It is always important to look after your skin

No matter how old we are, it makes sense to keep your skin in optimal health from a medical point of view well after your 20s and 30s. Needless to say, a dewy-fresh and healthy face is the best asset that you could show to the world in your youth. But, make no mistake. Even when you are into your 40s and beyond, healthy skin will ensure that your body is hydrated and keeps microbes and infections out. The skin is full of nerve endings that ensure you feel the differences in climate and sensations of irritation and pain. If your skin is rough and damaged, you may be prone to greater injuries as you stay insensitive altogether to such stimuli. That’s hardly a good thing!  

However, remember the key to maintaining healthy skin is first knowing your skin type, and then employing the right skin care to look after it.

Know your skin type to look after it better

You’ve probably heard the buzz around skin types of which the broad ones are normal, oily, dry, combination, or sensitive. But do you know which one you have?

It is also important to note that skin tends to change over time. For instance, a person who has oily skin during her teen years may have normal or dry skin as she ages.

An easy to way to determine your type depends on:

• How much water your skin has. That affects its texture and elasticity.
• How oily it is. That affects its softness and glossiness and can give rise to issues like pimples and acne. 
• How sensitive it is. That makes it prone to slight changes in heat, cold, sun’s rays, and common allergens in the atmosphere.

Let’s delve deeper into these skin types.

Normal Skin Type – This is skin that is neither too dry and not too oily. Normal skin has 

• No or very few imperfections.

• No severe sensitivity.
• Healthy, tight pores (that may increase slightly in size as one ages).
• A radiant, glowing complexion. 

Combination Skin Type – One where the skin may be dry or normal in some areas and oily in others such as the T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin). Many people have this type. It will likely require slightly different care regimens for the different areas.

Combination skin can have

• Pores that look larger than normal because they are more open.
• Blackheads in some areas.
• Shiny skin in certain other areas.

Dry Skin Type – This type of skin generally produces lesser natural oils than other types of skin that may cause it to look dull and lifeless. It tends to be rough, flaky, or even scaly, especially on the backs of your hands and arms as well as legs. It often feels stretched or less elastic and gets dehydrated quickly. Dry skin may be prone to showing up more visible fine lines. It also tends to become itchy or irritated.

If you have dry skin, you probably have

• Almost invisible pores.
• Dull, rough complexion.
• Red patches.
• Less elastic skin.
• More visible lines.

Oily Skin Type – Simply put, an oily skin has excess oil on the face, one that produces a constant shiny or greasy appearance. If you don't watch out for your oily skin, its pores can get clogged and enlarged, and dead skin cells may accumulate all over. This tends to lead to a host of issues. Blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and other types of acne are common with this skin type.

If you have oily skin, you may have:

• Enlarged pores.
• Dull or shiny, thick complexion.
• Blackheads, pimples, or other blemishes all over the face, upper back, shoulders, arms.

In case you didn’t know, oiliness in skin can change depending upon the time of year or weather, further aggravating the situation. 

Sensitive Skin Type - It is a delicate skin that needs more care to fight dryness, roughness and overall higher maintenance. Sometimes, it is referred to as irritated skin instead of sensitive, but these terms are synonymous and there are no dermatological differences between them.

Sensitive skin can show up as:

• Redness.
•  Itching. 
• Burning.
• Dryness.

If your skin is sensitive, try to find out what your triggers are so you can avoid them. There are many possible reasons, but often it's in response to particular skin care products.

Common factors that Cause or Worsen “problem” skin:

• Genes.
• Aging or hormonal changes like puberty and menopause.
• Stress.
• Weather changes such as wind, humidity, heat, or cold.
• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun in hot climate.
• Artificial indoor heating and cooling.
• Long, hot baths and showers.
• Chemical ingredients in soaps, cosmetics, cleansers, and other personal care products.
• Medications.

Use these Tips to Ensure Good Skin Health

If you have dry or sensitive skin -

1. Take shorter showers and baths, no more than once daily.
2. Use mild, gentle soaps or cleansers. Avoid deodorant soaps.
3. Don't scrub while bathing or drying.
4. Smooth on a rich moisturizer right after bathing. Ointments and creams may work better than lotions for dry skin but are often messier. Reapply as needed throughout the day.
5. Use a humidifier, and don't let indoor temperatures get too hot.
6. Wear gloves when using cleaning agents, solvents, or household detergents.

If you have oily skin -

• Wash it no more than twice a day but definitely clean after you sweat.
• Use a gentle cleanser and don't scrub.
• Don't pick, pop, or squeeze pimples. They will spread the infection, take longer to heal, and leave lasting scars.
• Look for the word "noncomedogenic" on skin care products and cosmetics.

If you have Combination or Sensitive skin, we recommend you take help from a skincare specialist who will devise a personalized regimen for you.

Points to Remember when Buying Skincare Products

Before you buy skincare products, it’s a good idea to identify your skin type and keep in mind other factors that contribute to the look and feel of your skin, like: 

• Your skin complexion. Does your skin tend to burn easily, rarely, or never?
• Your skin care goals. Are you trying to prevent premature aging? Is there a skin problem such as acne or rosacea? Are there other concerns such as dark circles, puffy eyes or fine lines?
• Your personal habits. Are you a smoker? Do you spend a lot of time in the sun? Do you take daily vitamins or supplements? Do you eat healthy and clean? All these factors may affect your skin and how you should care for it.

This information can help you sort through skin care products to pick those that suit you. If you need help, ask a dermatologist, skincare specialist, or an aesthetician at the skin care counter for recommendations.

Skincare Essentials

No matter what type of skin you have, these tips will keep it looking its best.

1. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
2. Avoid direct sunlight, and wear a hat and sunglasses.
3. Quit smoking.
4. Limit alcohol intake.
5. Stay hydrated through your waking hours.
6. Wash your skin gently but thoroughly every day and take off every speck of makeup before going to bed.
7. Moisturize.

At Phool Patti, we believe that beautiful skin is a manifestation of a beautiful you and biological age has nothing to do with it. While we can't stop the natural aging process of the body, our lifestyle choices can certainly play a significant role in maintaining healthy, glowing skin all through our life. As mentioned above, avoiding excess sun exposure, wearing a sunscreen at all times, drinking less alcohol, not smoking and last but not the least, using the goodness of natural and chemical-free products are the basic yet crucial steps that one can take in protecting and keeping the skin healthy.