SKIN HEALTH
Knowing your skin type and understanding how best to care for it will reward you beyond just having healthy looking skin. While we pay attention to our skin because it’s such an important part of our appearance, there are other important reasons to understand it and take care of it.
Your skin plays many crucial roles in contributing to your overall health, one of which is as your first line of defence against the environment and microbial attacks. Each of us has a unique skin microbiome (a community of bacteria, mites and viruses) that works together with our immune system to protect us from bad bacteria and help keep us healthy. The health of your skin and its microbiome can directly impact your overall health. So, maintaining healthy skin is about more than just appearances.
Read on to find out about the different skin types, how to know what skin type you have, changes that can occur to your skin and finally, some suggested skin care products to use for your specific skin type.
A well-balanced or “normal” skin type is not always the norm. But, if you’re lucky enough to have it, you’ll find that it’s not noticeably oily, dry or sensitive and it will be smooth, firm, supple and generally blemish free. A normal skin type is characterised by barely visible pores and a healthy looking, even complexion.
Find out more about well-balanced skin type here.
With a combination skin type your skin can be dry or normal in some areas and oily in others, particularly on the T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin). A combination skin type is characterised by pores that look larger than normal, blackheads and shiny skin (occurring mainly in the T-zone).
Find out more about combination skin type here.
A dry skin type can be characterised by invisible pores, dull complexion, tight skin (particularly after washing) and visible lines.
Find out more about dry skin here.
A very dry skin type can be characterised by invisible pores, dull complexion, flakiness, tight skin (particularly after washing), visible lines and wrinkles and easily irritated skin.
Find out more about very dry skin here.
Sensitive skin is easily prone to irritation, allergic reactions, redness, blemishes, or inflammation, caused by many different factors, such as allergens, the weather, your diet, pollution, stress or even certain skincare products.
Find out more about sensitive skin here.
An oily skin type is a result of your sebaceous glands producing too much oil, often making your skin look shiny or greasy, with blackheads and pimples.
Find out more about oily skin here.
Here are some steps for how to know your skin type:
Perform a blotting test: You can also perform a blotting test to determine if you have oily or dry skin. Press a tissue against your face for a few seconds, and then observe it. If the tissue has oil on it, you likely have an oily skin type. If there is no oil, but your skin feels tight and dry, you likely have a dry skin type.
If you’d like an easy way to help you determine your skin type, take our skin type finder quiz.
Yes, your skin type can change over time due to various factors such as hormonal changes, ageing, environmental factors, lifestyle habits, and skincare routine. For example, someone who had oily skin in their teenage years may develop dry skin as they get older. Similarly, women may experience changes in their skin type during pregnancy or menopause due to hormonal changes.
Changes in the environment can also affect your skin type. For example, moving to a different climate, exposure to pollution or harsh weather conditions, or spending more time indoors can all affect your skin's hydration levels, texture, and appearance.
Lifestyle habits such as diet, stress levels and smoking can also affect your skin type. A diet high in sugar and processed foods can increase inflammation in the body and lead to acne-prone skin. Similarly, high-stress levels can trigger hormonal changes and increase oil production in the skin, leading to breakouts.
Finally, changes in your skincare routine can also affect your skin type. Using the wrong products or overusing certain skincare products can disrupt your skin's natural balance and lead to changes in texture, oil production, and hydration levels.
If you notice changes in your skin type, it's important to adjust your skincare routine accordingly and consult a dermatologist if you have any concerns or persistent skin issues.
Now, you’re ready to shower. Firstly, try to avoid using water that’s too hot, as it can dry your skin. Next, you want to consider how to apply shower gel on your body.
Helpful hint: Applying shower gel to your skin using your hands uses more product, so you’ll want to take note of how much body wash to use. The best and most economical way to apply shower gel is with a loofah, sponge, puff or face cloth. These also help create a luxurious lather and to exfoliate your skin (using a gentle circular motion all over the body).
If you’re wanting to use natural based products, then a natural loofah, sponge or cotton-based pufff or face cloth is going to be your best choice. There are also a number of synthetic versions of these, but be sure to avoid anything that’s too abrasive so you don’t irritate or break the skin. You only need a teaspoonful or two of shower gel to get the job done.
Helpful tip. Wash your hair before your body. This way you make sure that whatever is washed from your hair doesn’t remain on your body.
Once you’ve towel dried after your shower, apply a good moisturiser to help keep your skin feeling soft, smooth and hydrated.
You’ll use a shower and bath oil in much the same way that you would a shower gel. When you get into the shower or bath, wet your skin with warm water, then pour some shower oil into your hands and rub them together to form a lather. You can then gently massage the shower oil into your skin so that it penetrates deeply for the best results. When you get out of the shower, you’ll find that your dry skin looks and feels soft, smooth and supple.
Maintaining a good skin routine does more than just leave it feeling and looking good, it also helps to keep it healthy. Using a shower oil will help to lock in your skin’s natural moisture, keeping it feeling hydrated and nourished without feeling greasy. Many shower oils are also gentle on itchy or sensitive skin and may help to relieve symptoms (source).
The skin on your face is more sensitive than other parts of your body, so it’s generally better to stick to cleansers formulated specifically for your face.
Shower gel can be used as a substitute for shampoo, with some of them made for both your body, face and hair. However, if this isn’t the case, your shower gel can be a little harsh on hair and may strip it of its oils.
At Sanex, we create products that help to keep your skin performing at its healthy best. We carefully select ingredients and have a team of scientists who work tirelessly on formulas that nourish and hydrate. Take a look at a few of our products and discover their great benefits:
Sanex Zero% Normal Skin Shower Gel
This caring shower gel will help you respect your skin and the planet each time you shower. Dermatologically tested and developed with carefully selected ingredients, it contains no sulphate, no soap or colourants to reduce the risk of skin irritations, and its biodegradable formula helps to respect the environment.
Sanex Expert Skin Health Sensitive Shower Cream
This soothing shower cream has been expertly developed for your sensitive skin to help it feel protected and healthy. With an advanced formula including a prebiotic and postbiotic complex, our shower cream supports your skin’s microbiome – its natural first layer of defence. Dermatologically tested and with 0% sulphates, it soothes sensitive skin while respecting its natural pH.
Sanex Expert Skin Health Head-To-Toe Kids Body Wash and Foam Bath
Our children’s body wash and foam bath has been expertly formulated to gently cleanse and care for your children’s delicate skin, while supporting its natural barrier. The advanced formula targets bad bacteria on their skin and protects the good – the microbiome – making it more resilient and less prone to dryness and irritations.
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