What is your Skin Type?

please note the pictures featured here are all of real women I have come into contact with**

"One pink glittery face mask for me please! Or what about a jelly cleanser! Mud mask, mud mask, mud mask! And a peel-off mask! A pomegranate and diamond scrub with a grape and lemon foam cleanser!" - Woah sweetheart, before we jump into any of the fun things and the actual reason you are on this page, first ask yourself, what is your skin type? And no, tanned, freckles, dark and pale are not what I'm talking about.

Skincare is one of my favourite art forms and also the only form of science this girl can do, but don't let that scare you! The trick to skincare is first and foremost learning your skin type so that you can understand what products work for you to combat any problems (hello blackheads, flaky forehead, cheek acne, I'm talking to you).

So before we get into the juicy bits, I just want you to remember how beautiful you are in your current skin, look how far you've come with your skin protecting your internal organs, showcasing your growth and giving early warning signs to any possible illness or hormonal changes. Say it with me; THANK YOU SKIN.

So lets get right to it! Despite the whole debate between dry versus oily skin, there are actually seven (or eight, but I'll explain this below) different skin types!

So here they are, how to tell if it's your skin-type and basic skin-care tips:

1. Normal skin

• Consider yourself lucky! This skin type barely experiences any negativity towards products or weather changes and doesn't showcase any forms of sensitivity. Your skin is firm, plump and barely has any fine lines and wrinkles. You are able to tolerate a vast variety of ingredients and can literally play around with most beauty products. However, if you want to keep being lucky, you still have to care for your skin and not just disregard any maintenance. For example, not wearing sunscreen or not hydrating or not washing off any grime can still have a serious toll on your skin!

2. Oily skin

• Well hello there glow-getter! That's this skin type in a nutshell, glowy, shiny, you're basically walking, talking glitter! Blotting sheets and mattifying everything are your best friends and you have trouble keeping makeup and skincare products on! It's not all bad, your benefits are fewer wrinkles (30 going on 13 am I right?). The products you are looking for should be 'non-comedogenic'. Try some oil-free moisturizers and clay masks (ALWAYS MOISTURISE). Top tip: don't wash your face more than you should otherwise you might dry out your pores and cause the production of even more oil.

3. Dry skin (this is where the other skin type also comes in, being Dehydrated skin)

• So no oil, but baby girl has to be careful of wrinkles (me talking to myself because this is my skin type fyi). So a plus is that we have almost invisible pores, but then again the dull, rough complexion and red patches does balance that factor out. Flakiness, sensitivity, itchiness and cracks are all part of the package. The good news is that we can maintain it though! Through moisturizing and temperature control (such as keeping your home warm and moist, did someone say humidifier?).

• Dehydrated skin? DRINK YOUR WATER!! (Don't worry, I've also been there). Is your skin tight with a papery appearance or shows small lines when pinched together? Then your skin is dehydrated as a result of not retaining enough moisture. The best advice I can give you is to use water-based products and drink water. Again, do not over wash your face, drying out your pores is especially unhelpful now.

4. Combination skin

• The most common skin type! Still confused about your skin type? Do you have blackheads, an oily forehead but dry cheeks? Well sweety, that's because your skin type is combination. You'll want to stay away from alcohol-based products and spot treat to restore the balance. I also suggest investing in a proper toner as it is very beneficial in restoring the ph balance of your skin.

5. Acne-prone skin

• Before you start being too hard on yourself, first ask yourself what your environmental factors are; stress? Bad eating habits? Illness? Do you have rosacea (adult acne, which is a very common skin concern)? Acne-prone skin occurs in dry and oil-based skin types. All it means is that your pores clog easily. Be gentle with your skin and yourself. Look for products containing ingredients such as tea tree oil (my personal favourite), salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Also remember there is no shame in seeing a dermatologist to help combat your skin concerns. And baby you are never alone in this (am I right Katy Perry, Crissy Teigen, Kendall Jenner, Emma Stone, Bella Thorne, and Lorde?)

6. Sensitive skin

• This skin type is just that: Sensitive. Whether it be from allergies, genetics or external factors. The results may include redness, itching, burning, bumps, rashes and dry or flaky patches. In this case it is, unfortunately, a trial and error method to get the right skincare products, however, my top tips would be to try products with fewer ingredients and definitely opt for anything with an aloe base or even just aloe itself. Just be safe and look after your skin.

7. Mature skin

• In other words: Aging. Something so normal and inevitable (unless you are Cher, but then again, botox). Everyone's skin ages at a different pace, but still presents universal symptoms including sagging, dullness, dark spots, and dehydration. I think this skin type might be my favourite and what I'm looking forward to because you literally have your whole life story written on your face, isn't that beautiful? Of course mature skin requires a more advanced skincare routine to tackle past damage and prevent future aging signs. Think retinol and collagen, natural oils and nutrients.

Still confused?? That's okay, I have a method here to test for your skin type:

Wash your face thoroughly with a mild cleanser and gently pat it dry or let it air dry (my preferred method). Leave your skin completely bare, i.e. no toner, serums, moisturizer, nothing for about 30 minutes. After the half-hour has passed, examine your skin for any shine or oily blotches and thereafter leave it bare for another 30 minutes. You can now further examine it to determine whether it is parched, especially when smiling or frowning. if your skin feels tight it is most likely dry. if your skin is shiny it is most likely oily. if it is both tight and shiny in some areas it is probably combination. Boom bam, easy as that!

Feel free to contact me if there are any questions or concerns and no matter your skin type, always remember to hydrate, cleanse and protect yourself from the sun! You only have one skin, protect it, nurture it and most importantly LOVE IT! Maybe you'll inspire the next person to do the same.

Keep going, keep glowing, keep growing.

You're doing amazing.

• B x