Factors that can influence you skin type
by Danny T. Siegenthaler
zone3
The following article looks at the different skin types, such as
oily, dry, normal, sensitive, mature or a combination of these. It
provides a brief description of each of the skin types and what you need
to be aware of in order to balance your skin and provides you with
approaches to natural skin
care that help you make the correct choices for your particular
skin.
Skin Types: Normal, Dry, Oily,
Combination, Dull or Mature
Normal skin
type
Normal skin is smooth,
finely-textured, soft and supple. If you are lucky enough to possess this
skin type, treasure it by using light cleansers and lotions and mild
toners and fresheners.
Dry skin
type
Dry skin is usually thin and
delicate and often flaky and prone to fine lines. It sometimes feels
tighter than it should. Extremely rich and greasy creams are not good for
it because they strangulate the pores, often enlarging them and so
creating an extra problem. Use light oils and lotions for
moisturising and choose herbal toners, which are mild and not too
astringent. Try to restore the pH or acid-alkali balance with the
application of such things as cucumber juice or diluted vinegar so that
the sebaceous glands are encouraged to function.
Generally speaking, the emollient and hydrating herbs
(chamomile, comfrey, cowslip, elderflower, fennel, marshmallow, orange
blossom, rose, violet) are the best to use in lotions and
toners for dry skin. But there is no hard and fast rule. Astringent
herbs can be good for dry skins, for example, if blended with emollient
herbs or oils and gels, and many herbs are suitable for all skin types. If
the skin is sensitive as well as dry, see the notes on sensitive skin
below.
Oily skin type
Oily skin is shiny and coarser-textured, often with enlarged pores.
It is prone to blackheads and spots. Don't use alcohol to reduce the
oiliness of the skin, as it will only worsen the problem. Many herbal
toners are suitable for reducing oiliness and tightening the pores (see
list of suitable herbs below). Egg-white makes a nice mild face-mask.
Don't over dry the skin; moisturise with a light lotion. Aim to restore
your skin's acid-alkali balance so that the sebaceous glands cease to
produce such large amounts of oil
Astringent and cleansing herbs are generally the best to choose when
treating an oily skin. These are: cinquefoil, clary sage, comfrey,
cucumber, dandelion, horsetail, houseleek, hyssop, lavender, lemon balm,
lemongrass, lemon verbena, marigold, mint, parsley, sage, witch hazel and
yarrow. But don’t forget that many herbs are suited to all skin types and
that many of the strengthening and anti-inflammatory herbs (chamomile,
cowslip, fennel, lettuce, elderflower, orange blossom, rose, violet) are
suitable for oily skins.
Combination skin
types
The person with this skin type
will have to follow two beauty routines, one for the dry areas, and
another for the oily. I think the oily areas balance up more easily in
this type of skin than when the whole face is oily, so don't
despair.
Sensitive skin type
This skin is usually fine-textured and often prone to reddish
veins and patches. Keep to light oils and lotions for cleansing and
moisturising, and mild herbal toners and compresses to soothe the skin and
reduce redness and veins. It is usually wise for people with sensitive
skins to stay away from the stimulating herbs (lavender, lime flower,
mint, nettle, sage, southernwood, summer savory, thyme).
Dull skin
Dull skin
has lost the bloom of vitality and the soft glow of renewal. It looks matt
and lifeless. Its acid balance has slipped. If it is oily or large-pored
skin use diluted cider vinegar or lemon juice, or cucumber juice to
balance it. If it is dry skin, use buttermilk or cucumber
juice.
Mature skin type
Older skin can be toned and softened and restored to much of its
former beauty. The skin is a wonderfully regenerating organ, given
encouragement. Use a light hand with makeup if you must use it, as this
dries and ages the skin.
Other Factors that can influence you
skin
The foundation of a healthy
beautiful skin is diet. Are you getting sufficient polyunsaturated
fats? These are essential to a healthy skin and do not cause facial
oiliness. They are found in cereal grains, nuts and cold pressed nut and
vegetable oils.
Plenty of vitamin C is
fundamental to a beautiful skin, because it builds collagen and elastin,
the bonding and structural substances which give tone and resilience.
There is no need to resort to tablets. Eat bean sprouts, green and red
peppers, black currants, oranges and lemons. Then there are guavas and
rosehips, so your diet need not be restricted or dull. There is infinite
variety to suit every palate.
Lack of
vitamin A can cause dryness of the skin. Eat dandelion, parsley,
watercress, carrots, pumpkins, celeriac.
If your skin is unbalanced, either flaky or too oily, or if your
lips peel, then check your intake of vitamin B foods. Oats, years, bran,
goat's milk, whole rice, sunflower seeds, sprouted seeds and grains are
some of the sources.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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