normal - typically cheeks - and other parts are oily - typically the “t-zone”. This type of skin is influenced by seasonal fluctuations, stress and hormonal changes.

 

Sensitive skin: think of this as more so an underlying characteristic of skin that can exist in conjunction with the previous 4 skin types. Sensitive skin typically presents itself as red, burning, itching or dry. Sensitivity is typically triggered by external irritants such as dyes, fragrances and environmental factors.  

 

How do I know what my skin type is?

 

If you are this far into the article, and the description of the skin types still hasn’t helped you identify which skin type you are, then you should be concerned… concerned by how out of touch you are with your skin! It’s time to reconnect with your body and gain a deep understanding of who you are. All jokes aside, oftentimes it's not that obvious so there are two simple tests you can try to help you figure it out.

 

Cleanser Test: wash your face with a gentle, PH balanced, vegan cleanser - such as our Foam Cleanser. Then wait for 20-30 minutes and observe how your skin has reacted. If your skin appears shiny like a new cricket ball, then you have oily skin. If it feels tight and flaky, then you have dry skin. If it is shiny in the “t-zone” only, then you have combination skin. If it feels totally fine, you’re wondering what all the fuss is about “skin types” and you observe nothing abnormal, then you, my friend, have normal skin.

 

Blotting Test: if the visual cues are not enough, after you wash your face, you can try pressing it with blotting paper to absorb the oil. Based on where you observe oil and the level of oil you observe, you can quickly determine what type of skin you have.  

 

OK, so now I know my skin type - what’s next?

 

It is important to have a skincare routine that can work for all skin types. After all, our skin type and needs might change based on internal and external factors. Investing in skincare products that ensure skin health across all skin types is the best strategy. 

 

That’s where our skincare products come into play - no bias of course 😉   

 

We have designed a 4 step skincare routine called the Essentials System which features a Foam Cleanser, Liquid Toner, Structure Serum and Gel Moisturiser. Our formulations are vegan, cruelty-free and, most importantly, are lite and fast absorbing making them adaptable across all skin types. 

 

Start off by washing your face with our gentle, cloud-like PH balanced Foam Cleanser that will wash away excess oil, dirt and pollutants without altering the PH balance of your skin, nor leaving it stripped bare and dry.

 

Then, once you have dried your face, gain a deeper cleanse with our watery Fruit Alpha Hydroxy Acid infused mild chemical exfoliating Liquid Toner that goes one layer deeper into the pores to wash away those irritants. It will also tighten the pores with Witch Hazel to keep them protected.

 

Enhance the structural integrity of your skin by restoring protein loss, and glow (literally) with our Structure Serum that contains two antioxidants - Vitamin C and Niacinamide - and a first of its kind vegan collagen made using recombinant DNA technology. This formulation is so lite and delicate, it is like a golden elixir fit for a king. Or queen.

 

Finally, restore and retain hydration in the skin with the Gel Moisturiser. This formulation is smooth and absorbs quickly so that it doesn’t leave your skin feeling extra oily and gluggy. 

 

Just as an FYI, our formulations do contain fragrances. These are elevated, sensorial blends that are designed to transform skincare routine into ritual. The process of skincare becomes a meditative experience that not only enhances your skin health, but leaves you in a peaceful and present state of mind. On very rare occasions, the ingredients in fragrances can irritate those with sensitive skin. If you are unsure whether you fall into that bucket, just send us an email and we can sort you out with some samples to try first. 

 

At this point, we hope you know what skin type you are and that you’re ready to ditch the bar of soap for skincare products fit for all skin types…. hopefully from one brand in particular 😏

 

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