How to Take Care of Your Skin Type
By Cameron Sinclaire
The top layer of your facial skin is known as the stratum corneum, and is far more delicate than the rest of the skin on your body. It’s important that we treat our face differently than we treat the rest of our skin. Body skin is naturally thicker and drier, resulting in a very hydrating lotion, but it can sometimes be too oily for your face and often lead to clogged pores and an overly-oily complexion. Skincare creams for your face are meant to cater to different conditions such as sensitivity, anti-aging, and blemish control. But just because products are labeled as facial skincare, how do you know it’s meant for your face?
How to Identify Your Skin Type
Sometimes, it can be a challenge to identify your skin type when you don’t know the signs you’re looking for. The first step to skincare is understanding the four different skin types: oily, dry, combination, and normal. Each type requires and benefits from different products and in order to make sure your skin is getting the best care, you need to know what it needs. So what kind of skin do you have? Well, if after thirty minutes your skin appears shiny, you likely have oily skin. If this shine is limited to only the t-zone (your forehead, down your nose, to your chin), then you probably have combination skin. Dry skin is when your face feels tight and flaky. If after thirty minutes your skin still feels hydrated and comfortable, then you have normal skin.
Oily Skin
Cleanser → Exfoliant (2-3x a Week) → Toner → Serum/Oil → Day Moisturizer → Sun protection
Oily skin can often have:
Enlarged pores
Shiny complexion
Blackheads, pimples, and other blemishes
One common mistake people often make with oily skin is skipping the moisturizer. They think that since their skin is oily, it’s already hydrated. However, if you don’t moisturize your face regularly, your skin can often produce more oil to try and make up for the dehydration. When caring for oily skin, make sure to use products specific for your skin type. Avoid products that have an oil base, and try products that are water or gel-based.
Developing a proper skincare routine will help regulate the oils produced by your skin. Here are four tips to help control your oil and leave your face looking bright and refreshed.
Tip One: Cleanse in the morning and evening. G.M. Collin developed the perfect cleansing foam to help deep clean clogged pores to prevent breakouts, removes excess sebum, and evens skin tone.
Tip Two: Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the skin’s surface and should be done two to three times a week after you cleanse your skin. It helps to unclog pores, prevent cell and product build-up, and maintain a dewy glow. A good exfoliant also helps prep the skin for the rest of your routine, with the dead skin cells cleared from the surface, your products will penetrate deeper and quicker into the epidermis. G. M. Collin makes a high-performance, dual-action toning and exfoliating gel enriched with micronutrients and natural enzymes to reveal smooth, supple, and luminous skin.
Tip Three: Use a toner. Toner helps your skin absorb the rest of the products used in your routine while combating hyperpigmentation and gently refreshing your skin.
Tip Four: Use an oil or serum meant for your skin type. The G.M. Collin Puractive+ Essential Oil Complex effectively soothes and refreshes acne-prone skin without causing dryness, while also leaving the skin looking healthy, matte, and soft to the touch.
Tip Five: Lastly, moisturize in the morning and evening. This is, arguably, one of the most vital steps in your skincare routine. All skin types need moisturizer, even oily skin. Look for lightweight, free of oils, and water-based products for the best results.
Dry Skin
Cleanser → Exfoliant (2-3x a Week) → Toner → Serum/Oil → Day Moisturizer → Sun protection
Dry skin can often have:
Almost invisible pores
Dull, rough complexion
Red patches
Flaky skin
Controlling your dry skin, especially as the seasons change, isn’t always easy. The shifting weather has your skin feeling tight, irritated, and flaky -- so, how can we fix that? Using intensely hydrating products meant dry skin is the first step to gaining the moisture and radiance back.
Here are four tips that will help leave your skin feeling hydrated and soothed:
Your Dry skin can often crack and peel, resulting in irritated, itchy, or inflamed skin.
Tip One: Cleanse in the morning and evening with G.M. Collin’s Hydramucine Cleansing Milk that’s meant to gently remove skin impurities and leave a satin finish -- adding moisture back to the skin.
Tip Two: Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the skin’s surface and should be done two to three times a week after you cleanse your skin. It helps to unclog pores, prevent cell and product build-up, and maintain a dewy glow. A good exfoliant also helps prep the skin for the rest of your routine, with the dead skin cells cleared from the surface, your products will penetrate deeper and quicker into the epidermis. G. M. Collin makes a high-performance, dual-action toning and exfoliating gel enriched with micronutrients and natural enzymes to reveal smooth, supple, and luminous skin.
Tip Three: Use a toner. Toner helps your skin absorb the rest of the products used in your routine while combating hyperpigmentation and gently refreshing your skin.
Tip Four: Use an oil or serum meant for your skin type. The Hydramucine Optimal Serum by G.M Collin increases the skin’s ability to restore and maintain hydration and regenerate its moisture barrier.
Tip Five: Lastly, moisturize in the morning and evening. The Hydramucine Cream by G.M. Collin gives an immediate feeling of comfort and a radiant appearance to the skin. While achieving that glowing complexion, you’ll also improve the elasticity and suppleness of the skin.
Combination Skin
Cleanser → Exfoliant (2-3x a Week) → Toner → Serum/Oil → Day Moisturizer → Sun protection
Combination skin can have:
Large pores, especially around the t-zone
Blackheads
Dry patches
Shiny Skin
Combination skin can feel like a challenge to care for. It might need slightly different care in different areas. While your t-zone may produce excess oil, you might also have dry, flaky areas. What products do you use when your skin is oily and dry? The approach to your skincare might be different than other skin types, but there is a routine for you that softens dry patches and combats shininess.
Here are four tips that will help you control both your oils and those pesky dry patches:
Tip One: Cleanse in the morning and evening. Removing any buildup that occurs overnight and then again during the day is important when trying to unclog your pores.
Tip Two: Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the skin’s surface and should be done two to three times a week after you cleanse your skin. It helps to unclog pores, prevent cell and product build-up, and maintain a dewy glow. A good exfoliant also helps prep the skin for the rest of your routine, with the dead skin cells cleared from the surface, your products will penetrate deeper and quicker into the epidermis. G. M. Collin makes a high-performance, dual-action toning and exfoliating gel enriched with micronutrients and natural enzymes to reveal smooth, supple, and luminous skin.
Tip Three: Use a toner. Toner helps your skin absorb the rest of the products used in your routine while combating hyperpigmentation and gently refreshing your skin. The right toner will also remove any oil that your cleanser didn’t. G.M. Collin developed a Puractive+ Purifying Mist meant for oily skin that is purifying, hydrating, and mattifying all in one.
Tip Four: Use an oil or serum meant for your skin type.
Tip Five: Lastly, moisturize in the morning and evening. Having combination skin, it can be difficult to find the right moisturizer. Using a deeply hydrating moisturizer on your dry patches and a more lightweight on your t-zone will help prevent the feeling of heaviness on your oily skin, while still hydrating the places needed.