Articles

Skin conditions have three main categories. These conditions are comprised of oily, dry, and combination. They all affect us differently and it is best to know how to treat each one.

The Need to Know About Dry Skin

What causes dry skin is a lack of moisture in the outermost layer of the skin. Natural lipids, or fatty substances, are what consist of this skin layer. They keep in moisture thereby leaving the skin soft and supple. If these substances are removed, dry skin results with symptoms such as a rough rather than smooth texture, skin tightness, fine lines or cracks, and in extreme cases deep fissures that have the potential to bleed.

The ways to prevent this from happening are shown through these helpful tips. Moisturizing your skin daily is our first and foremost tip. After your shower pat yourself without rubbing too hard with the towel. Apply the moisturizer with upward strokes all over your face and neck when your skin is still damp. It is worth noting that short, lukewarm baths are much better for dry skin than long, hot ones that strip away the body's natural moisture barriers.

The Need to Know About Oily Skin

Sebaceous glands in the skin producing an excessive amount of skin oil, or sebum, are what cause oily skin. These glands are most found in the neck, face, chest and back regions. The overproduction of these natural and healthy oils give way to the oily skin symptoms of pimples, shininess and blemishes.

The best way to treat oily skin is to be able to remove the excess oil while leaving intact those fatty acids that help maintain the proper functioning and protection of our skin. In a nutshell this is accomplished through gentle cleansing. The key here is to avoid soap as it strips away the skin's natural oils. The right product should be a cleanser that has a low pH level and does not provoke any skin irritation. Overdoing it is not necessary. Two times a day is enough to wash oily skin effectively.

The Need to Know About Combination Skin

The third main skin condition is called combination skin. As the name proclaims, this condition affects people who have a mixture of dry and oily skin on different parts of their body. Mainly this condition causes oily areas to be found along what's called the T-zone. The area this zone covers starts with the forehead and then runs down the nose, mouth and chin. The attributes found along this area are overly shiny skin, a greased appearance, and the presence of blackheads and pimples. The remaining parts of your skin are known to have a feeling of tightness after washing. They will appear flaky and have a rough texture.

How to treat this tricky skin condition? For starters wash your face with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser that doesn't leave your skin feeling tight or dry. Mildly foaming or gel-based cleansers have been known to work the best on combination skin. Avoid bar soaps at all costs. They overly dry your skin while also clogging the skin's pores. One should use a sunscreen that has UVA-protecting ingredients everyday. Using a skin treatment product such as a moisturizer loaded with antioxidants and including ingredients that resemble the function of normal skin is the best way to eliminate the dry sections. Oily skin products that are irritant-free and are pH-correct are advised to be applied at least once daily. Facial skin products that consist of benzoyl peroxide are advised to be applied topically if one has a tendency to get blemishes as part of their combination condition.