Makeup Training 101: Do You Know Your Skin Type?

For those who have dry skin, you’re no stranger to moisturizing throughout the day. Dry skin can become flaky and feel tight. This means that there’s not enough moisture in your skin to reach the outside layers and move comfortably. If this sounds like your skin type, using a moisturizing cleanser along with a heavier face lotion will help retain moisture throughout the day.

Dry skin is always thirsty, and sometimes moisturizer just isn’t enough. One way to help combat dry skin is by drinking lots of water! And we don’t just mean drink enough water—you should always be well-hydrated and make a point of taking water with you every day. Remember that cold weather can make dryness worse, so you may need to switch up your products!

The term “normal skin” doesn’t mean everyone else is strange—it just means that your skin is neither oily nor dry. Having a normal skin type is lucky since it doesn’t need as much attention as other types generally do. Although normal skin is great for applying makeup, it doesn’t mean that you’re out of the woods. Proper skincare is of dire importance, so you still need to cleanse and moisturize daily!

Normal skin types can still suffer from skin conditions, like acne and rosacea. It’s less likely, but still possible. Be sure to take care of your skin with quality products to avoid running into skin problems in the future.

With oily skin types, you’ll notice that within a few minutes of showering you get a slight shine to your face. The most important thing for oily skin: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! When your skin creates oil, this means that it’s compensating for a lack of moisture. To keep your face shine-free, use a cleanser that doesn’t contain oil AND doesn’t strip natural oil from the skin. You’ll actually make things a lot worse if you dry out your skin!

Moisturize with a light, mattifying lotion right after showering or cleansing your face. This will create a moisture barrier within your skin that cues your body to stop producing excess oil. When you feed your skin with moisture, you’ll notice a decrease in the amount of oil your skin creates. Now, this won’t completely stop oil production but using the right products will make a huge difference in your skin’s look and feel.

This is where things get tricky. Combination skin tends to have normal, dry, and oily areas. For most, the forehead and nose are where your face tends to shine, and your cheeks feel dry or normal. When it comes to caring for combination skin it’s important to embrace what your skin needs.

Rather than using an arsenal of products, find a cleanser that is non-drying and also doesn’t contain extra oil. This will bring moisture to dry areas while avoiding oiliness in others. Moisturizing is a bit more complicated: be sure to use a heavier moisturizer on your dry patches and a mattifying moisturizer on your oily areas. You can find specialty moisturizers for combination skin, but be aware that these products may be more expensive (although they’re a major timesaver!).

Working with sensitive skin calls for extra care and attention. You may notice redness or irritation, depending on your skin’s sensitivity level. It’s important to use products with no irritants or harsh chemicals—these can be painful and make your skin worse for wear! Look for cleansers and moisturizers made without fragrance. A key term to seek out is “non-comedogenic” products. These generally don’t contain harsh ingredients and don’t clog your pores. Although they may be more expensive, your skin will thank you for the special care. Proper products and soft touch will work wonders for stopping irritation.

Whatever your skin type is, make sure that you understand what it needs and how to take care of your skin. A little bit of research can go a long way! Creating a flawless makeup look is much easier when you prep the skin properly. Pass on this skincare advice to your clients and become the beauty guru they’ve always needed!