FAQ's

How do I know what skin type I have?

It is important not to get confused between skin types and skin conditions.  For example a skin type is classified as oily, normal, dry and combination, and a skin condition could be anything from dehydration to acne.

Below is a list of typical symptoms of the different skin types which will help you decide which product is best for you.  If you still have trouble determining what skin type you are please fill out an enquiry form and a qualified skin specialist will contact you to discuss your skin.

Skin Types

Oily:

Oily skin is a hereditary condition that develops due to overactive sebaceous glands. Oily skin can be recognised by its shiny appearence, it feels oily to touch. Pores can look enlarged, particularly in T-zone due to the constant production of sebum.  An oily skin can look dirty when neglected, blemishes are often present.  Hot and humid climates tend to increase oil gland secretion, making the skin oilier.  A person with oily skin can often complain about having "dry" sides.  This can be confusing as a skin can not be oily and dry.  In reality what has happened, is the skin has lost moisture (water) through over drying, not oil.  This is ususally caused by exessive use of astringents, soaps, harsh cleansers/exfoliants in attempt to reduce the amount of oil secretion, and not wearing moisteriser because they feel they dont need one.  While the skin is an oily type, this dryness should be considered as a skin condition and is properly refferred to as dehydration.

Dry:

Dry skin is a result of underactive sebaceous glands, resulting in a lack of oil. Dry skin often feels tight after washing.  The epidermis (top layer of the skin) is thin and often looks flaky. It tends to age prematurely, leading to superficial lines.  Pores are very fine, almost invisible.  Dry skin also tends to be dehydrated, its lack of oil diminishes its ability to retain moisture.  This also leads to premature aging.  Dry skin problems are aggrevated by exposure to the sun, wind, heat and improper skin care.  Dry skin can often feel crepy and uneven.

Normal:

Normal skin has perfect oil flow, it feels neither tight nor greasy. Normal skin looks clear, soft, plump and has a healthy glow.  Normal skin has a smooth texture with no fine lines or open pores.  The use of harsh soaps and scrubs, climate and environment contribute to the deterioration of normal skin.

Combination:

Often individuals will have a combination of two skin types.

Combination Oily Skin- has an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and normal cheeks.

Combination Dry Skin - has normal T-zone  and dry cheeks.

Depending on the severity of 'the combination' you may wish to use different products for the different areas as using the incorrect product may aggrevate the problem.