Find The Right Cleanser For Your Skin Type
The saying goes that once you've made the first impression, it will usually be your last, and with our faces being the most vital part of an initial meeting, making a good impression has never been more important.
We are a social society with busy schedules and day to day lives which is why it's essential that we take care of our appearance and keep ourselves looking great, no matter what our skin type may be.
We've developed a step-by-step guide to help you discover your skin type (if you don't already know what yours is) and learn about how best to treat it.
Before we direct you to a seven-question skincare test over at Ask the Scientists, first wash your clean, make-up free face with cool water. Without applying anything to your face, leave it to dry for two hours then examine your skin in the mirror; how has it settled without any product applied?
Take the quiz to find out a bit more about your skin type.
1. Dry Skin
There are many internal and external factors to dry facial skin, all of which contribute to the deterioration of our natural lipid surface barrier. Dry skin is a common occurrence especially in the winter months and is characterized by skin tightness which tends to be slightly rough in some areas.
Treating this type of skin can be done in three simple steps.
A mild (mild being the keyword here) but effective skin cleanser is a vital prerequisite to skincare for dry skin. Try Eucerin's DermatoCLEAN Mild Cleansing Milk (£20).
Follow with a hydrating toner- those which contain rose water are best suited for dry skin. Finish with a rich moisturiser that easily absorbs into the skin.
2. Combination Skin
Our skin is already a tricky canvass to navigate but adding multiple types into the mix requires some heavy handiwork.
Start with a gentle but effective water-soluble cleanser which can be a lotion-based or gel-textured cleanser. Apply a hydrating, soothing non-irritating toner filled with a healthy amount of skin-replenishing ingredients and antioxidants.
Moisturising an oily T-zone and dry cheeks is so often a 'combi' girl's problem so how do we tackle it? With a multi-tasking product, that's how.
Clarins' Hydra-Matte Lotion (£28) was developed especially for those with trickier skin as it adapts to your oily t-zone and dry cheeks combo. It also reduces redness, helps regulate oil production, tightens pores, absorbs excess oil, and reduces shine.
3. Oily Skin
Oily skin, in contrast with its combination counterpart, is best targeted with a gentle regime. To decrease oil production without drying the skin, begin with a gentle cleanser, followed by an alcohol-free toner.
Finish with Dermalogica's Breakout Control Gel (£43.50) has been hailed as a saviour among bloggers, editors, and influencers with oily skin.
The gel contains natural antibacterial agents, including Lactobacillus Ferment, to help clear and prevent breakouts without over-drying the skin.
