Skin care and finding the right routine, is much like finding that perfect pair of jeans. How many pairs have you tried on? Which work well on your body type; Low rise, high-rise, boot cut or straight. Do you like jeans with big pockets, small pockets or no pockets at all? Welcome to skin care! Our skin changes through out our lives just like our jeans and thus, so do our skin care routines. So, my first recommendation is to book an appointment with a seasoned, licensed skin care professional. Have an expert give you a personal skin analysis and determine what is best for you.

You are born with your skin type so it’s all about genetics and ethnicity. While your skin can change overtime, an individuals skin type is most often determined by the amount of oil your follicles produce. Skin types include normal, dry, combination, oily and sensitive. The goal in skincare is to balance the levels of oil and water in the skin and to protect the acid mantle (outer most layer of skin). Let’s break it down into categories and find your skin type.

There is one more thing we need to keep in mind when trying to determine skin type and that is called the Fitzpatrick Scale. This is a numerical classification scheme and is a tool used by skin care professionals as part of their analysis. The Fitzpatrick scale, measures the skins ability to tolerate sun. Lighter skin will be more sensitive to sun exposure, will be more reactive and tends to burn more quickly. Whereas, those with darker skin types produce more melanin to begin with so consequently, they can tolerate more exposure. Let’s determine your Fitzpatrick number.

If we combine your skin type with your Fitzpatrick number, we will better understand what products, procedures and treatments will be best for you.

Types vs. Conditions

There is a difference between one’s type of skin and the conditions it may have. Keeping this is mind is an import part of skin analysis and ultimately, will help determine your personal skin care routine. Conditions are numerous and can include dehydration, pigment disorders, redness, rosacea, skin abnormalities, acne and aging. These are just a few of the many conditions that exist. All skin conditions will affect ones routine. The good news; you have the ability to control some of the factors that contribute to many of these conditions by making good product and lifestyle choices.