The Basics! Skin Types!

It is important that you know the type of skin you have so that you'll know how to take good care of it. And also to know what are the best products to use to handle your skin type. Knowing your skin type will not only help you save money over products your skin type doesn't need but also save you time and inconvenience from trying these products you don't really need.

In my case, I have a combination skin. My t-zone is very oily but the sides of my mouth are dry and the rest of my skin is normal. I am actually having hard time dealing with it before and it took me quite some time to figure my skin type until I attended my make-up class.

I have always been a fan of moisturizer even before I know the benefits I get from it. I just like using moisturizer because it makes my skin soft and prevent my skin from looking dull. The problem, however, is that my face has become so oily because I didn't know my skin type then and I didn't know that there is a specific product for my type of skin.

This particular entry is about the different types of skin (face), what are its characteristics, what your skin needs, and what I think the best type of foundation to use for a particular type of skin.

I will not, however, go into details about the products that your skin need or the details of the foundation for your skin type because I will make a separate entry for that.

We all know what skin is but to further explain it check this link...

Skin Types:

1. Normal Skin Type

Characteristics: 

- neither too oily nor too dry;
- usually small to medium pores with smooth and even texture;
- few to no breakouts;
- healthy color with water and oil content in skin is balanced;
- usually small pores with smooth and even texture;
- cheeks are the driest area but not excessive and may experience shine on forehead, nose or chin.

Needs/Care:

- pH-balanced products;
- exfoliate once or twice a week;
- moisturize with lightweight creams and lotions;
- sunscreen to keep it healthy.

Best foundations:

- all types of liquid;
- all types of cream;
- mousse;
- tinted moisturizer;
- mineral;
- two-way cake;
- BB cream.

2. Dry Skin Type

Characteristics: 

- feels tight after washing/cleansing;
- lacks emollients, less elastic and may look flaky (sometimes with red patches);
- usually has small pores;
- feels rough, uneven and dehydrated;
- show fine lines and wrinkles faster than other skin types;
- looks good when young but very prone to aging as you age;- very often has mature skin.

Needs/Care:

- products containing antioxidants and emollients;
- heavy moisturizer;
- plenty of water intake;
- limit sun exposure.

Best foundations:

- moisturizing liquid;
- mousse;
- tinted moisturizer.

3. Oily Skin Type

Characteristics: 

- shiny and looks greasy especially on t-zone area which is the forehead, nose and chin;
- usually has large, visible pores;
- frequent breakouts;
- prone to whiteheads, blackheads and blemishes;
- wrinkles less;
- few signs of aging like fine lines.

Needs/Care:

- oil free products;
- noncomedogenics;
- oil absorbing products;
- cleanse at least twice a day to prevent dirt accumulation.

Best foundations:

- oil-free liquid;
- mousse;
- cream to powder;
- mineral;
- two-way cake;
- gel based;
- two-way cake; 

4. Sensitive Skin Type

Characteristics: 

- sensitive to many products;
- burns and flushes easily;
- usually itchy, blotchy and thin and delicate;
- very prone to rosacea;
- usually has fine pores;
- cheeks are the driest area but not excessive and may experience shine on forehead, nose or chin.

Needs/Care:

- hypoallergenic products;
- fragrance free and mild;
- without chemical sunscreens;
- alcohol free.

Best foundations:

- water-based liquid;
- mousse;
- tinted moisturizer;
- mineral;
- two-way cake;
- BB cream;

5. Combination Skin Type

Characteristics: 

- has patches of both dry and oily;
- t-zone area is oily;
- dry cheeks and around the eyes and mouth areas;
- larger pores on t-zone.

Needs/Care:

- regular cleansing, toning and oil-free moisturizing on oily areas;
- mild cleansers but heavier creams on dry areas.

Best foundations:

- liquid;
- cream to powder;
- mousse;
- mineral;
- two-way cake;
- BB cream;

Those are the basic skin types and knowing your skin type will help you find the products that you need quicker and saves you amount of money wasted over products that are not suited for your skin type.

I hope you find this blog entry helpful. Please feel free to drop some comments and questions and I'll do my best to respond to it.

some source materials: makeup class, wikipedia, looking younger, makeup manual