The one Dimensional Approach

Health Guides
The one Dimensional Approach
Skin Care

Dry? Oily? Combination? Sensitive? We have all heard the usual words to describe skin types. But what do they actually mean? The age old way of categorizing your skin is based on the oil and water ratio. Depending on this ratio and the skins reactivity, skin is categorized in various types: Dry, Oily, Combination or Sensitive.

Identifying your skin type: The tissue issue

When you wake up in the morning, wipe your face with a dry tissue. Use the following chart to analyse your skin type:

Normal Skin Type

Normal skin is the most common of the skin types. It is the skin type we all wish we had! It is usually soft and plump with small to medium size pores. Normal skin has good elasticity and is smooth and firm to the touch. It has an adequate amount of water and lipids, and is balanced, so it is neither greasy nor dry.

Dry Skin Type

Dry skin is characterized by a dull, rough complexion with red patches. Dry skin is sometimes normal and not oily, but sometimes it can be fine and delicate. Alternately, this skin type is temporarily dry when exposed to physical elements such as sunburn, burns, cold temperatures, abrasions, and certain medications. When the skin repairs itself after being exposed to these elements, dryness and flaking usually occurs. Wrinkles appear much faster on it as compared to any other type of skin.

Oily Skin Type

This type of skin is thick, shiny or coarse. The oiliness of the skin can change from day to day, depending on the sun, wind, time of the year, and the weather. The oil glands produce excessive lipids. This type of skin appears shiny, thick, or slightly waxy. Touching oily skin may sometimes leave a residue of oil on the fingertips. Often a chronically oily skin has enlarged coarse pores and pimples and other blemishes. It is prone to blackheads. Pimples or dark shadows are maximum susceptible to this kind of skin.

Combination Skin Type

Combination skin is when one part of the face may be dry while another is oily. The term "T-Zone" refers to the combination skin type where the forehead, nose and chin are oily, but the cheeks and the area around the eyes are either normal or dry. If the difference of these two types of skin gets large, it should be treated as two skin types. That is, the central part should be treated as oily skin and the dry area like dry skin. Elasticity may vary on the face.

Sensitive Skin Type

A sensitive skin has a fine texture and is easily irritated by environmental factors, cosmetics or perfumes. The skin burns more easily, and rashes and burning sensations are common. Overexposure to the sun, wind and extreme shifts in temperature are problematic, and certain dyes and perfumed lotions and creams can wreak havoc.