Understanding the Different Skin Types & How to Care for Them
As a natural, vegan skincare store, we understand how your skin type can dramatically affect your skincare routine, whether you have normal skin, battle oily zones, or suffer from dry patches.
Join AE Botanicals as we explore the characteristics of different skin types normal, oily, dry, combination, sensitive, and mature and provide tailored advice on nurturing and protecting your skin. From choosing the right products to implementing a skincare routine that addresses specific concerns, this guide will help you achieve a healthier, more radiant complexion.
Normal Skin
Normal skin is characterised by balanced sebum production for adequate moisture without excess oiliness, a smooth and supple texture, good elasticity contributing to firmness, and few imperfections like blemishes. Normal skin types have smaller, less visible pores and minimal sensitivity to products or environmental factors. This well-balanced skin type maintains an even tone and texture with appropriate hydration and oil levels, allowing it to tolerate a variety of skincare ingredients.
Skincare for normal skin
Routine
Normal skin types need a balanced skincare routine to maintain healthy, vibrant skin. This regimen should begin with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Following cleansing, applying a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser helps to hydrate and protect the skin barrier. Always end your routine with sun protection, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen to shield the skin from harmful UV rays and prevent premature ageing.
Products
Use a nice, natural body lotion that provides hydration without clogging pores. These lotions should be effective yet gentle enough to maintain the skin's natural balance. Use cleansers that cleanse effectively without altering the skin's pH. These products work together to keep your skin healthy and prevent dryness or oiliness.
Extra Tips
Regular exfoliation is crucial for maintaining the health and radiance of normal skin. Aim to exfoliate once or twice a week using a product that suits your skin type; this helps to remove dead skin cells and promote new cell growth. Exfoliation keeps the skin looking vibrant and fresh and enhances the effectiveness of other skincare products by improving absorption. Just be sure not to over-exfoliate, as this can lead to irritation and disrupt the skin's natural protective barrier.
Oily Skin
Oily skin has overactive sebaceous glands that produce excessive sebum (skin oil). This sebum production leads to a shiny, greasy appearance, enlarged pores that can clog easily, a higher propensity for acne breakouts and blemishes, and a thick, coarse skin texture. While some oil is necessary, those with oily skin require special care to control shine, remove excess oil, and keep pores clear.
Skincare for oily skin
Routine
For oily skin, focus on controlling excess sebum without over-drying it. Cleanse regularly, but don't over-strip the skin of its natural oils. Use an oil-free, water-based moisturiser or lotion to hydrate without adding more oil. Weekly use of a clay mask can help absorb surface oils.
Products
When it comes to products for oily skin, use foaming or gel-based cleansers that won't leave a residue. Look for oil-free moisturisers labelled "non-comedogenic" to avoid clogged pores. Ingredients like Jojoba Seed Oil, Coconut Caprylic, Camellia Seed Oil, Kawakawa Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Roman Chamomile Oil are particularly effective choices for oily skin.
Extra tips
Those with oily skin should avoid heavy, cream-based products that can contribute to clogged pores and a greasy appearance. Look for oil-free or "mattifying" formulas instead. Blotting papers are extremely useful for controlling shine and absorbing excess oil throughout the day without disrupting your makeup. It's also wise to go powder-based for makeup when possible.
Dry Skin
Dry skin lacks adequate moisture due to an impaired skin barrier that allows hydration to escape readily. This results in a rough, flaky, uneven texture with fine lines, tightness after cleansing, and increased sensitivity. Dry skin tends to have fine, less visible pores and a dull, flat complexion that lacks radiance. The lack of moisture also makes dry skin prone to premature ageing. Treating dry skin requires replenishing lipids and using richer moisturisers and ointments to seal in hydration.
Skincare for dry skin
Routine
For dry skin, prioritise a routine focused on hydration and barrier protection. Cleanse gently to avoid stripping away precious oils, and follow with hydrating toners or essences to replenish moisture levels. Layer on rich moisturising creams both morning and night to continuously replenish the skin's protective barrier.
Products
When it comes to products for dry skin, opt for cream-based cleansers over foaming varieties, which can be too drying. Look for natural, rich, emollient moisturisers containing hydrating ingredients like rosehip seed oil, vitamin E, or coenzyme Q10 to help lock in moisture and repair the skin's barrier. Avoid products with high levels of alcohol, which can further dehydrate the skin.
Advice
For an extra hydration boost, apply moisturiser or lotion to slightly damp skin right after cleansing - this helps "seal in" the moisture. A humidifier, especially in dry climates or winter months, can also help prevent moisture loss from the skin's surface. Be diligent about hydrating from both the outside with products and inside with adequate water intake for overall dewiness.
Combination Skin
Combination skin exhibits a blend of both oily and dry characteristics. The typical combination complexion has an oily T-zone across the forehead, nose, and chin area due to higher sebum production and enlarged pores prone to shine and blemishes. In contrast, the cheek areas tend to be drier or "normal", though they may still experience dehydration and flakiness if not properly moisturised. Managing combination skin requires balancing oil control for the shiny T-zone while providing adequate hydration for the drier cheek regions. Levels of oiliness can also shift seasonally based on hormones, weather, and other factors.
Skincare for combination skin
Routine
For those with combination skin, the key is tailoring your routine to address both the oily and dry areas appropriately. Focus on oil control for the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) while providing ample hydration for the typically drier cheek areas. Use a gentle, non-drying cleanser and an oil-absorbing toner on just the oily zones. Moisturise comprehensively, possibly using a richer cream on the cheeks.
Products
Look for a gentle, non-stripping cleanser that won't overly dry out the face. Use a lightweight, oil-free lotion all over, potentially layering a more emollient, hydrating cream just on the drier cheek regions. Products containing ingredients like jojoba oil can help regulate excess sebum.
Advice
Try multi-masking by using different face masks simultaneously on different areas - such as a clay-based purifying mask on the T-zone and a hydrating mask on the cheeks. Blotting papers are useful for mattifying shine on just the oily areas throughout the day. Exfoliate regularly to keep pores clear in the oily regions as well. Consistency is key to balancing combination skin.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is prone to redness, irritation, stinging, and reactions when using many products or being exposed to environmental triggers. It has an impaired skin barrier function, allowing irritants to penetrate more easily. Sensitive skin often feels tight, may appear flushed, and can have increased dryness and flakiness.
Skincare for sensitive skin
Routine
For sensitive skin, the routine should focus on reducing irritation and maintaining the integrity of the skin's protective barrier. Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, followed by an alcohol-free toner to remoisturize. Apply a rich, ceramide-based moisturiser to strengthen the skin barrier. Avoid over-cleansing, which can strip the skin.
Products
Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic options specifically formulated for sensitive skin types. Look for calming ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, and kawakawa extract, which can help soothe irritation. Avoid potential sensitisers like drying alcohols, harsh surfactants, and artificial dyes/fragrances.
Advice
Before trying any new product, even those marked "for sensitive skin," always do a patch test first to check for reactions. Avoid mechanical exfoliation like scrubs, which can cause micro-tears and irritation. Instead, opt for gentle, enzyme-based exfoliants. Be very careful in hot temperatures or wind as they can aggravate sensitive skin. AE Botanicals has a range of containing ingredients that are kind to sensitive skin.
Mature Skin
Several characteristic changes occur as skin ages that define the "mature" skin type. Lack of moisture, loss of elasticity and firmness, visible lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and thinning of the epidermis are all common concerns. Mature skin types often become dryer, more sensitive, and feature fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots due to loss of collagen and UV damage.
Skincare for mature skin
Routine
Prioritise hydration through layered moisture. Gently exfoliate regularly to renew surface cells. Apply high-quality sunscreen for added protection.
Products
Use creamy, nutrient-dense moisturisers. Use serums with proven anti-ageing ingredients like Sodium Hyaluronate, vitamin C, and Coenzyme Q10. Nourishing facial oils can boost the skin's radiance.
Advice
Be extremely gentle when cleansing and applying products to avoid damaging fragile skin. Incorporate regular facial massage for a youthful glow. Treatments like chemical peels may help resurface the skin.
Green Beauty, Clean Beauty: Let Your Skin Glow Naturally
Navigating the skincare world can seem daunting, but understanding your skin type is the first step toward unlocking its natural beauty. Whether your skin is oily, dry, or somewhere in between, the right products and some mindfulness can help you maintain balance and enhance your skin's overall health. Remember, the key to effective skincare lies in consistency and choosing products that align with your skin's unique needs.
By applying the insights and tips from this guide, you're well on your way to enjoying a clearer, more glowing complexion. Keep experimenting responsibly with products and routines until you find what truly works for your skin, and don't hesitate to consult with a dermatologist to refine your approach as needed. Explore our range of natural, vegan skincare products today, which are gentle on the skin but work hard to keep it looking its best.