Basic Care Guide for Your Skin Type

The Right Care Routine for Your Skin Type: A Comprehensive Care and Product Guide

Basic Criteria and Importance of Determining Your Skin Type Correctly

Choosing the right product: Each skin type has different needs. By knowing the answer to the question of how to understand your skin type, you can choose the right products for your skin and minimize the risk of adverse reactions.
Effective facial care: Using products suitable for your skin type helps prevent skin problems and eliminate existing ones.
Healthy and radiant skin: A care routine suitable for your skin type preserves the natural balance of your skin and makes it look healthy and radiant.

Symptoms of Dry Skin:

Feeling of tension
Flaking
Itching
Matte appearance
Proneness to wrinkles and fine lines

Symptoms of Oily Skin:

Shiny and oily appearance
Enlarged pores
Tendency to blackheads, whiteheads and acne formation
Makeup runs easily Symptoms of Combination Skin:
Oiliness in the T-zone • Dryness on the cheeks
Enlarged pores in the T-zone
Tendency to blackheads and acne formation in the T-zone

Symptoms of Sensitive Skin:

Redness
Burning and stinging sensation
Itching
Dryness and flaking
Predisposition to allergic reactions

How to Perform Skin Analysis and Changing Needs

Simple Skin Tests You Can Do at Home

If you are wondering how to understand your skin type, there are a few simple tests you can easily apply at home.

Determining Skin Type with Napkin Test

Cleanse your face: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup or dirt, and pat dry.
Wait: Wait 30 minutes for your skin to regain its natural oil balance.
Tissue test: Press a clean tissue against your face and check for oiliness, especially in your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).

Results:

If the tissue is dry: You may have dry skin.
If the tissue has too much oil: You may have oily skin.
If the tissue has oil only in the T-zone: You probably have combination skin.

Understanding Skin Type with Mirror Test

Cleanse your face: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup or dirt, and pat dry.
Look in the mirror: After 15-20 minutes, look in the mirror and examine the overall appearance of your skin.

Results:

If your skin looks tight and flaky: Dry skin
If your skin is shiny and oily: Oily skin
If your T-zone is shiny and your cheeks are normal: Combination skin
If you have redness or irritation on your skin: Sensitive skin

Skin Type Analysis Through Observation

The simplest answer to the question of how to understand your skin type is to observe your skin regularly. Pay attention to how your skin behaves in daily life.

If your skin is often stretched and flaky during the day: Dry skin
If your skin starts to shine and your makeup runs during the day: Oily skin
If you feel oily in your T-zone and dry on your cheeks: Combination skin
If your skin gets red, itchy or irritated easily: Sensitive skin

Professional Methods to Determine Skin Type

In order to get the most accurate results on how to understand your skin type, it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist. Dermatologists can determine your skin type by examining your skin in detail and can make special care recommendations for you.

Skin Analysis by Dermatologists

Dermatologists use various methods to find answers to the question of how to understand skin type:

Visual Inspection: They examine the overall appearance, texture, and tone of your skin.
Medical History: They will ask about your skin problems, allergies, and medications you are taking.
Skin Tests: When necessary, they can perform tests such as allergy tests and sebum production tests.

Determining Skin Type with Wood's Light

Wood's light is a type of ultraviolet (UV) light that makes different pigments and bacteria in the skin visible. Dermatologists can find a more detailed answer to the question of how to understand skin type by using Wood's light.

Effect of Seasonal Changes on Skin Type

During seasonal transitions, skin care is at least as important as your immunity. During seasonal transitions, the skin can lose its healthy appearance due to sudden changes in weather conditions. The changes in humidity and temperature levels during transitions disrupt the skin's moisture balance. As a result, problems such as oiliness, dryness and sensitivity occur depending on the skin type. Applying appropriate care to the skin's needs during seasonal transitions is of great importance to maintain skin health. It would be good for us to review seasonal skin care practices.

Some of the Skin Symptoms of Weather Change:

Dryness and Flaking: Changes in temperature and humidity disrupt the skin's moisture balance and cause dryness.

Redness and Irritation: External factors such as cold weather and wind can cause redness and irritation.

Skin Tension: With weather changes, the skin may lose its elasticity and a feeling of tension may occur.

Acne and Oiliness: Increased humidity can cause the oil glands to work too much and cause acne.

More Sensitive Skin: During seasonal transitions, the skin becomes more sensitive and more reactive to external factors.

Common skin problems during seasonal transitions are as follows:

Dryness and flaking: Especially in cold weather, the skin dries faster and flaking occurs.

Pore enlargement: When the temperature increases, pores enlarge, which can lead to oil accumulation on the skin.

Skin spots: As a result of exposure to sunlight, spots increase during seasonal changes.

Skin sensitivity: Wind and sudden temperature changes can cause skin sensitization and irritation.

How Should Skin Care Be Done During Seasonal Transitions?

During seasonal transitions, skin care should be organized to help the skin adapt to changing weather conditions. Here are the basic steps to consider:

Moisturizing: With the change in weather, the skin's need for moisture may increase. Therefore, it is important to prevent the skin from drying out by using more concentrated moisturizers.
Use of Sunscreen: UV rays continue to affect the skin during the winter months.
Gentle Cleansers: Instead of harsh products for skin cleansing, gentle cleansers that preserve the skin's natural oil balance should be preferred.
Peeling: Peeling should be applied once or twice a week to cleanse the skin of dead cells.
Regular Care: Creating a care routine appropriate for your skin type and following the routine helps keep the skin healthy.

Customized Care Program and Product Selection for Dry Skin

Dry skin requires more care and attention than other skin types. There are several reasons for this:

Fewer Oil Glands: Dry skin has fewer oil glands than other skin types, so the skin retains less moisture.

Moisture Loss: Dry skin is less resistant to moisture and loses moisture faster.

Tension and Itching: Dry skin often feels tense and is prone to itching. Easy Sensitization: Dry skin is more sensitive to external factors and can be easily irritated.

→ When choosing the right cleaning products, paying attention to the following points will be beneficial for dry skin:

Sensitive Formulas: It is important to choose cleansing products that are formulated for dry skin, taking into account the pH balance. These products cleanse the skin without drying it and maintain its moisture balance.

Moisturizing Properties: Choosing those with moisturizing properties among cleaning products will help meet the moisture needs of dry skin.

Fragrance-free products: Perfume or scented cleaning products can irritate dry skin. Therefore, it would be more appropriate to choose unscented or lightly scented products.

→ One of the most important steps for dry skin care is choosing the right moisturizer. Dry skin needs extra moisturizing and therefore choosing the right product is important.

Moisturizers Containing Hyaluronic Acid: Ideal for dry skin, these moisturizers penetrate deeply into the skin and provide long-term moisturization. They also increase the skin's elasticity.

Creams Containing Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter: These oils nourish and soften dry skin. They also prevent water loss by strengthening the skin barrier.

Moisturizers Containing Glycolic Acid: For dry skin, it renews the skin by removing dead cells and provides moisture balance. It can also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

→ Points to consider when creating a daily routine for dry skin care:

Gentle Cleansing: Mild cleansers that do not dry out dry skin should be preferred. Oil-based cleansers can be used to remove makeup. Water-based cleansers can dry out the skin, so they should be chosen carefully.

Moisturizer Usage: Moisturizing is very important for dry skin. Light-textured, specially formulated moisturizers for dry skin should be preferred. It is necessary to apply moisturizer at least twice a day, morning and evening.

Sun Protection: Sunscreen products should be used to protect against the harmful effects of the sun. Sunscreens suitable for dry skin with at least 30 SPF should be preferred.

Oily Skin Care-Balancing Care Routine and Special Applications

Oily skin type is one of the most common types. If a person cannot correctly identify their skin type, they may use the wrong care product and this will cause more harm than good. Therefore, this skin type should be well known for oily skin cleansing and care. If the sebum produced by the skin is more than necessary, this means that you have oily skin. It is quite easy to identify oily skin type. If the skin thickens, gains an uncomfortable shine, there is acne and pimple formation, lines and flaking occur on the skin, pores are enlarged, and the makeup you apply does not last long, you can easily understand that you have oily skin type. In addition, it is necessary to be careful with sunscreens used in oily skin care; how homosalate containing products are absorbed by the skin and their possible effects should be taken into consideration.

The care routine required by oily skin can be summarized in four steps: cleansing the skin, balancing oil production, moisturizing the skin and preventing the appearance of shine.

How to Clean Oily Skin?

Cleansing the skin regularly and effectively makes oily skin look more refreshed and clean. Therefore, choosing a cleansing gel and foam for oily skin is very important. Toners play a big role in combating pore appearance, which is one of the biggest problems of oily skin. Toner selection for oily skin should be made in favor of products that soothe and tighten the skin. Toners are antiseptic lotions prepared using different formulas and ingredients. People with oily skin can use toners containing alcohol continuously or periodically. However, since using products with a high alcohol content continuously can dry out the skin, the moisturizing stage of the skin should never be neglected.

How to Moisturize Oily Skin?

Moisturizers that oily skin should use should be lightweight and low in oil. The skin tissue around your eyes is extremely sensitive and thin. Therefore, it is necessary to be more careful and careful when applying moisture to this area. Because the eye area reveals oiliness, shine, fatigue and signs of aging much more clearly than other areas of the face. If you wish, you can choose products that are suitable for use on all areas of the face or you can add moisturizers prepared only for the eye area to your skin care routine.

Using Masks and Peelings for Oily Skin

For oily skin, using peeling is very important. Your skin renews itself approximately every 24 hours. This renewal process causes dead cells to accumulate on the upper layer of your skin. When dead cells are not removed from the skin, the appearance of pores and the possibility of skin problems increase. Peeling products allow you to remove dead cells from your skin with the particles they contain. The vast majority of face masks prepared for oily skin are aimed at preventing blackhead formation, tightening the skin and purifying pores. You can accelerate the renewal process of your skin and perform a more effective skin cleansing with face masks that you can use 1-3 times a week.

Sebum Control and Pore Care:

Hormones can cause increased sebum production and oily skin.

This situation can cause pores to form.
Pores can become clogged with sebum buildup.
Clogged pores can cause skin blemishes.
This can lead to skin imperfections such as blackheads.

Individuals who are at risk of having open and visible skin pores can eliminate the possibility of skin pore enlargement by making a few small changes in their lives.

Excess oil, dirt and makeup residue should be removed by cleansing the skin regularly.
Using oil-free, water-based sunscreen can help reduce collagen loss in the skin and prevent enlarged pores.
In cases where the number of pores increases too much, professional skin care help should be sought.
Comedogenic (pore-clogging) products that can clog pores and cause them to expand should be avoided.
Before going out in the sun, you should definitely use a sunscreen suitable for your skin type.
A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can help keep skin healthy.
Creating a regular skin care routine that suits your skin type can prevent pores from becoming enlarged.
Using products and treatment methods that are suitable for your skin and approved by experts will be the most effective way to manage your pores.

People who have pore enlargement problems on their skin should first discuss these ailments with a dermatologist who is an expert in the field. After the causes of pore enlargement are determined after a detailed examination, products suitable for the skin can be determined and medical treatment can be arranged if necessary. If medical treatments do not yield results, pore enlargements can be reduced or completely eliminated with the following procedures;

Chemical Peeling: It can help to achieve smoother and firmer skin by peeling off the top layer of the skin.

Carbon peeling: After applying a black solution containing carbon particles, laser is applied. With regular applications, a significant reduction in pores is observed. The biggest advantage of the procedure is that it can be done in the summer months.

Laser Treatments: Tightens skin and reduces the visibility of pores by encouraging collagen production.

Precautions for Acne-Prone Skin

Most acne-prone skin is caused by hormonal changes. These changes start during puberty, but can also occur during women's menstrual periods or pregnancy. It can also be caused by stress, fatigue, inappropriate skin care products, and some medical care. Acne-prone skin is also genetic. Acne care is one of the top priorities for skin health.

Topical Care Techniques and Product Combinations for Combination Skin

Combination skin type is a combination of two main skin types: oily and dry. There is a mix of oily and dry areas in different areas of the face. It is characterized by skin with an oily area, typically on the nose, chin, and forehead. A gentle cleanser is used morning and evening to remove excess oil and dirt from the skin's surface. After cleansing, a nourishing toner should be used to balance and refresh the skin. People with combination skin should not touch their faces too often.

All skin types need moisture. Therefore, combination skin should also be moisturized frequently. Using non-comedogenic products creates a good effect in combination skin care.

Facial Cleansing For Combination Skin

You can start by choosing a gentle, water-soluble cleanser. Gel-based and slightly foaming cleansers work well for combination skin. Face washing should not be skipped during the day to prevent oil buildup. Faces with combination skin should be washed twice a day, morning and evening. The skin should be exfoliated at regular intervals with the right products.

Moisturizer for Combination Skin

Combination skin needs a non-oily, yet rich moisturizer. Oil-free and fragrance-free moisturizers do not trigger oil production. Products with hyaluronic acid and minerals that are rich in hydration are suitable for daily use. Some moisturizers help prevent acne.

If the T-zone is not too oily and there is little dryness, the same moisturizer can be used on the entire face. It is important to avoid heavy creams that contain oil, as they will make the skin oily and clog pores. Choosing an oil-free, water-based lotion or gel will help maintain the skin’s health by creating adequate moisture balance.

Different Approaches for T-Zone and Cheek Area

Combination skin type is usually a skin type where the forehead, nose and chin area is oily while the cheeks are dry. If the oil glands on the face produce more sebum than normal, a shiny and oily appearance can occur. If combination skin care is not done correctly, pores can become clogged and unwanted results such as acne or blackheads can be seen. The most well-known feature of combination skin is that there are both oily and dry areas on the skin. While flaky skin can occur on the cheeks due to dryness, blackhead tendency, shiny appearance and enlarged pores are common conditions in oily areas. It can be difficult to find skin care products suitable for the entire face because the forehead, nose and chin are oily and the other parts are dry.

Using only products developed for oily or dry skin in combination skin care will not provide satisfactory results. For your daily care routine, you should first choose a cleansing gel for combination skin. After the cleansing gel, you can use a toner for combination skin for freshness. After toner in your care routine, you can provide the moisture your skin needs with a moisturizer for combination skin. In addition, you can prevent the formation of blackheads by cleansing pores from accumulated dirt with a mask for combination skin that you can use 1-2 times a week.

Using products specifically formulated for combination skin:

Treat the T-zone like oily skin. The aim is to reduce the shiny and oily appearance and effectively combat excess sebum by providing a mattifying effect.
Moisturize and relax areas where you feel tense.
You should never use "peeling" treatments, which are too aggressive for the dry parts of the face and stimulate sebum production in the oily parts.

Proper Use of Balancing Care Products

When applying care products, first apply water-based products, then oil-based products; that is, first apply products such as tonic, mist, lotion, serum; then creams and oils.

Before moving on to routine examples, let's briefly explain what all skin care products are used for and how they are used:

Step 1: Cleansing: The first step of morning and evening skin care is cleansing.

It is known that there is no need for cleansers in the morning. However, a well-cleansed skin increases the absorption of other products you will use. And the skin produces sebum at night, the pores close. You can clean your skin with a gentle cleanser in the morning. There is no need for a double-step cleansing in the morning. You can preferably use a face wash gel or oil cleanser.

You can do a two-stage cleansing in the evening. First, you can use facial cleansing oil and then facial cleansing gel.

Oil-based cleanser: Cleanses the skin of oil, oily products, make-up and sunscreen. Applied to dry skin by massaging with dry hands.

Water-based cleanser; Cleans water-based products, dead skin and dirt from the skin.

2. Tonic; Tonics have more than one function depending on their content. They have properties such as moisturizing, purifying, soothing, sebum balancing, skin pH balancing. If there is dirt or residue left from cleansers on the skin, it cleans the pores deeply. They also increase the absorption of products such as serums and moisturizers. Thus, it prepares the skin for skin care products after cleansing. They are suitable for morning and evening use. It is recommended to use acidic tonics in the evening.

Acidic toners are specifically designed to purify the skin. The purpose of non-acidic toners, which have moisturizing properties, is to refresh, soothe and moisturize the skin while preparing it for care.

3. Serum; Serums that contain active ingredients in high concentrations reach deeper layers of the skin than other care products thanks to their fine molecules and offer intensive care for different skin concerns from spots to wrinkles. You can use serums containing arbutin, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid during the day. You can use serums containing retinol, AHA, BHA in your evening care. If you are going to use more than one serum on top of each other, you can order them from less concentrated to more concentrated. Do not use ingredients such as AHA and retinol on the same day.

4. Cream products Products applied before creams allow the cream to be absorbed better. Creams create a protective barrier on the skin. Moisturizers are included in this group. Skin that is not moisturized well is left defenseless, wrinkles more quickly, becomes more prone to blemishes and acne.

5. Oil-Based Products (Serum/Cream): Since oils have a covering structure, they prevent absorption when another product is applied on top. Thanks to their fixing feature, they increase the effectiveness of your care routine by ensuring that your serum or cream is better absorbed.

6. Eye Contour Cream: You can apply it at the last stage of skin care. It is a completely oil-based balm.