Skincare is EXTREMELY subjective. We are talking, like, 1000x more subjective than haircare. Your hair is one thing, but your skin, now that is a completely different subject. Its an organ. It breaks out--hair doesn't do that it. It gets red and flakey--hair doesn't do that (the scalp does, which is, you guessed it, skin). It hates us for a period (pun intended) of time each month--hair doesn't do that. Hair can take a beating (I'm looking at you, bleach). But, have you ever heard of a person bleaching their face and it turning out even remotely OK? Haaaale Nah.
Bottom line, it needs to be protected. And cared for. And treated kindly. And given chocolates and roses on its birthday.
I do not claim to be a skin care expert at all, but I have picked up a fair amount of tips over the years. In this series of posts, I will share what I use, which includes medication. If you have oily, acne prone skin, sharpen your pencils and grab paper--today I am your fairy godmother. If you don't have the skin type I just described, still stick around! Again, I do not claim to be an expert, so when it comes to other skin types, I simply haven't done as much research as I have concerning my own. But, there is something for everyone to take from in this post, so don't get discouraged.
Now, without further ado, let's jump into my Mary Poppin's bag of skincare.
First Things First- Skin Types
There are four main types of skin that we most commonly come across:
1) Dry- feels tight, no face oil (sebum). Tends to be flakey around certain areas, like chin and nose
2) Normal- Does not have feel tight or excessively oily; some oily might be produced throughout the day, but not substantial; tend to have smaller pores
3) Combination Skin- The most common type of skin. Skin feels substantially oily in the middle of the face, or T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). Rest of face is comfortable, with occasional dry patches, especially during colder months. Experiences breakouts, especially in oilier areas.
4) Oily- Significant sebum production all over face, concentrated in T-zone and cheeks. Tends to have large pores, blackheads and whiteheads.
There is also a fifth skin type: Sensitive. Sensitive skin becomes irritated very easily and tends to remain red, especially in cheeks. Sensitive can be applied to any of the skin types listed above, with examples being dry sensitive or oily sensitive.
For some, what I have just explained is old news. But knowing your skin type is essential to the proper care of it, especially when seeking the care of a professional. If you have the budget for high end skincare and are going to get a consultation, it is a good idea to state up front what your skin type is in order to get a comprehensive regimen. Furthermore, knowing your skin type can help with buying makeup, especially powders and foundations. So keep it stowed away, ladies! It could be as handy as your Social Security Number! (Not really, but you catch my drift.)
Stay tuned for Part II!
Stay Excellent,
Allie
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