Fact Sheet 17

Your skin type

Doctors say people have different skin types. They can tell which skin type you have by using the table below

Normal Skin

It is very rare to find normal skin, and needs careful handling to maintain the balance between oil production and oil loss.
Normal skin has a clear fresh appearance, rarely develops blemishes and has an even pore size.  There is no evidence of lining or flaking, indicating a well moisturised skin.

Normal skin is characterised by:

• Even texture and pores
• Feels firm to touch

• Texture is even
• Elasticity is good and skin is free from spots or blemishes
• Moisture content is good
• Colour is pink because of good circulation
• No evidence of lining or flaking

Dry Skin

Dry skin is caused by insufficient secretions of sebum, which is the skin's natural oil that keeps the skin soft and supple. Insufficient sebum causes the skin to become flaky and dry to the touch and it will feel dry and tight especially after washing. Dry skin ages rapidly and can be identified by fine lines around the eyes, mouth and neck, which is caused by poor elasticity.

Dry skin is aggravated by dry atmospheric conditions, harsh weather, poor diet and harsh skin care routines.

Dry skin is characterised by:

• Small tight pores
• Flaky skin
• Redness, uneven pigmentation and visible dry patches
• Milia (a type of cyst)*
• Fine texture and skin looks thin
• Tendency to sensitivity shown by broken capillaries
• Signs of premature ageing are common, especially around eyes, mouth and neck. 

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can be caused by dry skin that has been either neglected or treated harshly, or reactions to foods or cosmetics. 

Sensitive skin is characterised by:

• Redness on touch
• Broken capillaries, especially on the cheeks
• Feels tight and uncomfortable on application of products (in extreme cases burning and instant rashes are experienced)*
• High colouring and easily flushes for no apparent reason*
• Feels warm to touch
• Superficial flaking
• Black skins turn darker if they are sensitive
• Skin produces more sebum to protect, causing further oiliness/combination skin problems*

Avoid ingredients such as Beeswax, Wheatgerm Oil and Rose Hip Seed Oil - of course, it does depend on how much is in a product, but these ingredients can suffocate sensitive and reactive skins if they are in higher proportions.

Oily Skin

Oily skin is caused by an over secretion of sebum, so anything that over stimulates the sebaceous glands (oil glands) should be avoided.  For instance:

• Excessive cleansing or handling the skin
• Overheating
• Poor diet

Oily skin easily collects debris and in severe cases lead to cysts and pustules that are found in cases of acne vulgaris

Oily skin is characterised by:

• Shiny patches
• Large open pores
• Coarse skin texture
• Sallow skin caused by sebum holding dead cells on surface
• Blocked pores leading to comedones (blackheads)
• Good skin tone caused by grease protecting skin from dryness
• High moisture content

If you also suffer with a few sensitivities, avoid ingredients such as Beeswax, Wheatgerm Oil and Rose Hip Seed Oil - of course, it does depend on how much is in a product, but these ingredients can suffocate oily, sensitive and reactive skins if they are in higher proportions. 

Mature Skin

Almost everyone over the age of 25 years has mature skin.  As the skin ages it becomes dry because the glands are less active and it loses its elasticity. 

The epidermis grows more slowly and so becomes thinner and facial contours change as muscle tone is lost.

Blood circulates more slowly, therefore nutrients are not as available so new skin cells are replenished less often.

In the same way, waste products are removed more slowly, therefore the skin can look puffy due to water retention.

Mature skin is characterised by:

• Puffiness under the skin
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Hair growth on upper lip and chin that darkens with age 

Dehydrated Skin

Dehydration is caused by insufficient moisture in the skin and can affect any skin type.

It may be caused by illness, excessive sweating, drastic dieting, not drinking enough water or air conditioning.

Dehydrated skin is characterised by:

• Fine superficial lines
• Fine 'orange peel' effect
• Broken capillaries
• Flaking 

Combination Skin

Combination skin is characterised by:

• A T-shape of oily skin that crosses the forehead and runs down the side of the nose and onto the chin
• The pores within the T zone are larger than elsewhere on the face
• A sheen across the forehead, on the sides of the nose and on the chin
• A tendency to congestion of the pores within the T zone
• The skin outside the T zone may be normal or dry

Sun and skin types

Here's what we know about how your skin type affects your chance of getting squamous cell skin cancer

• People who have skin type I, II or III are most likely to get this cancer
• People who have black skin are far less likely to get it.

Having skin damage caused by the sun

If the sun damages your skin, you might get small patches that look different from the skin around them. Doctors call these solar keratoses. They are also called actinic keratoses.

If you've got solar keratoses, you may have flaky patches of skin

• The flaky patches may be slightly raised from the rest of your skin.They may be harder than the skin around them.They may be red, pink or brown.
• They usually appear on areas of your skin that get the most sun, such as a balding scalp, your forehead, your face, and the backs of your hands.

Doctors aren't sure whether these patches are harmful. Some doctors think that the patches are an early form of squamous cell skin cancer And some studies show that solar keratoses can turn into skin cancer. But the chances of this happening are very low, less than 1 in 1,000 in a year.The more of these patches you have, the more likely it is that one will turn into skin cancer So, some doctors think all solar keratoses should be treated.

Even so, treatments for solar keratoses may sting or hurt, especially if you've got lots of patches or they're large. And solar keratoses may get better without treatment, especially if you protect that area of your skin from the sun. So, many doctors now don't recommend treating solar keratoses, apart from keeping them out of the sun.

Types of skin cancer

There are three main types of skin cancer. The main features of all three are described in the table below.

If you have any worries about any skin issues you should always consult your doctor

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information given in this leaflet is accurate, not every treatment will be suitable or effective for every person. All content within Pure and Gentle SkinCare is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Pure and Gentle SkinCare is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of Pure and Gentle SkinCare website or advisers.  Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health as he or she will be able to advise in greater detail.