When it comes to determining a person’s skin type, it can often be a very confusing process. However, there are five basic skin types, which are oily, normal, dry, sensitive, and combination. Each type comes with its own set of pluses and minuses. But all can be successfully balanced and managed with the right skincare products.

A feeling of tightness is a good way to recognize dry skin even after moisturizer is applied. This can be corrected with a moisturizer with built in humectants, which are ingredients that attract and lock in moisture. The up side of this skin type is that it hardly ever breaks out. The down side is that this type is the first to get fine lines and wrinkles. However, the correct products can combat this concern or greatly diminish it.

Normal skin is the most rare skin type, but is the most highly sought after. The goal of every other skin type is to get as close to a normal skin as possible. Normal skin types have an even distribution of water and oil, which makes for a near perfect Ph balance, as well as almost no dry patches or breakouts. It’s important to use products to maintain this type as the natural elements can easily disrupt the natural cycle of the skin.

Combination skin can be a tricky one, although it is possible to manage. Combination skin is most often being comprised of an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and either normal or dry cheeks. The goal is to integrate the areas to result in a more normal skin. There are products that can control the oil, as well as hydrate the drier areas. A beauty professional can assist a person with this.

Oily skin is often acne prone skin as well. The skin is overproducing oil to makeup for a lack of water in the skin. This will often result in clogged pores, following with breakouts. The important thing here is to add water based moisture, whereas to not clog the pores. Hydration is needed here and not oil. There is a definite difference in the two when it comes to caring for this skin type. Also over stripping the skin with pure alcohol is not good either, as this will result in an overproduction in oil, thus causing breakouts. Gentleness is key, by using a water based moisturizer and a non abrasive astringent.

Sensitive skin is also known as reactive skin. Calming products is key to this type of skin, as nothing else will work unless this concern is addressed first. Products that don’t irritate the skin, and can form a protective barrier are the best ones to purchase. Also, go with a physical sun block, as this will sit on top of the skin and not penetrate it, as chemical sunscreens do.

A skilled esthetician or beauty consultant can determine your skin type by asking just a few key questions. If you are in doubt, you should always consult a professional, because using the wrong products is counter-productive for the skin. The good news is, regardless of your skin type, there is a product made for you.

Author Bio: Felicia Jenkins is a writer for BeautyForNormalWomen.com, which offers beauty tips for women over 60, cosmetics reviews and money saving coupons, like Lauren Hutton coupons, for popular beauty stores.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: beauty tips,beauty tips for women,beauty tips for women over 30,beauty tips for women over 50,beauty