Cleansing Tips for Non “Normal” Skin

Did you know that there are five different types of skin? Believe it or not, the normal skin type is not what most people have. In fact, dermatologists believe that combination is the most common skin type. The first and most important part of skincare is knowing your skin type, before even trying out new products. Next up is knowing which product to wash your face with. Here are cleansing tips for each of the non-normal skin types:

• Sensitive Skin – Those with conditions like rosacea, eczema or are prone to getting allergic reactions to their skin will more than likely have sensitive skin. Before committing to a new cleanser, those with sensitive skin should first try doing a patch test.
  To do this, apply a small amount of whatever skincare product you would like to use on a patch of skin like on your forearm. Do this twice a day for about 8 days to make sure your skin doesn’t develop an adverse reaction to it. Those with sensitive skin should also try to avoid organic skincare products that contain essential oils, and other unrefined ingredients that may irritate the skin.
• Dry Skin – When cleansing, opt for a more gentle, fragrance-free product. You shouldn’t use a lot of it, just enough for to remove the accumulated dirt and oil without creating too much lather. Rinsing with lukewarm water ensures that your skin does dry out even more. When moisturizing, go with a thicker, cream-based moisturizer. Try to avoid ingredients like alcohol and retinoids as those can dry out the skin even further.
• Oily Skin – Those with oily skin are prone to clogged pores, so opting for a lighter lotion and a gel-based cleanser can prevent accumulation of excess oil. When looking for new products to try out, look for those that are noncomedogenic and are oil-free to avoid any skin irritation and further oil buildup. Acne breakouts can occur when the build up of oil and dirt ends up clogging up your pores.
• Combination Skin – This usually means that some parts of  your face are oily, while others are dry. The most commonly affected area of combination skin is referred to by dermatologists as the T-Zone. This is your forehead, down to your nose and onto your chin. In simplest terms, if you have combination skin, you should moisturize the dry areas, and avoid over-moisturizing those that are oily. Mild, gel-based cleansers are the safest option for combination skin as they are not too harsh but are effective.