How to identify your skin category

In order to apply the right skincare products that are suitable for you, it is important to know your skin type and identify your skin category. This will also help you to prolong the health and vitality of your skin. The initial type of your skin is genetic – meaning that you’re born with it.  However, the health and beauty of your skin later in life is largely down to you and what you eat and how you take care of yourself. There are five main skin types: normal, dry, oily, sensitive and combination skin. Professional make-up artist Emily-Rose explains how you can determine your skin type in her new book, as well as offering useful beauty tips and great make-up tutorials to ensure you obtain and then maintain beautiful skin throughout your life. It seems that achieving glowing, youthful skin really is as simple as that – result! Being beautiful has never felt so good!  

Normal

Why do I get it?
Normal skin is in fact the least problematic of all the types and shows little or no traces of oil. 
What can I do?
Skin that is this clean and smooth needs little care.  

Dry

Why do I get it?
Dry skin can be brought on by a number of factors including winter weather, harsh soap, ageing, sensitive products and your general health.
What can I do?
If skin looks or feel dry, help to replenish its moisture level with some extra-rich moisturizer. Massage a facial oil or moisturizer into the skin after cleansing, applying more to the areas that feel drier. If your skin still feels dry all over, use a double layer.  

Oily

Why do I get it?
Oily skin often occurs when the sebaceous glands are over-active and produce excess oil, which can lead to congested skin.
What can I do?
Use lightweight products on your skin. Despite what you may think, oily products do not block pores – in fact, they do the opposite! Do not use foaming cleansers that contain sodium lauryl, as this can strip the skin of its natural oil, causing your glands to produce even more.  

Combination

Why do I get it?
This is a mixture of the two types above.  Combination skin is often dry in some places and greasy through the t-zone.
What can I do?
Use a gentle cleanser and PH balancing toner. Use moisturizer and/or facial oil as you would do normally, but add an extra layer to your drier areas.  

Sensitive

Why do I get it?
Skin becomes sensitized by an irritant within a particular product, but the good news is that it can also settle back down, once you know what has caused the sensitivity and stop using that particular product.
What can I do?
Avoid using perfumed products, which contain harsh chemicals.