Knowing what type of skin you have will help you when choosing beauty products, facial cleansers, or moisturizers. The type of skin you have will determine which products you need to use, as different skin types will need different products to maintain a beautiful complexion.

Not sure what type of skin you have? This guide will help you out!

If You Have:

• Dry Skin

Many women suffer from dry skin, and it’s actually a very common skin type. Do you notice your skin feels tight, especially after showering or washing your face? Your skin may also feel rough or look dehydrated, and your skin may flake or peel. Itching and redness are also quite common symptoms of dry skin.

If you have dry skin, limit your showers to no more than 10 minutes and avoid really hot water, as this can further dry out your skin. Switch to a heavier moisturizing lotion during the winter and apply lotion immediately after bathing to lock in moisture.

• Oily Skin

Does your face look greasy, shiny and unhealthy? If so, you probably have oily skin. You might experience frequent mild to moderate breakouts, even in adulthood.

If you have oily skin, you need to find a cleanser that’s gentle but deep cleaning. Whatever you do, don’t use soap. Soap is drying and your skin will produce more oil to make up for what the soap has taken away. Overwashing your face will only exacerbate the problem, so stick to cleansing twice a day and use a light moisturizer to protect your skin.

• Sensitive Skin

Women with sensitive skin may notice irritation and inflammation after cleansing, or they may have a hard time finding beauty products that don’t react negatively to their skin.

Products formulated specifically for sensitive skin may help, but because there could be a number of things causing your reactions you should visit a dermatologist for treatment advice.

• Combination Skin

If your T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin) are often oily while your cheeks are dry, you probably have combination skin. Many women suffer from a combination skin type, and it can be a frustrating problem to correct.

You should start with a gentle cleanser (Cetaphil is a good one to try) followed by an alcohol-free toner to combat shine. Use a lightweight moisturizer to keep your skin smooth and supple and make sure your face makeup is oil-free and won’t clog your pores.

• Normal Skin

If you have normal skin, count yourself one of the lucky ones. Women with normal skin don’t fall into any of the above categories, have smaller pores, and aren’t typically irritated by beauty products. You probably don’t experience many breakouts, either.

Skin changes over time, so even if you have normal skin now that doesn’t mean it will last forever. Use a gentle skin care regimen to protect your gorgeous complexion now and hopefully prevent problems later.

Figuring out your skin type is an important step to learning what facial and beauty products may work for you. Get into the habit of a good skin care regimen now to keep your skin healthy, happy, and glowing.

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(Original photo by Brandi Sims, used under Creative Commons license.)