What’s Your Skin Type?

So, you want beautiful skin but you aren’t sure where to start. The first step to any kind of skincare enhancements or routine is to know your skin (as only you do). But how do you know? Here is an easy way to figure out what’s your skin type.

Below are some basic descriptions, including likely concerns and general goals for each skin type to help you categorize yourself.

What’s Your Skin Type?

Assuming you don’t have a medical diagnosis, there are 4 basic skin types based on your primary concerns. Since all skin types are “normal,” you won’t see that description used.

Characteristics of Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, enlarged pores, and tend to have breakouts, these are characteristics of oily skin. This doesn’t refer to you if you occasionally breakout – rather, breakouts are an ongoing issue on various areas of your face. Generally you’re looking to mattify your skin – not looking for a dewy look.

Commonly used ingredients in acne skincare are witch hazel, salicylic acid, willow bark, niacinamide, and benzoyl peroxide. Each of these is very drying. While drying seems ideal for oily skin, drying your skin too much actually causes your skin to produce more oil to compensate for the removal of oils. This can actually lead many people to think they have characteristics of oily skin when they don’t.

If you have oily skin, try the ​Beautycounter CounterControl regimen​. It’s made with wintergreen and rosebay willow which help mattify skin, purify pores, reduce redness, and keep skin in balance.

The spot treatment and the acne treatment (a serum step safe for oily skin) each have 2% salicylic acid – the highest amount any over the counter product can have!

Skincare Routines for Dry skin

This group might describe their skin as generally good but in need of a bit of moisture or boosting!

Many of us deal with dry skin at various times throughout the year whether it’s caused by climate, lifestyle (drink more water!!), or genetics. This category is actually the most common (often called “normal”).

When we aren’t hydrated enough, our skin is the first organ our body pulls from, so you’re apt to notice dry skin before much else.

If you’d describe your skin as generally dry or if you notice patches of dry or oily skin, this is you! Your biggest need is consistent hydration. Hydrated skin is supple, plump, and radiant, so let’s look into skincare routines for dry skin…

If this is you, check out ​Beautycounter’s CounterMatch regimen​. This regimen is designed to support (“match”) your natural skin barrier and moisture levels! There’s a sleeping cream for extra hydration. You may find that the adaptive lotion (lightweight) actually works for you morning and night.

Wondering if you need all these steps? See the benefits of facial serum to help you decide.

Fine Lines

As we age, our bodies lose collagen and elastin, so fine lines and eventually wrinkles are bound to happen. Hydration and resurfacing are necessary to help alleviate the severity of such things.

If you find your skin very dry at certain times of year, these products are also a great direction to go – even just seasonally!

Commonly used ingredients in “anti aging” skincare are ceramides, peptides, and retinoids. Retinoids are very strong and can cause an immediate irritation to skin (causing many to believe they have sensitive skin). You also can’t wear retinoids during the day or when pregnant.

When it comes to hyper-moisturizing products, you also want to avoid petrolatum/petroleum. These are often used to make products feel thicker and more moisturizing, but they aren’t clean AT ALL.

If you’re looking for more hydration, gentle resurfacing, and a dewier (glowy) complexion, opt for ​Beautycounter’s Countertime regimen​. Everything from the cleansing oil to the Supreme Cream are hydrating and won’t strip your skin of moisture. The cleansing oil (a one-step cleanser that removes makeup and washes face) is made with Vitamin E, so you won’t feel dry after use.

The radiance serum uses bakuchiol and swiss alpine rose. Bakuchiol gives you all the benefits against fine lines and wrinkles like retinoids without the irritation (read all about the best natural retinol. And it can be worn during the day, is safe for pregnancy, and has received an EWG Deep Skin Score rating of 1 – the cleanest possible grade.

Natural Skincare for Sensitive Skin

This is a common perception of skin. Excluding any sort of medical diagnosis, you’ll notice that you have redness, itchy skin, or just that your skin is sensitive – more reactive or easily irritated by certain products.

While some people do have very sensitive skin, you also want to make sure that your skincare doesn’t have irritating ingredients or fragrances (something that can vary from person to person). Retinols and “fragrance” or “parfum/perfumes” can irritate skin and cause sensitivities.

Sensitive skin can also occur from being overly irritated (too much exfoliation/ peeling) and just dry. Getting your skincare in line can remove sensitivities.

If this is you, start a regimen with just a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF! The ​Counterstart regimen​ is ideal for you!

If you do have a medical diagnosis or have found that most products are too irritating, I can’t recommend Osmia skincare enough! You can see my favorite Osmia products here. I don’t use many of the skincare items because my skin isn’t so sensitive, but the products are clean and provide a complete skincare routine for sensitive skin. Use code HEALTHIERSKIN2023 for 15% off your first order.

Non Toxic Sunscreens for Every Skin Type

Regardless of your skin type, you want to wear SPF on your face every day. Sun exposure leads to hyperpigmentation, dryness, dullness, and increased wrinkles. I always recommend a minimum of SPF 30 or higher and I love a tinted SPF that doesn’t give you a white cast.

Daybird is the best clean tinted moisturizer in my opinion! I also love this Suntegrity one and my friends can’t stop raving about this Dewy tinted moisturizer, so I’ll be trying it soon! Here is a more complete list of non toxic sunscreens!

If you’re looking for brightening, look at these skin brightening products.

Have questions or need a skincare sounding board?
Leave a comment below or email me. I’m here for you!