What's your Skin Type/Dry or Dehydrated?

What's your skin type/Dry or Dehydrated Skin?

There's not much you can do about the skin type you're born with, but it's important to take care of it the right way. Here's how.

Article:
Rose Bruins and Anne Church from FAIRLADY



Combination/normal skin
The T-zone (the central part of the face, forehead and chin) is oilier in varying degrees, while the cheeks are drier. Ideally you would need to treat these two areas separately.

Dry skin
This type of skin can be prone to sensitivity, as dryness is perpetuated by temperature extremes, air conditioning and wind, which cause surface evaporation of moisture. It also has a low level of sebum, so is prone to flaking, tightness and chapping. Use products that are rich in moisture and cleansers that are cream- or oil-based, and avoid water-soluble products.

Oily skin
Oily skin is characterized by the overproduction of sebum, resulting in spots and blemishes. Don’t be tempted to strip the skin, as this can cause the oil glands to go into overtime. It can also leave the skin feeling taut and dehydrated, causing the epidermis to shrink and weaken, thereby restricting the oil flow and causing blockages to the pores, leading to breakouts. Use oil-based cleansing products that dissolve sebum and oil-free moisturizers to control shine.

Sensitive skin
Dry and delicate, it is particularly reactive to the environment; some detergents, cosmetics and alcohol can cause irritation that result in a red, blotchy and irritated complexion. Stick to alcohol- and fragrance-free treatments.

The bottom line - There’s not much you can do about the skin type you’re born with – but by taking care of it properly, you can control and maintain texture and radiance. And, make no mistake, the most essential skin saver is protection against excessive sun exposure and pollution – this is guaranteed to slow down the ageing process and keep your skin naturally beautiful.

Help your skin by...
Sticking to a healthy diet – beta carotene converts to vitamin A (essential in strengthening the skin tissue); vitamin C helps collagen production; vitamin E is good for conditioning; and vitamin B is good for repairing.
Supplementing your diet with evening primrose oil; it contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that strengthens the skin cells and stimulates moisture content.
Getting enough sleep, allowing the skin to repair itself.
Exercising, this boosts blood flow.

Dry skin

Dry skin, like the parched remains of a once succulent plant, lacks sufficient nutrients to nourish and feed it. The fundamental need of a dry skin is oil. Oils are vital for the wellbeing of the skin; they keep the surface pliable and young-looking, and act as a natural coating to prevent excessive moisture loss.

When natural oils (sebum) produced by sebaceous glands in the skin are secreted onto the skin’s surface, they act as a protective barrier. Too little sebum results in dry patches, flaking and even peeling skin. Lips become parched and cracked and, as the day goes on, your skin feels drier and tighter.

Dry skin is accompanied by a dull complexion due to the dried out, compacted surface layers lacking blood supply. It tends to look prematurely aged, with the emergence of fine lines and wrinkles.

In addition to environment and climate, hormones, medication, genetics and diet may also play a role. The condition of dry skin can be aggravated by overuse of soap, detergents and toners.

How to treat it

Concentrate on boosting the skin’s levels of nourishment. Begin by treating internally with a diet rich in essential fatty acids, found in oily fish like salmon.

Use topical treatment creams continuously to keep the surface of your skin supple and nourished. Be careful not to use products that strip away your natural oils. The most important step is to nourish your skin with a rich cream that contains more oil than water; this will seal moisture into the upper layers.

Cosmetic oil is also good to use, but should be limited to night use, as it leaves a greasy residue on the surface of your skin. Using an exfoliator at least three times per week helps remove dead cells and improves penetration of nourishing treatments. For maximum moisture, treat your skin to a nourishing mask twice a week after exfoliating.

Dehydrated skin

A dehydrated skin lacks sufficient moisture (water), as opposed to oil, in the superficial layers. Eighty percent of South Africans have dehydrated skin due to our work environment (air-conditioned or heated rooms) and hot, dry climatic conditions; the use of diuretics and alcohol consumption also increases dehydration. Dehydration can affect all skin types, whether normal, oily or dry; to test for dehydration, run the side of your finger up your cheek, if you see fine horizontal lines you know you’re dehydrated. Your skin will also tend to have a dull appearance.

How to treat it

Increase your intake of water (at least 8 glasses a day); avoid further moisture loss through excessive temperatures. Top up the moisture levels in the surface layers of skin with an intensive moisture boost. Use products that contain more water than oil; the aim is to replenish and lock moisture into your skin. Applying moisturiser helps to do just that. Avoid washing your face with soap and apply creams while your skin is slightly moist.