Do you get a mild panic attack when buying facial washes, serums and moisturizers because you are never sure if it’s the right fit for your skin? Investing in good skincare can get pricey but it’s totally worth it if you get a product that makes you look your best. It’s time you felt great about your choices the next time you buy skincare. It can be an empowering feeling when you leave the store, purchases in hand, knowing you picked the right item for you and weren’t just swayed by a pushy beauty advisor.
Lets put this issue to bed, shall we? We can have this all sorted out in no time. Here is my two-step test.
Step one. Wash your face with a mild cleanser. Make sure that all traces of skincare and makeup are gone. You want your skin naked.
Step two. Wait for an hour. When time is up, observe the state of your skin. How does it look and feel?
- Dry skin. Feels tight an hour after washing your face. It could also be itchy and flaky. Pores are almost invisible. The best products for you include tissue-off cleanser and very emollient face creams.
- Normal skin. Feels comfortable, smooth, supple and elastic. Skin looks healthy. Creamy foaming cleansers and light-weight moisturizers work great for this skin type.
- Oily skin. Feels greasy, looks shiny. Pores are visible. Alcohol-free toners and oil-free moisturizers are recommended for oily skin.
- Combination skin. You can see all three skin type descriptions in different parts of your face. Nose, chin and forehead are oily but cheeks and eye area feel dry. Use a gentle wash-off cleanser, an alcohol-free toner along the t-zone, and a light-weight moisturizer.
Here are a few good skin care practices for everyone:
- Do not wash your face more than twice a day.
- Everyone needs to apply moisturizer after every wash.
- Do not be tempted to over cleanse, this will get the sebaceous glands on your skin acting on overdrive creating oilier skin.
- Exfoliate twice a week.