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4 Skin Care Personalities: Which Are You?

4 Skin Care Personalities

Minimalist, Trend-Seeker, Quick Fixer, or Connoisseur?

 

I’ve been a minimalist since childhood.

While my friends were chatty about the last skincare and makeup products, hair wands, and gels, taking a mall trip to visit Sephora and spending their allowance on little vials of this or that, I was happily clueless. 

Today, as I start to see signs of skin issues in my 30s, I do what I can do to keep my skin healthy, but my ultimate dream is still to live on a deserted island where (in my magical alternate reality) my skin is naturally buoyed and kept supple and glowing by a totally naturalistic lifestyle. *sigh* 

While that may be far from my reality, the heart of it rings true for me. I don’t want to spend time worrying about my skincare, or money lining my shelves with new products. To put more focus on my skin than I’m comfortable with, I’ve learned would only make me anxious and obsessive about my skincare. For others, it’s a completely different story. My friend LOVES spending a weekend evening trying out new products and reading article after article about their effects. She has beautiful skin because that works for her. A sharper focus on her skin and time spent on skincare is a form of self-love and pampering. For me, a simple facial cleanse, a serum and a quick moisturizer with SPF are all I need for my skin to feel good and keep healthy while keeping stress on the issue at bay. 

We all have a skincare personality; the trick is to recognize it and learn how to roll with it. Going against the grain of what works for you (and that might change through different seasons of your life), will result in more frustration, stress and oh-just-forget-it outbursts than is good for your skin. 

 

1. The Minimalist

You favor a quick cleanser, and a moisturizer to make your skin feel more comfortable and less tight, but you aren’t over-fussy with brands or expensive products. You want utility and prefer a more natural approach that weaves well with your lifestyle. 

  • Pros: You won’t spend too much time worrying in front of a mirror.
  • Cons: You might experience some premature aging if you become neglectful of your skin.
  • If You Do One Thing: Choose a few good products to address skin moisture, skin suppleness, and an exfoliating cleanser. 

 

2. The Trend-Seeker

You expect quick, visible results from your skincare, and always look for a new product that might work better than your last investment. You have several pots of moisturizer, cleanser and masks on the go, ready to use for your skin’s changing needs.

  • Pros: Open to advice, Enthusiastic, Keeps a consistent routine 
  • Cons: Poor effective may be had on sensitive skin from switching up products and trying new things so often
  • If you do one thing: play around with non-essential products, but keep a consistent core product base.

 

3. The Connoisseur 

You take skincare seriously, are well versed in the latest products, but unlike the Trend-Seeker, you’re not looking for a quick fix. You don’t mind taking the time to use a multi-step program, or investing in new technology with long-term trial periods. 

  • Pros: You’ll find what works and have fewer negative reactions to products.
  • Cons: Maintaining this level of commitment can be time-consuming and expensive. 
  • If you do one thing: Don’t forget that diet, exercise and lifestyle have a huge impact on the way your skin looks and behaves. You may find it easier to choose a new do-all cream with multi-benefits to cut out a step or two of your regimen.

 

4. The Investor  

You’ve found a range of products you love and suit your skin. You stockpile when there’s a special offer on and see no reason to look for anything new. You’ve done your research and you’re investing in your long-term skin goals, and aren’t expecting to see any immediate effects on your overall skin health. 

  • Pros: less time spent worrying about skincare 
  • Cons: You could be affected by tachyphylaxis (when a product stops working for you from overuse). 
  • If you do one thing: Take inventory of your skin once a year for any changes due to aging, pregnancy or climate changes. Have a rotating arsenal of multiple products to interchange and avoid tachyphylaxis. 
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Know Your Skin Type

Is your skin normal, dry, oily — or a combination of all of the above? The answer isn’t always as simple as looking in a mirror. Many of us experience changes in our skin based on the climate we’re in, our hormone levels, and how old we are. And since the current state of your skin will influence the products you choose to cleanse, moisturize, and protect your skin, it’s important to get your skin type right.

Skin is generally classified into one of four categories: normal, oily, dry, and combination. To help us understand the differences, EverydayHealth.com sought out the knowledge of Susan Van Dyke, MD, a dermatologist with Van Dyke Laser and Skin Care in Paradise Valley, AZ. “Your skin type can change as you age, and other factors like genetics and even illness can play a part. It’s multi-factorial,” Dr. Van Dyke says.

Normal skin, which has a good balance of moisture, small pores and an even tone, is the goal of most skin care regimens. Most people have normal skin, Van Dyke says, but to maintain its good condition, it’s important to minimize its exposure to the sun. A facial sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is ideal for preventing wrinkles and other sun damage. (Try NIA24 Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30.)

“Put it by your toothpaste and use it,” Van Dyke says. “It doesn’t matter if it is snowing or raining — get in that habit so you always have it on. Incidental sun exposure is what gets you.”

Quieting Oily Skin

Oily skin is identified by an excess of oil (the technical term is sebum) on the face. Some people with oily skin begin to feel greasy only a few hours after washing. “A very oily person would feel the need to wash their face between noon and 5 p.m., because oil has built up during the day,” Van Dyke says. Oily skin can be an inherited trait, but it can also be caused by puberty, which causes oil glands to go into overdrive. You may also notice more oil on your “T-zone” because of all the oil glands in the forehead, nose, and chin.

People with oily skin generally don’t need a regular moisturizer, but sunscreen is still necessary to reduce exposure to UV rays. Choose an oil-free sunscreen, suggests Van Dyke says, one that’s specifically formulated for the face and are less likely to create blackheads and clog pores. “There are plenty of oil-free sunscreens available,” Van Dyke says. “Read labels and try samples of different ones. There’s no excuse not to use sunscreen anymore.” (We like Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30Murad Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30, and DDF Weightless Defense Oil-Free Hydrator UV Moisturizer SPF 45.)

Soothing Dry Skin

Dry skin, on the other hand, suffers from a lack of natural moisture — there’s little oil to act as a surface barrier and lock in moisture. People with dry skin feel a tightness about their face, and their skin is often irritated. Flaking is another symptom, but it’s not always a sure sign of dry skin. “You can have flaky skin and not be dry,” Van Dyke says. Sometimes, severely dry skin can become itchy and painful, leading to a condition called eczema.

Treatment of certain medical conditions can sometimes lead to dry skin. For example, breast cancer treatment may stop hormone production which could in turn affect the quality of your skin. “This will throw people into a menopausal situation at an early age,” Van Dyke says. “Suddenly, there’s no oil production.” Naturally-occurring menopause can have the same effect; most women begin to experience drier skin as they hit their late forties. To care for dry skin, use a gentle, soap-free cleanser, and moisturize adequately. (We recommend Neocutis Neo Cleanse Gentle Skin Cleanser, and follow up with NeoStrata Ultra Smoothing Lotion.) A second application of moisturizer may be needed during the day, Van Dyke adds.

Balancing Combination Skin

Combination skin is a blend of both oily and dry skin. People with combination skin usually find that their oily skin is concentrated in the T-zone, while their cheeks remain dry. Combination skin can be influenced by genetics and, again, by puberty, when oil glands increase their production of sebum. Sometimes a variety of products are needed to treat combination skin. “You may have to treat different parts of the face slightly differently,” Van Dyke says. For example, a mild cleanser and moisturizer may be needed on the cheeks, while an anti-acne product with benzoyl peroxide might be necessary on the T-zone. (Try Glytone Mild Gel Wash together with DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel 5%.)

If you’re still not sure about your skin type or the best way to nourish it, consult a dermatologist who can recommend a skin care regimen ideal for your skin type. Then visit SkinMedix.com for the best prices on the world’s leading cosmeceuticals!

What is your skin type?

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