Oily Skin

If, when you look in the mirror, you see a dull or shiny, thick complexion, enlarged, clearly visible pores, blackheads, pimples, or other blemishes, you have oily skin. This type of skin is defined by heightened sebum production, known as seborrhea. This can be triggered by several issues like genetics and hormonal changes and imbalances, stress, make-up products that irritate, or medication. 

Unfortunately, this type of skin is prone to various forms of acne, especially during puberty, and comedones, which are also known as blackheads and whiteheads. And, if you believe having oily skin comes with fewer wrinkles, in reality, this is partly true. While you might get fewer forehead lines because the extra sebaceous glands give you a thicker dermis, loss of collagen doesn't bypass oily skin, and deep lines will appear, but usually on the lower half of your face.

To take care of it properly, there are a few things you should consider. Though it might be tempting, don’t wash your face more than twice daily and after you sweat a lot, never pick, pop, or squeeze your pimples, don’t scrub, always use gentle cleansers, and, when you shop for skincare products and cosmetics, look for the word “non-comedogenic,” which means they won’t clog your pores. And, of course, don’t forget to take care of skin aging and do everything to prevent wrinkles!

Dry Skin

When people say dry skin or, more scientifically, Xerosis, we immediately think of deep lines, and, even if all skin types are prone to wrinkles, there's a reason for that. Dry skin produces less sebum than it should and doesn't retain moisture or build a protective shield against external influences, increasing the appearance of lines and pronounced wrinkles, giving you a dull, rough appearance and red patches.

The dryness can be caused by a lack of epidermal lipids such as fatty acids, ceramides, or cholesterol, which are necessary for a healthy skin barrier function. Also, a deficiency of natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) that help binding in water, especially urea, lactic acid, and amino acids, leads to dry skin.

But UV radiation from sun or tanning beds, windy or cold weather, indoor heating, ingredients in cosmetics, medications, as well as long, hot baths and showers can generate or worsen dryness. Keep in mind that these external factors can influence all skin types, and the result is a compromised skin’s barrier function, visible wrinkles, and itchy, irritated, or inflamed skin. To care for dry skin, use mild, gentle beauty products and cosmetics, take shorter showers and baths, use a humidifier, don't let indoor temperatures get too hot, avoid sun exposure and scrubbing, and always moisturize.

Combination Skin

As its name says, combination skin is a mix of a dry and oily complexion: an oily T-Zone, caused by an overproduction of sebum, and dryer cheeks, as a result of a lack of sebum and a corresponding lipid deficiency. The so-called T-zone can differ from one person to another, some having a slim zone, while others a more extended area. Combination skin is prone to a shiny appearance, blackheads, and more open pores that look larger than normal. But, with the loss of collagen and aging, combination skin also brings you wrinkles, and, since you’re the lucky owner of two types of skin, you should consider extra care, especially when it comes to those dry areas. 

Using a gentle face cleanser day and night, regular exfoliation, moisturizing, and sunscreen no matter what the season or your outdoor activity are mandatory aspects of your pampering routine. And, keep in mind that when it comes to moisturizing, things can get tricky. You will most likely need a lightweight, water-based, oil-controlling moisturizer in your T-Zone, but a richer formula for your dry areas. These areas might show wrinkles before the oilier ones, like your forehead, so be sure to moisturize them correctly.