Healthy Skincare Tips for Every Skin Type

We all want clear, healthy skin, but figuring out how to achieve such a goal can feel complicated with so much varying advice out there. One reason some skin advice might seem to conflict with others is that certain routines and products work differently on different skin types. So, breaking down which routines and products will work best for you, will come down to what type of skin you have.

Know your skin type

The first step in developing a skin care routine is to determine your skin type: dry, oily, combination, normal, or sensitive. Based on that, you can tailor your regimen to meet your specific needs.

A person’s skin type is largely determined by how much oil, or sebum, their pores produce. If they produce a lot, the skin becomes oily. If they produce too little, the skin becomes dry. Combination skin has oily sections, which are usually on the forehead, nose, and chin, and dry sections, typically on the cheeks and around the eyes. As you might guess, normal skin has normal oil production.

On the other hand, sensitive skin is characterized more by its reactivity to irritants. Redness, itchiness, and irritation often occurs because of a damaged skin barrier, which is the outermost layer of the skin that shields against environmental damage, pollutants, and bacteria, while preventing moisture loss.

Understanding your skin type will help you to choose the cleansers, moisturizers, and other products that work best with your skin, and avoid products that might make matters worse.

Dry skin

Dry skin can appear flaky, scaly, or rough; it looks dull and has a tendency to become cracked and inflamed. Skin often becomes dry because it doesn’t produce enough sebum, which normally helps keep it moisturized. Skin can also become dry if it is overwashed, overexfoliated, or from certain skin conditions, like eczema or psoriasis.

Tips for dry skin:

If you have dry skin, limit yourself to short showers only once a day, and try to avoid hot water.
Wash with a gentle cleanser that doesn’t contain alcohol or fragrance. After washing, pat your skin dry and then apply a moisturizer, making sure to reapply throughout the day.
Choose a thick, cream-based moisturizer that contains emollient ingredients and ceramides.
Use a gentle exfoliator once a week to remove buildup of dead skin cells.
See a dermatologist to get treatment for conditions like eczema or psoriasis—these may require prescription creams or medications for relief.
For a more indulgent moisture boost, try a hydrafacial.

Oily skin

Oily skin is shiny and greasy, often with enlarged pores; it can be prone to pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Oily skin is caused by an overproduction of sebum, and is sometimes related to hormones.

Tips for oily skin:

Oily skin should be washed twice daily with a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide cleanser to help keep pores unclogged; however, the skin should not be scrubbed.
After cleansing, apply an oil-free moisturizer. Look for products that say “non-comedogenic,” meaning they won’t clog pores.
Products with niacinamide can help reduce sebum and acne.
Special treatments, like deep cleansing facials, blue light therapy or certain lasers, can help reduce pore size, improve skin texture, and reduce acne.

Combination skin

Combination skin is dry in some spots, such as the cheeks, and oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). Combination skin often requires treating the various areas of your face differently.

Tips for combination skin:

Use a gentle cleanser and exfoliate weekly to keep your skin looking clear and more even.
Products with niacinamide, salicylic acid or other sebum-reducing ingredients can be used on the T-zone, while products with heavier moisturizers, like ceramides, can be used on the dry areas.
Treatments like blue light therapy can still be helpful for oily areas without drying out other areas.

Normal skin

Normal skin is balanced, not prone to redness or breakouts, and not sensitive. But even if you’re one of the lucky ones with normal skin, it is still important to follow a healthy skincare routine. Normal skin still requires the basics that every skin type needs—and using the wrong products can still lead to overly dry or oily skin.

Tips for normal skin:

Follow the basics: wash your face daily, exfoliate 2-3 times a week, apply a moisturizer formulated for normal skin, and wear sunscreen.
Avoid products like salicylic acid, which can eventually lead to dryness.
Products containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C can help maintain moisture levels and keep skin healthy without overdrying or making the skin oily.
Treatments like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and chemical peels can help reduce minor signs of aging and hyperpigmentation (like freckles and age spots) that still occur with normal skin types, while also giving skin a healthier glow.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin easily becomes red and inflamed. It may sting, burn, or itch upon application of almost any new product, especially one containing fragrance or preservatives. Sensitive skin and a damaged skin barrier can be related to underlying skin conditions (such as rosacea) as well as changing hormone levels, stress, sleep deprivation, and environmental factors.

Tips for sensitive skin:

To cleanse skin without stripping skin of lipids, avoid foaming face washes.
Calm the skin using products that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as green tea or oatmeal.
Choose a sunscreen with a physical blocker (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) rather than a chemical blocker as the active ingredient.
Avoid products with fragrances, salicylic acid, retinol, alcohol-based toners.
Choose mild exfoliants formulated for sensitive skin and not harsh scrubs.
Use products with ingredients like emollients, lipids, panthenol, polyols, and beta-glucan to help repair your skin barrier.
Try to reduce your stress levels and get 7-8 hours of sleep.
See a board-certified dermatologist if you are suffering from rosacea. Symptoms include redness, visible blood vessels, inflammation, acne-like breakouts, or a bumpy or thickened skin texture.

Skin tips for all Skin types

While an overall routine and the products people need vary from skin type to skin type, some skincare tips are universal. These include:

Eat a healthy diet, including a lot of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats (like those from fish, nuts, olive oil, and avocado).
Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks as much as possible.
Avoid smoking and keep alcohol intake to a minimum.
Wear SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, even when it’s cloudy outside. Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate against skin type!

Your local skin experts at forefront dermatology are here to help

Establishing a relationship with a board-certified dermatologist is an important step you should take to keep your skin healthy, especially if you suffer from an itchy, painful, or irritating skin condition.They will help you identify your skin type and determine what will work best to get or keep your skin healthy.

If you or a family member have a skin concern or would like to schedule a consultation, find the Forefront dermatologist nearest to you to schedule an appointment or to learn more.