How Do You Work Out Your Skin Type For In-Clinic Treatment?

From skin hydrating boosters to skin tightening injections, a dedicated skin clinic has treatments for every type of skin at every age, but understanding which treatments and skincare products are best for you can be difficult if you do not understand your skin type.

There are five main skin types that people have, each of which varies in how much oil they produce and thus how they react to certain conditions and products. Skin types can change throughout your life, as well, so do not assume that the same product will work for you.

There are a few ways to test your skin aside from asking an expert, but the fastest way to do so is to wash your face with a gentle cleanser, rinse it off, pat your skin dry and wait at least half an hour before putting on any other products.

Check your skin against the typical characteristics of each skin type, and use an oil blotting sheet to check if there is any excess oil on the sheet.

The 5 Main Skin Types

• Balanced (Sometimes known as “normal” skin) – There is enough moisture to avoid dryness but not so much that it causes a greasy sheen, with a smooth texture and minimally visible pores.
• Dry – The skin lacks enough natural oil to keep moisturising, often leading to flaky, scaly, rough and tight skin. Wrinkles are often more noticeable.
• Oily – A shiny, greasy sheen across your face, particularly along the t-zone, as well as blemishes and blackheads.
• Combination – Multiple characteristics at the same time, often leading to a greasy t-zone with dry cheeks and under the eyes.
• Sensitive – The skin is prone to redness, itchiness and irritation, as well as dryness caused by damage to the skin’s natural barrier.

Knowing the skin type you have can allow a skin expert to tailor a range of treatments around your particular needs, as well as give you advice on how to take care of it between sessions.