Treatments for skin ranges due to the different skin types. Knowing your skin type will help determine the correct products and treatments necessary. There are only four different skin types: dry, oily, combination and normal.
Dry skin is characterized by small to no pores, superficial lines and minimal acne. Treatments for dry skin include humectant ingredients, and should include regular exfoliation. Dry skin can also be sensitive to certain products, ingredients and treatments. This means extra care needs to be taken when considering less abrasive products and treatments as to not irritate the skin.
Oily skin is characterized by larger pores, overly active sebaceous ducts, and acne prone. It is best for people with oily skin to use more soluble products such as salicylic acid, and should use gel or foam when choosing cleansers. Those with oily skin generally have lower pH levels, so it is best to find products that balance it. They should also wash regularly because of their higher predisposition to bacteria growth.
Combination skin is characterized by oily skin conditions in the forehead and nose region, and dryer condition on the cheeks and chin. It is the most common skin type, and is best to find products that balance it. Use a cream cleanser if you are going to use a salicylic acid treatment. Those with combination skin should choose between either stronger exfoliants or frequency of use.
Normal skin is neither oily nor dry. They have normal pore size and regular oil production. Product and treatments should be used to maintain the acid mantle because it is typically at ideal levels. Those with normal skin should be more concerned with maintaining, instead of trying to fix different levels through treatments and products. So one of the larger concerns for normal skin is irritating it through more harsh treatments when not needed.
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