Factors that can influence you skin type
Danny Siegenthaler
The following article looks at the different skin types, such as oily, dry, normal, sensitive, mature or a combination of these. It provides a brief description of each of the skin types and what you need to be aware of in order to balance your skin and provides you with approaches to natural skin care that help you make the correct choices for your particular skin.
Skin Types: Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Dull or Mature
Normal skin type
Normal skin is smooth, finely-textured, soft and supple. If you are lucky enough to possess this skin type, treasure it by using light cleansers and lotions and mild toners and fresheners.
Dry skin type
Dry skin is usually thin and delicate and often flaky and prone to fine lines. It sometimes feels tighter than it should. Extremely rich and greasy creams are not good for it because they strangulate the pores, often enlarging them and so creating an extra problem. Use light oils and lotions for moisturising and choose herbal toners, which are mild and not too astringent. Try to restore the pH or acid-alkali balance with the application of such things as cucumber juice or diluted vinegar so that the sebaceous glands are encouraged to function.
Generally speaking, the emollient and hydrating herbs (chamomile, comfrey, cowslip, elderflower, fennel, marshmallow, orange blossom, rose, violet) are the best to use in lotions and toners for dry skin. But there is no hard and fast rule. Astringent herbs can be good for dry skins, for example, if blended with emollient herbs or oils and gels, and many herbs are suitable for all skin types. If the skin is sensitive as well as dry, see the notes on sensitive skin below.
Oily skin type
Oily skin is shiny and coarser-textured, often with enlarged pores. It is prone to blackheads and spots. Don't use alcohol to reduce the oiliness of the skin, as it will only worsen the problem. Many herbal toners are suitable for reducing oiliness and tightening the pores (see list of suitable herbs below). Egg-white makes a nice mild face-mask. Don't over dry the skin; moisturise with a light lotion. Aim to restore your skin's acid-alkali balance so that the sebaceous glands cease to produce such large amounts of oil. Astringent and cleansing herbs are generally the best to choose when treating an oily skin. These are: cinquefoil, clary sage, comfrey, cucumber, dandelion, horsetail, houseleek, hyssop, lavender, lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena, marigold, mint, parsley, sage, witch hazel and yarrow. But don’t forget that many herbs are suited to all skin types and that many of the strengthening and anti-inflammatory herbs (chamomile, cowslip, fennel, lettuce, elderflower, orange blossom, rose, violet) are suitable for oily skins.
Combination skin types
The person with this skin type will have to follow two beauty routines, one for the dry areas, and another for the oily. I think the oily areas balance up more easily in this type of skin than when the whole face is oily, so don't despair.
Sensitive skin type
This skin is usually fine-textured and often prone to reddish veins and patches. Keep to light oils and lotions for cleansing and moisturising, and mild herbal toners and compresses to soothe the skin and reduce redness and veins. It is usually wise for people with sensitive skins to stay away from the stimulating herbs (lavender, lime flower, mint, nettle, sage, southernwood, summer savory, thyme).
Dull skin
Dull skin has lost the bloom of vitality and the soft glow of renewal. It looks matt and lifeless. Its acid balance has slipped. If it is oily or large-pored skin use diluted cider vinegar or lemon juice, or cucumber juice to balance it. If it is dry skin, use buttermilk or cucumber juice.
Mature skin type
Older skin can be toned and softened and restored to much of its former beauty. The skin is a wonderfully regenerating organ, given encouragement. Use a light hand with makeup if you must use it, as this dries and ages the skin.
Other Factors that can influence you skin
The foundation of a healthy beautiful skin is diet. Are you getting sufficient polyunsaturated fats? These are essential to a healthy skin and do not cause facial oiliness. They are found in cereal grains, nuts and cold pressed nut and vegetable oils.
Plenty of vitamin C is fundamental to a beautiful skin, because it builds collagen and elastin, the bonding and structural substances which give tone and resilience. There is no need to resort to tablets. Eat bean sprouts, green and red peppers, black currants, oranges and lemons. Then there are guavas and rosehips, so your diet need not be restricted or dull. There is infinite variety to suit every palate.
Lack of vitamin A can cause dryness of the skin. Eat dandelion, parsley, watercress, carrots, pumpkins, celeriac.
If your skin is unbalanced, either flaky or too oily, or if your lips peel, then check your intake of vitamin B foods. Oats, years, bran, goat's milk, whole rice, sunflower seeds, sprouted seeds and grains are some of the sources.
About the author: Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.
The latest information and news on Skin Care:
WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Prolastil.comProlastil Skin Cream and Eye Serum Scientific UpdateThe products, marketed under the name , Prolastil E-50 work by increasing the amount ...
Spoiler Alert! Aura Laser Skin Care Teases Top-Secret Product
Pharmaceutical skin-care line will be latest innovation for Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care, no stranger to breaking the dermatological mold.Seattle, WA (PRWEB) January 31, 2012 Pay no attention to that revolutionary product behind the curtain! At least, not for a few more weeks, until Aura Laser Skin Care is ready to debut what?s already being heralded as a major skin-care ...
Quick Milestones for Aura Laser Skin Care?s Fractional CO2
State-of-the-art ?resurfacing? treatment is reshaping the skin-care industry ? and redefining Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care, where record numbers of patients are lining up for ?DOT Therapy.? (PRWeb February 02, 2012) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9147777.htm
Aura Laser Skin Care Announces Staff Additions
Busy Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care starts 2012 with biggest hiring spree in clinic?s history, bringing on four new estheticians to meet growing demand.Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) January 29, 2012 Aura Laser Skin Care announced today a major addition to its clinical staff, tripling its number of active medical aestheticians to better serve its rapidly increasing patient base.Katy ...
Health Tip: Wash Skin Properly
(HealthDay News) -- Good skin care can help keep it healthy, moisturized and acne-free.
Aura Laser Skin Care Announces Record-Setting 2011
New products, unique focus helped Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care reach new heights in 2011, setting records for number of patients seen and number of successful treatments.Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) January 30, 2012 Aura Laser Skin Care announced today that 2011 went down as the biggest year in the clinic?s history, with new records set for number of patients treated and number ...
Apsara Skin Care, Inc. Introduces 100% Natural Facial Toners
Apsara Skin Care, Inc., based in San Jose, California, welcomed 2012 with the launch of a new product category of facial toners. Keeping with its clean and green philosophy, all Apsara facial toners are chemical & alcohol free. They are based on rosewater, and formulated using the purest herbal and floral extracts to safely raise the beauty quotient of your skin. Detailed product information can ...
Skin Care for Athletes Uses Indiegogo Campaign for Soap Line for Women?s Shel...
Skin Care for Athletes' Giving Goddess Soaps Launching with Help from On-Line Fundraising Campaign [PR.com]
Aura Laser Skin Care Reports: Man Up
Seattle, Washington-based Aura Laser Skin Care clinic announces surprising findings on skin-care trends, including dramatic increases in number of male patients. (PRWeb February 01, 2012) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9147775.htm
Mango Madness Skin Care Announces Re-Packaged Retinol Cream for Enhanced Potency
Anti-aging skin care product retailer Mango Madness Skin Care, Inc. has announced new packaging for its ReNew Youth? retinol cream in an airless pump for enhanced protection from light and air in a move to enhance the long term potency of the product. [PR.com]