“I DO NOT KNOW WHICH SKIN GROUP I BELONG TO.”

BEFORE YOU SHOP! READ ABOUT WHAT PRODUCTS WORK FOR YOUR SKIN GROUP:

My simple, down-to-earth skin classification system relies on the basic concepts related to your skin: your skin group, which refers to the texture of your skin: oily, dry, or sensitive, balanced or advanced photodamage. To understand these groups better, and if you are not sure of your skin group, select from the menu below:

BALANCED SKIN

If you fall into this category, you are one of the lucky ones. When you get up in the morning or after a full day of activities, your skin is not oily. You are also fortunate because your skin is not so dry that it feels irritated, scaly, or cracked. Therefore, you can tolerate most products.

SENSITIVE DRY SKIN

Those with sensitive skin are often the most vulnerable, yet often a misunderstood segment of the population.

One of the main features that dominate sensitive skin is that the skin barrier is impaired; consequently, you may often feel that your skin is dry and flaky. And you may try different moisturizers to fight the dryness which may actually aggravate your skin.

SENSITIVE OILY SKIN

Those with sensitive skin are often the most vulnerable, yet often a misunderstood segment of the population.

One of the main features that dominate sensitive skin is that the skin barrier is impaired; consequently, you may often feel that your skin is dry and flaky. Your skin may also feel oily and irritated. And you may try different moisturizers to fight the dryness which may actually aggravate your skin.

OILY SKIN / COMBINATION / IN-BETWEEN

This group is comprised mostly of young adults with very oily skin. Some people who fall into this group may suffer from acne breakouts. An oily film on the skin is frequently present in the morning and at the end of the day, especially after outdoor activities. Remember: the nose knows. If you get up in the morning and your nose feels oily, chances are you belong to the oily skin group.

Combination and the “In-betweens”(as in SIMPLE SKINCARE: Less Is More)

A special group of people who have oily skin combined with early signs of aging, or an oily T-zone with dry patches in other parts of the face. Use products that will get rid of the excess oil without drying your skin too much. On the other hand, be careful when using anti-aging products, because these products can be oily and make your skin break out.

DRY SKIN

This skin group is comprised of individuals who have dry, flaky, and sometimes irritated skin. Some may have minimal visible signs of aging, while others may have significant signs of aging, such as thin, leathery, blotchy, and wrinkled skin. If you belong to this skin group, you should choose products such as very mild cleansers and moisturizers, rich in emollients (ingredients that add moisture to your skin).

ADVANCED VISIBLE AGING

The harsh power of the sun is the major cause of skin destruction. In fact, some researchers suggest that the sun causes up to 80 percent of total damage to the skin. This is not just about sunbathing; any exposure to ultraviolet radiation (the sun) that accumulates during daily activities, even if it’s not enough to cause a sunburn, is referred to as photo-aging.

Sun damage occurs during regular daily activities, such as running errands outdoors, getting in and out of a car, and even by sitting near a glass window. If you live in a northern climate, do not get too confident. You are also at risk for sun damage. The sun-protected areas appear white, without blemishes; while the exposed areas show the tell-tale signs of skin damage. And if you have darker skin, while you may not have as many wrinkles as those with light skin, you may encounter unsightly dark spots and uneven skin-tone, another sign of sun damage. Whether you have fair skin or dark skin, it is essential to incorporate sun protection into your daily activities. You have control over this factor of aging, so why not do something about it?

Ultraviolet rays from the sun decrease collagen in our skin and damage our DNA. These rays also cause damage to the elastic fibers which, in turn, causes a reduction in the elasticity (or flexibility) of our skin. Furthermore, photodamage suppresses the immune function of the skin. This, in turn, predisposes us to pre-cancers and skin cancers.