How to care for your skin type

The skin is our largest sensory organ. It excretes sweat and oil, stores fat and moisture and protects us from heat, cold and pathogens. There are five basic skin types, and each one needs special care.

Conduct this test to figure out what type of skin you have.

1. Cleanse your face with a mild soap. Apply no other skin care products; wait roughly two hours.
2. Press a sheet of tissue paper against your face.
3. Check the imprint.

• Oily skin shows imprints of your forehead, nose, chin and cheeks.
• Normal skin should leave just a glimmer of oil.
• Combination skin leaves imprints of only the forehead, nose and chin.
• Dry skin will leave no visible imprint.

Note: This test does not check for sensitive skin.

Normal skin is largely free from blemishes and has adequate moisture. To care for normal skin:

• Clean skin with a mild, pH-neutral soap or cleansing lotion.
• Apply a moistening floral water (e.g., rose or orange blossom water).
• Finish with a thin application of a not-too-rich cream or gel.

Dry skin is characterized by small pores, wrinkles, scaly areas and a feeling of tautness. Try the following skin care regimen:

• Gently cleanse skin with moisturizing lotions or plant oils.
• Use floral water such as orange blossom water.
• Use rich facial creams, gels or oils.
• Try an exfoliating scrub (once or twice a month).

Oily skin is characterized by large pores, an oily sheen, pimples and blackheads. But despite your overactive oil glands, your skin still needs moisture. A consistent care program includes:

• Regular pH-neutral cleansing with a soap or lotion.
• A clarifying, alcohol-free facial toner.
• An oil, a light cream or a gel with anti-inflammatory properties.
• A weekly exfoliating scrub and follow-up facial mask.

If you have enlarged pores, an oily sheen and perhaps blemishes in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) — but the rest of your skin is often dry — you have combination skin. In addition to using a mild, pH-neutral cleanser, you should:

• Use an exfoliating scrub once a week.
• Apply a moisturizing cream on dry skin in the cheek area and a cream for oily skin in the T-zone, preferably in combination withastringent herbal waters(e.g., witch hazel or sage water).

Sensitive skin may be affected by the sun, detergents and some makeup products. To care for sensitive skin, apply:

• Almond or jojoba oil as a moisturizer.
• Orange peel facial scrubs.