Starting your skincare journey can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know your skin type.
When I was 12 and got my first pimple, I immediately rushed to grab the first “anti-pimple” cream I could. I used that same brand for four years despite my face barely improving. It wasn’t until I was 19 that my first girlfriend (shut up) actually pointed out my skin type and what I was doing wrong.
Many people will have a similar skincare journey. That’s why we spoke to Dr Shreya Andric, a dermatologist and board member of the Australian Society of Cosmetic Dermatologists, to discuss all of the skin types and how to treat them.
What are the different skin types?
There are five main skin types: Normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive. Each skin type will have its own texture, colour, and behaviour. So, as you can imagine, each has its special requirements for how you treat it. But how do you determine what your skin type is?
While it might sound like busy work, Andric says it’s actually very easy to determine. To get started, you must wash your face, wait an hour, and gauge how your skin reacts.
“If your skin feels tight, it’s dry. If it’s shiny all over, it’s oily. If only your T-zone is shiny, you’ve got combination skin. If your skin gets red or irritated easily, it’s likely sensitive. Normal skin will feel balanced and comfortable.” explained Andric.
It’s also important to remember that your skin type can change throughout life.
Hormones, the environment and, of course, the passage of time all play a role in how our skin type can change. Puberty and pregnancy can make skin oilier, while ageing often leads to dryness. Your skin type could also change if you move to a country with a different climate. For example, if you’ve come from a more humid country to our beautiful yet dry Australia, you’ll need to adjust your skincare routine to account for the change.
How should different skin types be cared for?
If you’ve ever tried a product on your skin that left you unhappy with the results, odds are you might have been using the wrong product for your type of skin. Growing up, a friend recommended I use a heavy alcohol toner. Because I had oily skin until my early 20s, this dried my skin out and actually made me look greasier. This meant I used more toner, only to end that vicious cycle once I finally saw a derm.
Once you’ve defined your skin type, it’s fairly easy to build a skincare routine around it.
Because each skin type has its own needs, you should look at products that complement it. For example, oily skin benefits from gentle, oil-free cleansers and lightweight moisturisers. Dry skin needs rich moisturisers and hydrating cleansers. Combination skin requires a mix of hydration for dry areas and oil control for the T-zone. Sensitive skin does best with mild, fragrance-free products and patch testing before trying anything new. According to Andric, if you’re lucky and have normal skin, a simple routine of cleansing, moisturising, and sunscreen will do you good.
Similarly, you should look to avoid products that tip the balance in the wrong direction. For example, oily skin should skip thick creams and harsh alcohol-based toners, which can worsen things. Dry skin should avoid foaming cleansers and strong acne treatments that strip moisture. Sensitive skin needs to avoid fragrance, harsh exfoliants, and strong actives. Combination skin should steer clear of products that are too rich for oily areas or too drying for dry spots.
Regardless of your skin type, we all need to care for our skin as time goes on. Products like NIVEA’s Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Range can create firmer feeling skin and reduce wrinkles in seven days*. If you’re prone to dehydrated skin, it might be worth looking for a refreshing night cream to add to your routine. NIVEA’s Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Replenishing Night Cream contains ingredients like Q10 and Hyaluronic Acid, which can help to hydrate your skin, no matter your age.
What are common skincare mistakes?
As you can imagine, dermatologists are privy to some of our biggest skincare mistakes and can easily tell what we’re skipping in our own routines. Andric shared that some of the biggest skincare mistakes not only come from choosing the wrong products but also from how we use them.
Andric told us that one of the biggest mistakes she sees is clients overwashing their skin. “Cleansing too often can strip the skin’s natural oils, causing dryness or triggering extra oil production.”
Over-exfoliating was another common mistake, as “too much scrubbing can cause redness and sensitivity”. Not accommodating your skin type changes was another common mistake. “Not adjusting skincare to match seasonal or hormonal changes can leave your skin unbalanced and struggling to keep up,” said Andric.
Lastly, as if years of ‘Slip Slop Slap’ reminders weren’t enough to drill the routine into us, Andric says too many of us are skipping our sunscreen routines. Surviving the Australian sun is hard enough, but all sun damage speeds up ageing and affects all skin types.
How can I incorporate day serums into my skincare routine?
Serums are a solid product for those who want to wake up with refreshed and rejuvenated skin. Who wouldn’t want that? However, like any other skincare product, you must choose one with the right ingredients to benefit your skin type.
Andric said that the first thing you need to know about serums is when to apply them in your routine. If you want to see if a serum works for you, try using it on clean skin before applying moisturiser. If irritation happens, i.e. redness, peeling, or breakouts — it might be too strong. She suggests using it less often or switching to a gentler formula. Also, if you have a sensitive skin type, you should always patch-test first.
Suppose you’re looking for serums rich in antioxidants to treat your skin type and combat cellular damage as time goes on. You can find ingredients like Q10, which visibly firms and reduces wrinkles**, in products like NIVEA’s Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Expert Dual Action Serum and NIVEA’s Anti-Wrinkle Expert Targeted Wrinkle Filler Serum.
Andric also shared what ingredients certain skin types should be looking out for.
If you have oily skin, you’ll want to search for lightweight, oil-free serums with niacinamide or salicylic acid to control shine and breakouts. Dry skin-havers would benefit from hyaluronic acid and ceramides for deep hydration. Because serums can be highly concentrated, those with sensitive skin should look for soothing ingredients like chamomile or aloe vera. If you’re acne-prone, look for retinol or tea tree oil. For anti-ageing, retinol and vitamin C help with fine lines and dull skin.
Should I use a day serum and a night serum?
Whether you incorporate a day and a night serum into your routine depends on your skincare goals. Day serums protect the skin from environmental aggressors like the pesky sun and keep it hydrated throughout the day. Night serums focus on repairing and rejuvenating the skin while you sleep.
So, if your goal is to protect your skin and help it recover, a night and day serum is sure to work a treat. Similarly, however, you’ll want to consider what ingredients your skin needs for a night serum as well.
If you’re wondering which ingredients certain skin types should look out for in a night serum, Andric gave us the cheat sheet (you can look, I won’t tell).
Dry skin benefits from serums that focus on hydrating your skin overnight. These serums will include hyaluronic acid, Q10, ceramides, and glycerin to boost hydration. Similar to creams, you don’t want anything too heavy if you have oily and acne-prone skin. Look for serums that include salicylic acid, niacinamide, or retinol to help control oil and prevent breakouts. Similarly, sensitive skin types need calming ingredients in their serums. You’ll want to search for serums with aloe vera, green tea extract, or peptides to soothe irritation and avoid flare-ups.
If you’re looking for a serum to help with anti-ageing and reducing wrinkles, find one that includes retinol peptides and vitamin C to help with fine lines and dullness.
You can find ingredients like glycerine and Q10 in NIVEA’s Anti-Wrinkle Expert Dual Action Serum.
And there you have it — all your nagging skin type questions answered. Now go off my friends, and treat your skin the way it deserves to be treated.
*Self grading,42 women,2021
**Self grading, 46 women, 2020
Image credit: Material Girls
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