What is your skin type? If you’re not sure, there are some tests that can help determine your skin type. Once you figure that out, the next question might be whether you’ll be blessed (or cursed) with the same skin type for the rest of your life. While some experts believe that your skin type is genetically determined and permanent, others suggest that your skin type can evolve over time due to factors such as age, hormonal changes, and changes in your environment. Read on to learn more about how your skin can evolve over time and what this means for your skin’s health.
What is my skin type?
Knowing what skin type you have is an important part of the long-term health of your body’s largest organ. Not only is it a factor when choosing which skin care products to use to keep your skin looking its best, but it can also affect how your skin feels and how it should be treated for best results, comfort and overall skin health.
There are five different skin types, each with their own problems. Let’s dive a little deeper:
Normal
Normal skin is known to be healthy and balanced. Your skin looks and feels evenly hydrated with consistent oil levels and an even texture. Consider yourself one of the lucky ones!
Dry
If you have dry skin, your skin does not produce enough lipids to hydrate and protect itself. It can feel tight, uncomfortable and even peel in areas of the face. On the plus side, dry skin is known to have smaller pores. On a less positive note, fine lines and wrinkles tend to be more apparent on dry skin. And, in case you’re wondering, dry skin is different from dehydrated skin—which is a skin condition that can affect people of all skin types.
Oily
Oily skin is characterized by sebaceous glands that produce a lot of sebum – also known as the oily substance that protects your skin from drying out. Because of these overactive oil glands, your pores look larger, your skin can look shiny, and you’re more prone to breakouts.
Combination
A combination skin type can be tricky to navigate. With oil glands that are active in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and less active everywhere else (hello, dry cheeks), combination skin means your skin requires more targeted care, not a one-size-fits-all product .
Sensitive
Sensitive skin can cause a number of different symptoms – redness and irritation largely among them. Reacting to factors such as lifestyle choices, chemical ingredients or environmental stressors, sensitive skin responds negatively to irritation. It’s a skin type that requires a little extra TLC to keep it calm.
Am I stuck with my skin type?
So is your skin type permanent or can it change due to factors such as ageing, stress or moving to a new climate? Can you do anything about the type of skin you are given? The jury is still out on this one. According Women’s health: “The general assumption is that your skin type is definitive. Once you’ve determined whether you have dry, oily or combination skin—and build your skincare routine around it—you won’t have to worry about any changes. The reality: Skin is susceptible to shifts due to many factors, including environmental and hormonal changes, stress levels, diet, medications and other health issues.”
There is a difference between your skin going through temporary changes and your skin type changing permanently. “Your skin type is genetically determined, and it’s not something that changes with the seasons,” says the New York dermatologist. Joshua Zeichner, MD. According to him, “the only exception is that oily skin can become dry with age.” After menopause, this change can occur as your sebaceous glands become less active. (This happens because natural hormonal changes.)
How do I know if my skin type has changed?
It is essential to observe your skin often and pay attention to any issues that appear different from what you are used to. If the products you’ve been using forever suddenly stop working, it might be time to reassess and possibly change some part of your routine. Consider whether anything has changed with your environment or health. Have you moved from a cold climate to a place that is hot and humid? Has menopause started or are you suddenly under a huge amount of stress? Regardless of the cause, your “new” skin requires a different type of care. Paying attention and looking for products that best suit these new pigmentation spots can help with this shift in your skin and its needs.
Skin changes with menopause
According to American Academy of Dermatology, as hormone levels plummet with menopause, your skin can become dry, loose and thin. At the same time, as female hormone levels drop before and during menopause, some women develop teenage-like acne. But because a menopausal woman’s skin is thinner and drier, the usual treatments for teenage acne are often too harsh. This is a good time to see a dermatologist to find out what your particular skin is doing and how best to treat it.
To add insult to injury, loose, loose skin can suddenly develop larger pores as the skin loses its elasticity and ability to break back. “Pores are openings on the surface of the skin – the path that oils and sweat take when they leave your skin – and pore size is determined by genetics, but pores can become larger due to loss of elasticity, age and damage in the support and the tissues around them,” he says Rachel Nazarian, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York. “And pores, like any hole, can fill up and stretch if they’re filled with too much stuff or for too long—and like the rest of the skin, they can become loose and baggy.”
While this “new” skin type may look completely different from the skin you’re used to, it’s hard to tell if your skin has changed type or just evolved into a new state we’ll call “menopausal.” Regardless, it’s a big change and your products and routine should evolve to reflect your current needs.
The skin changes with the climate
In winter (or with a transition to a colder climate), skin can feel drier than you’re used to. Again, this is unlikely to mean that your actual skin type has changed. Chances are your skin is dealing with dehydration and irritation caused by the cold weather (not to mention the wind and dry air from indoor heat). These skin issues can be difficult to navigate, but often only require a change in skin care products, rather than a whole new skin identity!
When you’re dealing with dry, dehydrated or irritated skin from the winter air, we suggest a few tweaks to help refresh and nourish your skin. An option we love for dry skin is the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that can hold hundreds of times its weight in water. When applied to the face, it draws moisture into your skin, providing long-lasting hydration in a dry climate, which is exactly what your skin craves in winter.
Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer is another great foundation for all skin types. Made with hydrating stone, vitamin C-packed lemon and corn germ oil, this rich moisturizer improves the appearance of dark spots and delivers plenty of moisture, which can be a huge relief when the winter wind is wreaking havoc.
Just as cold, dry air can cause your skin to completely change its name, hot summer air, humidity, and things like the sun and salt water can cause skin problems of their own. Again, this is not a change in skin type, but a reaction to your environment. Usually, this is a temporary shift that will shift when the weather changes — or that your skin will acclimate to when the first shock of the change wears off. With the warmer months, your skin can get a little oilier. But don’t use that as an excuse to skip SPF. Find one made for your skin’s needs.
From the Beyond Organic range, Echinacea Recovery Cream softens and restores normal to oily skin. This creamy moisturizer is made with Echinacea, St. John’s wort and Aloe Vera to revitalize and reduce signs of irritation. Eminence Organics Lead Skin Trainer Natalie Pergar also recommends the Lavender Age Corrective Night Concentrate. Formulated with argan oil, jojoba oil and shea butter, this concentrate is very hydrating and helps your skin adapt to the changes the weather can bring.
Which skin type is best?
While no skin type is ‘bad’ or ‘good’, there are definitely characteristics that can be considered both pros and cons for each. Dry skin, for example, can become tight and flaky, especially in the cold winter wind or after too much sun. But that same dry skin is less prone to acne in most cases, as oil production is associated with larger pores and other telltale signs of the condition, board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Kristina Collins says Birdie.
Oily skin, on the other hand, is often associated with smoother, more supple skin. Lines and wrinkles don’t form as quickly and don’t look as pronounced on an oily skin. According Healthline: “The oil provides moisture and firmness to the skin…genetically, dry skin tends to be thinner…and fine lines and wrinkles appear more exaggerated.”
While combination skin can be a little tricky to treat, once you get the hang of it (and figure out which parts of your face respond best to which products), you can see it as the best of both worlds.
Sensitive skin can be a real pain — literally and figuratively. Irritation, tightness, itching and redness are no joke and can be uncomfortable if left untreated. Like combination skin, once you learn how your personal skin responds to certain ingredients and treatments, some of the problems can be reduced. Often sensitive skin reacts to its environment or damages its protective barrier. Knowing this can allow you to change your regimen to keep things calm and reduce irritation.
Knowing your skin type is essential for healthy, beautiful skin and helps you decide on the right skin care routines and products. Need help deciphering your skin type? Visit an Eminence Organics Spa partner and an esthetician can professionally diagnose your skin type and recommend products to help it look and feel its best.
