Your skin is unique to you. Taking the time to learn your skin’s specific needs can help you choose the right products to create a more healthy and balanced complexion.

Why does skin care matter? Our skin is our body’s largest organ with many components, underlying structures and multiple functions. Our skin is the window between our body and our mind, our inner soul and the outside world. It is constantly evolving as it is influenced by many factors such as age, genetics, external stressors, hormones, emotional stress, trauma, etc.

Your skin’s health matters, and to better care for it, you need to understand it.

Oily Skin

Oily skin produces an excessive amount of sebum that gives the skin a reflective and ‘shiny’ appearance. It also produces more dead cells on the surface of the skin. The combination of the sebum and keratinized dead cells lead to the accumulation of clogged pores. Break-outs, blackheads and inflamed comedones are just a few of the common potential problems derived from oily skin. In addition to its acneic appearance, oily skin has a dull complexion with visibly large sized pores. With the right products and routine, oily skin can easily be blemished free and healthy looking. The needs of an oily skin home care routine are:

• Removing makeup
• Cleansing
• Exfoliating twice a week
• Purifying mask; twice a week
• Oil free moisturizer

Soulful Tips!

• Do not use alcohol based products as they ‘strip away the skin’. As a response, the skin will overproduce its natural oils to overcompensate.

• Apply your moisturizer by performing a gentle soothing massage on your face to stimulate circulation. This increases your body’s natural cell regeneration by promoting tissue oxygenation and cleansing away impurities

Dry Skin

Normally, your skin contains a lipid barrier that retains moisture. Unfortunately, water loss through the skin’s outer layer can occur when the lipid barrier appears deficient. Skin becomes fragile, dry and delicate. Environmental changes such as cold temperatures and strong winds cause further irritation to the skin. Dry skin has a rough and scaly appearance. It is more prone cracks and fissures which can be painful especially in sensitive areas such as around lips and eyes. Without the proper nourishment, protection and care, dry skin can age faster. The needs of a dry skin home care routine are:

• Cleansing with a soft milk cleanser.
• Gentle exfoliation. 
• Protective day cream.
• Concentrated night cream and serum.
• Softening and nutrient-based mask: once a week

Soulful tips!

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and did we say hydrate? 8 glasses of water a day is a must!
• Avoid harsh soaps as they leave a drying film on the skin.
• Use your washcloths and towels with care. Pat your skin when you’re trying to dry it off instead of rubbing it to reduce the risk of irritation and injury.
• Do not overheat your house in the winter as hot air is often dry.
• Don’t forget to wear gloves when stepping outside in the winter months. Protect your hands from chapped and cracked dry skin.
• Don’t forget to protect your lips and eyes! A good quality eye or lip serum can protect the most sensitive areas on your face.

Sensitive Skin

Any skin can be sensitive at certain times under any given condition. But true sensitive skin generally suffers from impaired protective function making it thin and fragile. Sensitive skin can easily react to sun exposure, allergens and environmental pollution causing irritation and painful reactions. Rashes, itchiness and flare-ups can be overwhelming. The right products and home care can make a true difference. The needs of a sensitive skin home care routine are:

• Soft water based-cleanser
• Using warm, not hot, water
• Avoiding harsh astringents and exfoliants
• Protective day cream with SPF. Products that are gentle & fragrance free

Soulful tips!

• Avoid direct sun & heat. Use SPF protection.
• Avoid hot water and steam.
• Avoid irritants such as fragrances, scrubs, detergents, etc.
• When trying a new product, always try a new product one at a time for a few days. This helps you identify if ever you were to have a reaction.

Combination skin

Normal/combination skin can leave us with a sense of confusion in our skin care routine and product choices. Skin is partially oily and partially dehydrated or normal. Typically, the T-zone is oily resulting in acne, and the cheeks may show signs of dryness. The key approach with combination skin is to understand the specific needs of each area of the skin and using the right products accordingly. Caring for such skin often requires a “combination of products”. For example, you can chose a clay mask for the T-zone and a moisturising mask for those dry cheeks. The needs for a combination skin care routine are:

• Cleansing
• Using a toner helps balance the skin
• Moisturise
• Gentle exfoliation
• Combination masks; once-twice per week

Soulful tips!

• Use a moisturiser that is not heavy so it doesn’t add additional oil to the T-zone.
• When using a new product, try a small amount and test it for a month before introducing a new product.
• Double mask according to specific areas and needs.
• Maintain a solid a home care routine to keep skin balanced.

Conclusion

Your skin is constantly evolving throughout your life. How you took care of your skin a decade ago is very different from how you take care of it today. Because of it’s constant changes, knowing your skin type will allow you to understand its needs and nourish it properly. You deserve healthy skin.

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Natural Sole Wellness Centre is a wellness facility with a team of holistic & health care professionals. The material supplied on this page is provided for informational purposes only. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or replace your primary health care professional. Always consult your primary health care provider prior to starting a new professional product, treatment or service. In case of a new product purchase, discontinue use if allergic reaction occurs.

We respect the rights of your privacy. We do not sell your e-mail address to anyone nor your personal information. Your personal information may only be shared with a third party supplier when a purchase order for custom orthotics, footwear or compression hosiery is placed.