Soothing, repairing, and nurturing your skin with the right products sounds simple enough, right? Well, if you’re like most people who don’t have a PhD in chemistry, the labels and ingredient lists on most skin care products are anything but helpful. On top of the confusing terminology, finding the right products can become even more complicated if you have sensitive, dry, oily, or a combination of different skin conditions. Before giving up on your skin care routine, let’s compare some of the factors that affect skin type and the types of products to consider for a healthier skin care routine that’s right for you.
Understanding Your Skin Type
Both environmental and internal influences affect your skin type and overall skin health. Internal factors like your genetics, hormones, allergies, and certain diseases like diabetes can all affect your skin’s fundamental characteristics. Environmental influences like sun damage, climate, and physical trauma to the skin can also cause excessive dryness, excessive oil production, and other conditions like pigmentation issues if you spend a lot of time outside.
Skin Healthy Product Tips
Even though certain skin characteristics like inherited dryness or oily qualities based on genetics cannot be avoided, many underlying skin conditions can be managed with a proactive skin care routine that’s tailored to your skin type. From safer sunscreens and after-sun moisturizers to gentle acne products and lotions designed for sensitive skin, our dermatologist in the Philadelphia area can help you compare the best products for your specific skin type, like:
- Tips for Dry, Flaky, & Itchy Skin Types: Look for ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, lactic acid, and products with hyaluronic acid or mineral oil. Along with these deeply moisturizing ingredient types, do your best to avoid long showers, harsh soaps, and cleansers that contain strong fragrances or artificial chemicals.
- Tips for Sensitive Skin & Allergy Sufferers: Less is more when it comes to sensitive skin. Whether you are looking for an acne cleanser or a moisturizer, try to find products that have fewer ingredients and sensitive-skin labels. With any potentially irritating products, start with a small amount of the product and test it on a small section of the skin before washing or moisturizing.
- Tips for Oily Skin Types: Washing more frequently, using oil-free moisturizers, and using a toner can help to reduce clogged pores and an oily appearance. Foaming cleansers, facial drying pads, and gentle acne solutions containing salicylic acid work for most people, but if you are struggling to manage your excessively oily skin, our dermatologist in Spring House, PA offers a variety of alternative and skin-safe solutions.
Learn More About Healthier Skin Products
Due to the complex factors that affect everyone’s skin differently, it’s always a good idea to speak with a dermatologist if you’re struggling to manage an effective skin care routine. Our knowledgeable dermatologists will help you compare a variety of effective solutions, and offer customized care for lasting improvements in skin health, tone, and clarity.