Skin Types vs Skin Conditions

As a skincare expert, I’m frequently asked what the difference is between skin types, skin conditions, and how customers can navigate their skin and improve upon its natural beauty. Having worked with thousands of women, I can say with confidence no two dermis’ are the same. We live in different environments, have unique genetics, and indulge in different diets. The key is to find out what category your skin falls under and how you can make the most of it.

Let’s start by taking a look at common skin types that most women fall under.

Common Skin Types

• Dry Skin: Dry skin is characterized by flaky, sensitive and perhaps even painful skin. A lack of moisture is the most common tell-tale sign that your skin type is overly dry.
• Normal Skin: Normal skin is typically smooth in appearance, has pink overtones, and barely noticeable pores. Most women with normal skin have very few if any blemishes or flaky spots. Additionally, a balanced moisture and keratinization production is also a distinguished mark of normal skin.
• Oily Skin: Overactive sebaceous glands and lipids produce too much moisture and oil on the surface of the skin creating, oily skin. This skin type is traditionally susceptible to blackheads and acne. For those of us who do suffer from oily skin, blemishes wreak havoc and create a constant battle.
• Combination: Combination skin simply refers to skin that is dry in some spots and oily in others. For women who have combination skin, T-zone oiliness is quite common.

Remember that your skin type can change from season to season and day to day. Hormones and environmental factors contribute to skin changes in every woman.

Skin Conditions
Skin conditions are quite different from skin types. Our environment and genetics determine the condition of our skin. Not every woman suffers from a skin condition, however. Some of the more obvious skin conditions include:

• Sun Damage: Pigmentation is a visible sign of sun damage, but damage is not always noticeable with the naked eye. The best way to combat sun damage is by preventing it with a great daily SPF.
• Acne: While acne can develop during your teen years, some women struggle with blemishes their entire lives. Applying the Clarifying Detox Mask twice a week will clear pores and leave a balanced complexion.
• Dehydration: A lack of water and moisture contributes to dull skin. Applying a thick, luxurious moisturizer like the Extreme Recovery Cream will leave skin feeling plump and hydrated.

What’s the Difference?

Skin types, skin changes, and even aging skin can have a dramatic impact on your facial appearance. The difference between skin types and skin conditions comes down to the way it is treated. Your skin type will determine your daily facial routine. The makeup you wear, the lotion you use, and even what you consume directly affects your appearance. Your basic skincare needs are affected by the type of skin you have.

Skin conditions, on the other hand, can refer to temporary conditions of the body. Pregnancy, menopause, psoriasis, and a host of other illnesses fall under the skin condition category. The difference is the permanence of skin types vs the impermanence of skin conditions.

Aging skin and our bodies change overtime, which makes it all the more important to see a specialist on a regular basis.

Have questions? Ask me below!

xo,
Colleen