Get to know your skin

Get to know your skin before you start slapping on products

oily skin You have: Enlarged pores, high shine, dull colour, you’re prone to break-outs, blackheads and blemishes. Why? oily skin is common in teenagers but can occur at any age. It is often linked to hormones, birth-control pills, diet, heat and humidity. It can even be hereditary.

Your worst mistake is trying to strip the oil with harsh products. Your skin will pay you back by producing more sebum and become even oilier. Worse still, it will get flaky and break out in pimples. Your best move is to use a gentle cleanser that will remove excess oil while leaving intact the barrier of fatty acids that protects the skin. Avoid over-cleansing – twice a day is enough. And don’t skip the moisturiser because skin needs hydration, no matter how oily it is.

Dry skin You have: skin that feels tight after cleansing, looks dehydrated and rough rather than smooth, has fine lines and redness. Why? Skin tends to get drier as you age and the oil-producing glands become less active, which can be exacerbated by exposure to sun and wind, central heating and air conditioning. Women’s skin tends to become much drier after menopause. Your worst mistakes are using harsh cleansers or soaps, hot water, cleansing your face under the shower, exfoliating more than once a week. Your best move is moisturise!

Combination skin If your skin is dry on the cheeks and oily in the T-zone of forehead, nose and chin, then stick to gentle products aimed at oilier skins and boost moisture with a hydrating cream in the areas that need it most.