We all have different skin types and the best products for each skin type can differ significantly. Understanding your own situation is essential for creating a skincare routine that delivers results, so we are here to help you make more informed decisions – to give your skin the care it deserves. After all, it is your body’s largest organ.
Here are two simple skin type tests for determining your skin type
1. The wash-and-wait test
The first skin type test is the wash-and-wait test. It is a good way to tell what type of skin you have, and the goal is to see how your skin performs after you give it a gentle (but thorough) wash with a mild cleanser. Don’t apply any products afterwards and avoid fiddling with your skin. After an hour, examine what your skin feels like.
Getting a tight sensation across your face? Your skin is probably dry. If your nose and forehead have a noticeable shine, it is possible that you have combination skin. Shiny everywhere? You most likely have oily skin.
Conduct this test on a day when your face feels reasonably calm, however, and be careful not to spend time exposed to irritants, such as the blistering sun, when doing this test.
2. Go to the doc
Your dermatologist may have technology at their disposal to assist in evaluating your skin and, as trained professionals, will definitely be more skilled at picking up on the subtle changes in skin texture, oil production, and pore size.
Reminder: Your skin can change over the years. Many factors impact skin type and how it changes with time: Everything from the medication you are taking, to the change in seasons, can affect your skin.
Let’s go through the typical characteristics of each skin type
Oily skin
Sebum is an oily matter produced by the body’s sebaceous glands. It is there to protect and moisturise the skin.[1] But not all of us produce the same amounts; sebaceous gland secretion is affected by sex and ethnicity. And when there is too much of this natural oil on your skin, it can latch on to dead skin cells and block a pore, which may lead to a pimple. So, the trick is to balance sebum production.
Take a look at Celltone’s Spot control range. Although not specifically developed to overcome oily skin, it will definitely assist and reduce the formation of pimples. It includes the Celltone Blitzer which is especially useful on pimples that are just starting to form.
Available at Dischem and Clicks.
Dry skin
With dry skin, there is a lack of lipids, the fat molecules in human sebum, and as a result, the skin appears flaky. As we get older, the skin is naturally depleted of lipids over time. External stressors, like pollutants and bacteria, harsh soaps and detergents, as well as seasonal changes with low temperatures and low humidity, can also strip the skin’s lipid barrier.
The ideal is to simplify your skincare regime and to opt for products with a suitable pH. Moisturisers with ceramides are a great way to strengthen the skin’s barrier to help prevent moisture loss. Humectants are another effective group of ingredients that will address dry skin as they attract water (either from the air or from deeper within the skin).
Celltone’s sensitive range is a good option if your skin type is dry. We also the Xtra Hydrating Treatment that will leave you glowing. You can find these at Dischem and Clicks.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is often included as a skin type, but it is primarily a skin condition. You can have dry and sensitive skin, for example, or oily and sensitive skin. It is also very common for your skin to become more sensitive as you age.
So what can you do? Steer clear of strong fragrances and dyes that can irritate your skin even more. Protect your skin with a good SPF.And try introducing new products one at a time. Sometimes it takes a while for your skin to adjust (and things could get better after getting worse).
We understand what a pain sensitive skin can be and that is why we developed Celltone’s Sensitive range to help with the irritation and redness caused by external stresses.
Available at Dischem and Clicks.
Combination skin
As the name suggests, combination skin displays characteristics of more than one skin type and generally refers to an oily T-zone with dry skin around it. You can focus on treating the different areas, but the best would be to balance the skin and to stay consistent.
Normal skin
The younger you are, the likelier you are to have normal skin. [2] If you won the skin lottery and this is your skin type – best to take care of it. Just as with any other skin type, normal skin will benefit from regular cleansing, appropriate exfoliation, and a brilliant moisturiser.
Our Even Tone and Essential ranges are perfectly suited to normal skin. Get yours at Dischem and Clicks.
Mature skin
In our twenties, collagen production starts to slow down and that is why we start seeing sagging, wrinkles, and fine lines as we get older. Luckily, there are products that contain collagen and that can stimulate collagen production to reduce the signs of ageing.
We have various suitable products for people with mature skin. Try our collagen products or our snail gel. Available at Dischem and Clicks.
If you have any product questions and want to speak to our experts, you are welcome to #AskCelltone by sending us a WhatsApp message to: +27 83 123 4567.
PLEASE NOTE: The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only, and does not provide a substitute for professional medical advice.
List of references:
Ethnic skin types: are there differences in skin structure and function?
Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00302.x
Sebaceous glands as transporters of vitamin E
Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16477469/
Sebomic identification of sex- and ethnicity-specific variations in residual skin surface components (RSSC) for bio-monitoring or forensic applications
Available at: https://lipidworld.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12944-018-0844-z
What is a humectant?
Available at: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-is-a-humectant#
