Skin care products are specifically formulated for certain skin types. Using the wrong products on your skin may disguise your skin's true tendencies. For example, harsh treatment of normal skin may make it seem dry, while poor cleansing of combination skin may make it seem oilier than it really is. Hormones, weather, diet, and other factors can also affect changes on your skin.

Wash your face and do not apply any skin care product to it for the following hour. Then press a tissue to your forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose:

  • If there's no oily residue on the tissue, you have normal skin.

  • If skin particles appear on the tissue or are evident on your skin, you have dry skin. 

  • If all areas reveal oily residue, you have oily skin.

  • If some areas of your skin leave an oily residue (i.e., your T-Zone - forehead, nose, chin) while others do not, you have combination skin. Combination skin is very common.

Once you've determined your skin type, follow these basic steps.

Cleansing & Toning
Hydrating/Moisturizing
Firming
Anti-Wrinkle

Caring for Normal Skin

  • Wash your face every day, twice a day with a gentle cleanser or a low-alkaline soap (Note: the high alkaline or pH level of most commercial soaps may be irritating to women with dry skin).

  • Use a light moisturizer.

  • Protect your skin with sunscreen
    (minimum SPF 15).

  • Avoid products that are very oily or drying.

Caring for Combination Skin

  • Wash your face once or twice a day with a gentle cleanser.

  • Use a light moisturizer on the dry parts of your face (those not in the more oily T-zone area, which includes your chin, nose and forehead).

  • Use a gentle alcohol-free toner at least once or twice a week to remove excess oil.

  • Apply a oil-free sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) when you are exposed to the sun.

Caring for Dry Skin

  • Clean your skin with "superfatted" soaps (contain fatty ingredients such as cocoa butter, lanolin) or creamy cleansers no more than one or two times a day. Avoid highly alkaline products as they may irritate your skin

  • Moisturize your skin every day. If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to apply a heavy cream at bedtime in addition to your daily moisturizer

  • Protect your skin from further dryness by using a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15)

  • If your skin is also sensitive, avoid products with fragrances or dyes

Caring for Oily Skin

  • Wash your face gently with a mild, non-irritating cleanser, no more than once or twice a day. Don't over scrub. Too much scrubbing can be irritating

  • Avoid using creamy moisturizers and sunscreens 

  • Use a gentle alcohol-free toner at least once or twice a week to remove excess oil

  • If you think your acne is beyond self-treatment, see a Dermatologist. A Dermatologist can help you diagnose your type of acne and provide you with a personalized treatment regimen that works for you

  • Sun-tanning may temporarily dry out oily skin and camouflage pimples, but acne usually flares up again as the skin begins to shed dry and dead cells caused by sun exposure. Apply a  oil-free sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) when exposed to the sun.