Skin Types

Know your skin

Unequaled in terms of extension, the skin is a very important element that differentiates us from each other: the innumerable micro / macroscopic parameters that distinguish a specific type of skin characterize each individual with almost unique characteristics.

Knowing your skin type is important not only to get to know each other better, but also to know how to choose the most suitable cosmetic products and treatments. But that's not all: knowing your skin biotype is also crucial for assessing changes in the skin over the years, thus intervening appropriately in the presence of any physio-pathological changes.

Skin checkup

The skin undergoes wide variations in the course of life: the health of the skin is heavily influenced by life habits, climatic conditions, age and any morbid conditions. In fact, the skin is perpetually in contact with the external environment: the action of the wind, changes in temperature, changes in humidity and the UV rays of the sun can sometimes visibly alter the natural appearance of the skin.

To determine one's skin type, modern dermatological instruments (eg corneometer, evaporimeter, wood lamp, hydro-test, sebum-test, pH-meter etc.) evaluate several characteristics:

Skin texture
Appearance
Degree of hydration
Amount of sebum present
Temperature
pH of the skin
Color (phototype)

In the absence of dermatological or metabolic pathologies, it is not necessary to undergo in-depth diagnostic investigations to establish one's skin biotype: in this case, the help of a magnifying glass, a very useful tool to provide important information on the characteristics of the skin, may be sufficient of each of us.

Skin types

The table shows the main types of leather: each biotype has unique characteristics, therefore cosmetic products must be carefully selected to improve their appearance as much as possible.

Oily, impure, acne-prone skin

Features

At the sight, oily skin appears shiny, oily, dehydrated
It can present blackheads (blackheads or whiteheads)
The complexion of oily skin is dull and gray
The texture of the oily skin is irregular and rough to the touch
It often has large pores and tends to redness
It is more susceptible to acne forms, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff and androgenetic alopecia

Proper cosmetic treatments

Beauty products designed for oily skin contain specific ingredients that are functional to the disorder. Therefore, an ideal cosmetic for oily skin will have to purify and hydrate the superficial epidermal layers, fight bacterial proliferation and favor the closure of the follicles. For oily and acne-prone skin, it is also important to choose cosmetic products that can balance the exaggerated (and altered) activity of the sebaceous glands.

Particular attention must be paid to cleaning the face, which must not be performed with products that are too aggressive: a gentle cleansing reduces the risk of encountering the so - called rebound effect, which would further increase sebum production.

To avoid the occlusive and too heavy products.

Even exfoliating cosmetics are very important for the treatment of oily acne-prone skin: these substances, used in moderation and common sense, stimulate cell renewal, reduce follicular hyperkeratosis and promote the release of sebum trapped inside the ducts glandular.

To learn more, consult the article: Cosmetic treatment for oily skin

Dry skin

Features

To the touch, this type of skin appears rough, not very elastic, cracked and with an irregular texture
At sight, dry skin is fragile, thin and flaky
It has a light and dull complexion, and the appearance of excessively dry skin appears unhealthy
It shows phenomena of premature skin aging, especially wrinkles
In this type of skin, the hydrolipid content of the stratum corneum is significantly lower than the physiological values

Proper cosmetic treatments

Dry skin - always fragile, thin and delicate - requires an intensive cosmetic treatment aimed both at increasing the percentage of water in the more superficial epidermal layers, and at deeply nourishing the skin with softening and nourishing substances.

For this purpose, the most suitable cosmetics to improve the appearance of this type of skin are:

Wetting and gelling substances (eg glycerin, mucilage, hyaluronic acid, silk proteins, collagen)
Emollient cosmetics, able to indirectly hydrate the skin preventing the evaporation of water from the epidermal layers (eg vegetable oils and butters, ceramides, polyunsaturated fatty acids)
Film-forming substances (eg vaseline oil, indicated for particularly marked forms of skin dryness)
Beekeeping products such as honey (moisturizing, softening and soothing properties) and beeswax (film-forming and emollient properties)

To learn more, see the article: Cosmetic treatment for dry skin

Normal skin

Features

At sight, this type of skin has a light and rosy color.
To the touch, normal skin is smooth and smooth
From a physiological point of view, a normal skin has an excellent microcirculation, a right degree of hydration and a balanced hydrolipidic film
A normal skin is bright, transparent and has no imperfections

In a sense, normal skin is perfect skin; rather rare in adults, this type of skin is often observed during pre-pubertal age.

Proper cosmetic treatments

Beauty products designed for normal skin aim to maintain the ideal characteristics of "perfect" skin for as long as possible. The advice is to prefer maintenance products, therefore protective and moisturizing. Furthermore, to prevent the signs of premature skin aging, it is suggested to sporadically apply anti-aging products on the skin.

Mixed Skin

Features

The peculiarity of the mixed skin is to present simultaneously characteristics similar to oily and dry skin: in some areas, the mixed skin appears greasy and acneic, while in others it is extremely dry and flaky.
The composition of the hydrolipidic film of this type of skin is variable in the different areas of the face and is influenced by the changes in the season.
Most often, the most critical points of this type of skin are the nose and forehead, which tend to present blackheads and large pores

Proper cosmetic treatments

Treatment for combination skin is extremely complex: the opinion of the dermatologist may sometimes be necessary.

It is of fundamental importance to carefully choose beauty products and detergents, to avoid further drying up of areas of dry skin, and to weigh down areas that are too fat.

Moisturizing and sebum normalizing cosmetics are the most recommended for combination skin.

On the other hand, highly comedogenic products are highly discouraged, as they could encourage the onset of blackheads and white spots.

Sensitive skin

Features

A fragile skin is defined as susceptible to reacting negatively to irritating physical or chemical agents
At sight, sensitive skin is thin, flaky and easily irritated
To the touch, sensitive skin is often warm, sometimes dry
Sensitive skin is more subject to the early formation of wrinkles and other skin blemishes typical of photoaging
The function of skin barrier, often heavily altered, makes this type of skin highly susceptible to external aggression

Proper cosmetic treatments

The cosmetic treatment to improve the appearance of this type of skin must be extremely delicate. Cosmetics must be chosen carefully: discarding those that are aggressive, irritating and allergenic, preferring those that are delicate, moisturizing, emollient and free of dyes, nickel, cobalt and chromium.

For the cleaning of sensitive facial skin, it is necessary to use mild detergents to avoid unpleasant sensations of stretching of the skin, flaking, dryness and redness.

When necessary, it is possible to supplement the diet with supplementation of specific supplements formulated with antioxidant vitamins and essential fatty acids.

It is also advisable to avoid excessive and prolonged sun exposure and, of course, to always protect the skin with a generous layer of high protection sunscreen.

Elder's skin

Features

Visually, a type of aging skin shows spots (eg sun lentigo), marked wrinkles, dark circles and pronounced bags.
The dermis thins out, while the skin becomes less turgid
The skin is much more sensitive to mechanical trauma
When touched, the skin of the elderly is not very elastic, rather wrinkled and very relaxed
The aging one is a type of skin that is extremely susceptible to the effects of solar radiation
A senescent skin is much more at risk of melanoma

Proper cosmetic treatments

The skin of the elderly requires an intervention on several fronts: it is important to combine a topical treatment with an oral supplementation with antioxidant supplements that can limit or limit the damage caused by free radicals.

Cosmetic products for mature skin generally contain these substances:

Moisturizers and anti-wrinkles (eg creams with hyaluronic acid)
Antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E, polyphenols)
Depigmenting, capable of inhibiting melanin production (eg alpha-hydroxy acids)
Exfoliants and cellular turn-over accelerators (glycolic acid creams)
Sunscreens (containing chemical or physical filters that shield from UVA and UVB rays)

Mature skin requires more specific cosmetic treatments also for the lips and eyes.

Baby skin

Features

Infantile skin is extremely delicate and sensitive compared to that of an adult.

The skin of the newborn and the small child differs from that of the adult for the following characteristics:

Thinner dermis and epidermis
Reduced melanin content
Low hydrolipidic film
Poor immune defenses against bacteria and fungi
slightly higher pH (6.0-7.4)
Strong tendency to diaper redness

Proper cosmetic treatments

Cosmetics that are interested in baby products focus on delicate cleansers, talc, deeply nourishing and moisturizing creams, and sunscreens.

It is recommended to pay particular attention to the cleansing of the child's genital areas, which are very delicate due to the typical diaper irritation.

It is also necessary to always apply a generous layer of sun protection on the child's skin before sun exposure, which must be moderate anyway.

Male skin

Features

Compared to female skin, the male one differs for the following characteristics:

The concentration of collagen fibers is greater
The skin is much thicker
Particularly developed hair system
Increased sebum production
More dilated pilo sebaceous follicles
Greater predisposition to acne
Male skin tends to age much faster
The low male propensity to apply creams and beauty products can contribute to damage the appearance and texture of the skin

Proper cosmetic treatments

Cosmetic products made "for male skin" are generally formulated with the same ingredients found in normal beauty products. In general, however, cosmetics for male skins have a lighter texture, are slightly less fragrant and less oily than products for female skin.

The male skin tends to be oily; therefore, cosmetics intended for men are specifically designed to absorb quickly without leaving any shiny effect.

Also important are the cosmetics that act on male adiposity: for this purpose, many specific cosmetics have been made with a draining, firming and slimming action.