First Things First

You need to know what type of skin you have. There are five types of skin and we all have one of them. You need to know this first so that it will be easier for you to treat your skin type and get the proper products and services that will help you. Many people do not know what type of skin they have and therefore spend money on products that they do not need and wonder why they are not getting the results they are looking for. It is a waste of time and money, so before you buy another thing, read on.

The five skin types are:

-Dry Skin: This skin type does not produce enough oil. Sometimes can be flaky. Pores are small or hard to see. Oil production helps protect us from the environment. Dry skin lacks the oil protection and, therefore, is fragile. Products that you should be looking for are "occlusive products". These are heavier products that include cream cleansers designed to keep moisture in the skin. Drinking lots of water and hydrating the skin can help minimize dryness. You can also use a freshener on the skin after cleansing. Just spritz some on your face and go.

-Normal Skin: This skin type has a good oil/water balance. It can go either way. Sometimes more dry and sometimes more oily. Pores are normal size and skin is usually clear of pimples. Products to look for are cleansing lotions. You want to look for more water based products, not oil based. You want to use toners in this case as well because they will help tighten the skin.

-Combination Skin: This skin can be both oily and dry at the same time. Most people who have combination skin have oil throughout the t-zone. The t-zone is the forehead, nose and chin. The rest of the face tends to be more dry. Pores are larger in the t-zone and get smaller just outside of the zone. With this skin type you need to balance both the oily and dry areas, making this type of skin require a little more care. You should cleanse and exfoliate on a regular basis. Products you should look for are water based products. Foamy cleansers, such as a face wash, is best for this skin type. You also want to use a toner throughout the day. You should spritz on your face several times a day. Don't be afraid to put on right over your makeup, as this with help balance your skin throughout the day.

-Oily Skin: This skin type produces lots of oil. Pore size is large over most of the face. This skin type requires more cleansing and exfoliating than any other type. You see lots of blemishes and blackheads. You should balance this type with treatments and use products on a daily basis, but over cleansing can make skin worse and can strip skin and irritate it. Therefore, you should not cleanse and exfoliate more than once a day. Water based products are best for this skin type. You want to go with foamy face washes and astringents in this case. The up side to this skin type is that oily skin ages more slowly than any other.

-Sensitive Skin: This skin type is characterized by redness and is irritated by products, food and the environment. The best way to care for this condition is to be very gentle. Be very careful in the products that you choose, as many are not good for sensitive skin. This skin condition is usually genetically predisposed and needs to be cared for through professional treatments and nonirritating products.

So those are the five skin types. Analyze your skin right now, because knowing your skin is the first step.