To keep your skin healthy, free from wrinkles or blemishes it is important to know the characteristics of the different types of skin, which can be oily, normal or dry, so that it is possible to adapt the soaps, sunscreens, creams and even the makeup for each skin type.
In addition, over the years a skin type can change, changing from oily skin to dry skin, for example, requiring daily care adjustments to keep skin always well cared for and beautiful. To know your skin type read: How to know your skin type.
Both white, brown and black skin can be oily, normal or dry, and to determine what type of skin it is, the dermatologist is the most suitable professional. Normal Skin
- Normal skin care : To care for normal skin, neutral soaps and moisturizing creams without oil should be used daily. In addition, sunscreen should be used daily in visible areas of the body, such as face and hands, for example.
Characteristics of normal skin: Normal skin has a smooth, velvety texture and is pleasant to the touch, without imperfections and, therefore, typical of babies and younger children. Normally, normal skin appears pink and does not develop pimples or spots.
Oily skin
- Oily skin care : To care for oily skin it is important to apply neutral cleansing lotions based on plant extracts of witch hazel, marigold, mint, camphor and menthol, for example, as they have properties that help to reduce skin inflammation. In addition, people with oily skin should avoid wearing makeup because it leads to clogging of the skin orifices and favors the formation of blackheads. To learn how to care for oily skin read: Home treatment for oily skin.
Characteristics of oily skin: Oily skin, also known as lipidic skin due to the excess sebum it produces, has a greasy, moist and shiny appearance and has a tendency to develop pimples, blackheads and acne, being the common skin type of adolescence. Excessive sun, stress or a high-fat diet can cause oily skin.
Dry skin
- Dry skin care : To care for dry skin, moisturizing creams or vegetable oils, such as aloe vera or chamomile, should be used, for example, adding macadamia, almond or grape seed oil to effectively hydrate the skin. In addition, alcohol-free products should be used, as alcohol further dries the skin, making it rough. Find out how to moisturize dry skin at: Homemade solution for dry and extra dry skin.
Characteristics of dry skin: Dry skin has a dull and scaly appearance, especially on the hands, elbows, arms and legs and, therefore, cracks and flaking may appear in these places. Individuals with dry skin may develop wrinkles earlier than other types of skin, especially on the face because it is the place that is most exposed, being the most common skin type in the elderly. Dry skin can be caused by genetics or due to environmental conditions such as cold, wind or excessive sun or even long baths with hot water.
Mixed skin
Mixed skin is the combination of dry skin and oily skin, and in general the skin is oily on the chin, nose and forehead and has a tendency to dry around the mouth, cheeks and eyes. In these cases, cleansing lotions should be used in the oily area and moisturizing creams in the rest of the area.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is a very fragile type of skin, easily irritated with a reddish color, causing itching, bruising, burning and stinging after applying a new product or in situations of extreme heat, cold or wind, for example. In these cases, the individual should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and the cold, as well as avoid the excessive use of creams and makeup, as it irritates the skin.
If you don't know your skin type, take the test online and find out.
Adequate sun protection
Sun exposure and aging also interfere with skin color, so know what is the best sun protection factor for your skin, because each type of skin has specific characteristics, as can be seen in the following table:
| Skin Types | Skin characteristics | FPS indicated |
| I - Very white skin | The skin is very light, has freckles on the face and the hair is red. The skin burns very easily and never gets tanned, just turning red. | SPF 30 to 60 |
| II - White skin | The skin and eyes are light and the hair is light brown or blond. The skin burns easily and tans a little, turning golden. | SPF 30 to 60 |
| III - Light brown skin | The skin is white, the hair dark brown or black and sometimes burns, but also tans. | SPF 20 to 30 |
| IV - Brown skin | The skin is light brown, burns little and tans easily. | SPF 20 to 30 |
| V - Mulatto skin | The skin is dark, rarely burns and always tans. | SPF 6 to 20 |
| VI - Black skin | The skin is very dark or black, it rarely burns and tans a lot, even if you don't notice it much, because it is already dark. | SPF 6 to 20 |
