Skip to main content

Understanding Skin Types: Defining Oily, Dry, and More

A woman with facial skin problems wich acne and blackheads representing Oily skin tpes

Introduction

Identifying skin type isn't as straightforward as MBTI classifications. Factors like aging and daily conditions can change skin types, emphasizing the need for expert advice on skincare products.


Unpacking Skin Types

While skin is categorized into five main types, multiple elements influence each one. Recognize the signs and identify your skin type:
  • Oily Skin Features:
    • Prone to acne
    • Dandruff presence
    • Makeup fading by afternoon
    • Black sebum accumulation on the nose
    • Enlarged pores
  • Characteristics of Dry Skin:
    • Skin prone to drying
    • Increased wrinkles
    • Peeling during cold days
    • Tight feeling post-cleansing
  • What Defines Normal Skin:
    • Balanced characteristics
    • Desired by many
  • Attributes of Combination Skin:
    • Dry U-zone, oily T-zone
    • Predominantly dry but with visible pores and pimples
  • Signs of Sensitive Skin:
    • Sunburn easily
    • Pronounced itching
    • Skin reactions to cosmetic changes

Analyzing Oily vs. Dry Skin Concepts

Contrary to popular belief, dry and oily skin aren't direct opposites. The distinction lies in sebum secretion for oily skin and moisture levels for dry skin. Simply, high sebum defines oily skin, but low sebum doesn't necessarily mean dry skin. Similarly, low moisture indicates dry skin, but high moisture doesn't define oily skin.


Baumann Skin Type Classification

Dermatologist Leslie Baumann introduced the "Baumann skin types" – a categorization into 16 distinct types, much like the MBTI system. They're broadly classified into:

Baumann Classification Chart

  • Dry (D) vs. Oily (O)
  • Sensitive (S) vs. Resistant (R)
  • Pigmented (P) vs. Non-pigmented (N)
  • Wrinkled (W) vs. Tight (T)
While many in the cosmetics industry use these types, critiques argue they're not universally applicable, especially to Asian skin tones.


Tackling Oily-Dehydrated Skin

Oily-dehydrated skin – a phenomenon where skin is externally oily but internally dry – challenges the traditional dichotomy. For such skin, balancing moisture and sebum is key. Recommendations include:
  • Drinking ample water for skin hydration
  • Using mild acid cleansers for gentle cleaning
  • Applying hyaluronic acid for moisture
  • Using non-comedogenic moisturizers

Source:

Image by Mark Mook from Pixabay

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Which sunscreen should I use, Inorganic or Organic?

Overview There are mainly two types of sunscreen: Physical and Chemical.  Inorganic sunscreens are also called Physical Sunscreen or Mineral Sunscreen. Organic sunscreens are also called Chemical Sunscreens. A term Inorganic and organic are derived from chemistry. * Organic Chemistry: The Study of Molecules Based on Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen * Inorganic Chemistry: The study of compounds other than organic chemicals A sunscreen can, of course, have both of these functions. It is called a Mixed sunscreen or a Combined sunscreen, and these days, many brands are developing products like this. Through this post, let's find out what inorganic and organic sunscreens are, and what sunscreens are most suitable for one to use. The difference between inorganic and organic sunscreen. Inorganic sunscreen is a sunscreen that forms a protective layer on the surface of the skin to block ultraviolet rays before they penetrate into the skin. Most product contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxid...

Korean Beauty Trends & Industry News: 23-10-16

South Korea and UAE Finalize CEPA, Positive 'Duty-Free' Impact Expected in Cosmetics Industry South Korea has finalized a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the first such trade agreement with the Middle East region. This deal holds particular significance for the cosmetics industry. Within five years, tariffs on cosmetics will be completely eliminated. This comes as a competitive advantage for South Korean beauty products, particularly since major regions like the U.S., Japan, and the EU have yet to establish FTAs or CEPAs with the UAE. Beyond cosmetics, the deal includes the lifting of tariffs on medical devices, agricultural and fishery products, and appliances, positively impacting a range of South Korean exports. In the energy sector, tariffs on crude oil will be phased out over a decade, likely boosting cost competitiveness for industries that use petroleum as a raw material, including cosmetics. The formal agr...

Misleading Claims in Microneedle Skincare Products: 82 Cases Identified

     Recently, microneedle skincare products have gained significant popularity, but Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has uncovered that over 80% of these products being sold online are making false or exaggerated claims. After reviewing 100 online posts, the MFDS found that 82 of them violated Korea’s cosmetics regulations, leading to requests for the posts to be blocked by the Korea Communications Standards Commission. The misleading advertisements primarily claimed that microneedles could penetrate deep into the skin layers or promised immediate pore reduction, both of which are not scientifically validated for general cosmetic products. Microneedles are a medical technology designed to deliver substances into the deeper layers of the skin, typically used in drugs and medical devices. However, in the cosmetics industry, these products generally do not have the same capabilities. Some companies falsely advertised their products as having effects similar t...