Your alarm clock goes off; it’s 05:30. The kids are starting to stir. Your eyes burn a little while being open. You stay in bed for a whole 120 seconds before chaos ensues. You need to get the kids dressed, fed, wipe off (and up) sloppy kisses, find the kids’ shoes, ensure they have their homework, remember to greet your husband, oh and somewhere in between all of this, you need to care for yourself too. So, with the 60 seconds you have left, you splash some water on your face, apply a quick makeup, and off you go to start the day of constant ups and downs, and this and that. When you finally have the kids back in bed, you take a sip of your ice-cold coffee, splash some water and soap on your face, and head to bed.
Does this sound familiar at all? Well, it does to me. This was me until I realized the importance of skincare and how protecting and caring for my skin is not actually “me time”, but a necessity for overall health.
Why is Skincare important?
DermSpecialists, a Forefront Dermatology Practice, has identified that besides the obvious reason that your skin adds a few layers of protection to your organs, it also makes up 15% of your body weight and weighs about 4 kilograms. Your skin also amounts to approximately 2 square meters and has at least 5 different receptors that respond to pain and touch. This supports the fact that your skin is your largest organ, functioning as a temperature regulator and protecting your bones, muscles, and organs from outside infection and disease.
There is not one person like you, and that means your skin is unique to you too. But when it comes to skin health and care, we have been lucky enough to identify 4 skin types that will enable you to determine the best skincare and health regimes suited for the unique you.
This post will explore these 4 skin types and also highlight 11 skin concerns that you should be aware of, to ensure your skin health is optimal.
The 4 Skin Types
Regardless of your age, gender or ethnicity, we have all experienced at least one of the 4 skin types in our lives. These types are Normal/Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Oily Skin, or Sensitive skin. But have you ever truly been able to effectively identify the symptoms of your current skin condition as it may change from time to time?
Let’s take a closer look at the 4 different skin types.
Normal/Combination Skin
This is when your skin is neither too dry nor too oily but could be a bit of a combination in certain areas. If you experience oiliness and shine on your forehead, nose and chin a few hours after washing it and having normal or dry skin on the cheeks and along your jawline, then your skin is classified as “combination skin”
Sensitive Skin
This classification occurs if you experience stinging, itching, burning, dryness, redness, and acne breakouts as a result of chemicals, stress, and environmental or social triggers.
Dry Skin
This skin type is usually classified when light flaking and skin tightness occurs. This can range from mild to severe where the skin can even be extremely rough and scaly.
Sensitive Skin
This classification occurs if you experience stinging, itching, burning, dryness, redness, and acne breakouts as a result of chemicals, stress, and environmental or social triggers.
By being able to identify your skin type, it will help you understand triggers and skin responses and also enable you to seek the most suited home care regime. It is also important to know your skin type so you can be on the lookout for the 11 skin concerns that may develop.
What are the 11 Skin Concerns?
To help aid your journey to skin health, let’s take a closer look at the 11 skin conditions that may arise.
Aging:
Accumulated sun exposure is the main cause of visible signs of aging. This condition is called photoaging and is characteristic of lax, unevenly pigmented, wrinkled, dull, and lifeless skin.
Fine Lines & Wrinkles:
These first tend to appear around the eyes and mouth and are also primarily caused by sun exposure and photoaging.
Dry or Scaly Skin:
As mentioned above, dry or scaly skin varies from mild to severe flaking and skin tightness and can even become a rough hyperkeratotic disorder.
Acne & Blemishes:
As mentioned above, your skin is blemished if you are acne-prone and have monthly breakouts or breakouts due to stress. Acne can occur on the face, back and chest.
Dark Circles & Crow’s Feet:
The dark circles beneath our eyes become more visible as we age. This is because the skin becomes thinner, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area.
Uneven Skin Tone & Dark Spots:
If you have any areas of discolouration on your face, chest, shoulders, or hands, then your skin is classified as uneven. This condition is usually a result of sun exposure over the years. Age or dark spots, also known as sunspots, are visible signs of photoaging. Your skin can also become discoloured after pregnancy or as a result of oral contraceptives.
Lax or Sagging Skin:
When you lose the tone or firmness of your skin, your skin appears to be lax or sagging. This is most commonly caused by sun exposure or gravity.
Blotchy Skin:
This is classified when your skin is prone to redness. You may find that you flush easily to reactions, heat, and oxidative stress.
Keratosis Pilaris:
This is a skin (follicular) condition that is classified when rough bumps appear around hair follicles, on the back and outer side, or the upper arms and thighs. It almost resembles goosebumps. This is a very common condition and may be cosmetically troubling but it is not harmful. KP will disappear with increasing age.
Dull Skin:
This is classified when your skin lacks radiance or glow. Again, this is usually a result of aging due to accumulated sun exposure. Psoriasis: This is classified when you have severely dry skin that causes scaliness, is uncomfortable and calloused.
Psoriasis:
This is classified when you have severely dry skin that causes scaliness, is uncomfortable, and calloused.
By being able to identify these 11 skin concerns as well as your skin type, it will enable you with the knowledge to seek the correct treatment options to restore and have healthier skin.
At the Renewal Clinic, we stock and use ideal combinations of Neostrata® products. The manufacturing and science behind these products have been backed by their heritage of breakthrough dermatological research and have been designed to, not only give you noticeable results that improve over time, but also to reveal your best skin.
Skincare is never one size fits all. NEOSTRATA®️ formulates their products to tackle a wide spectrum of universal concerns for every skin type and condition.
Visit us at the Renewal Clinic so we can help you care for your skin in the best possible way, with the little time that you have. Who knows, you might just be able to enjoy that warm cup of coffee too! Book your appointment today 066 240 0134
*This post was inspired by NEOSTRATA®️