Antioxidants, hyaluronic acid or collagen: in advertisements it is constantly suggested that these ingredients are important for a healthy complexion. But what is actually behind the terms and how do we find out our personal skin type?
It has long been no secret that men and women can have different skin types: The palette ranges from dry skin to oily skin to combination skin. Accordingly, there is also an extremely large selection of skin care products that really outdo each other with their ingredients. In order to find out which substances are best for your face, you not only need to understand the active ingredients, but also know your skin type – and that’s not that easy if you are not a dermatologist. Below you will learn what the terms on most masks, scrubs, and creams really mean and how you can better classify your skin type.
How do I determine my skin type?
The most common types include not only dry and oily skin or combination skin, but also sensitive, impure and even normal skin – the latter actually not requiring intensive care, as it is neither too dry nor too oily. Here can be an ordinary or be used. For other skin types, however, not every product is equally suitable, which is why you should determine it in advance.
- Oily skin: Because of the excessive production of sebum, many people suffer from an oily complexion. This is due to clogged pores, which form an oily film on the skin and thus promote blemishes such as blackheads and pimples. On the other hand, oily skin also has the great advantage that it is better protected from external influences and thus remains free of wrinkles for longer.
- Blemished skin: If your skin is more prone to blemishes, this is not a sign of poor hygiene. Rather, incorrect personal care products, an unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and even lack of sleep can all be to blame for you on a regular basis and need to remove blackheads.
- Dry skin: If your skin is constantly tight and small flakes of skin loosen, this is a sign that you are releasing too much moisture through your skin and thus drying it out faster. With the right one you can counteract small cracks as well as redness – and even the formation of wrinkles in old age.
- Sensitive skin: It is particularly difficult for people with sensitive skin, as they are sensitive to external influences such as wind and weather, perfumed care products or common cosmetics. This makes your skin unpredictable and difficult to care for – but you still can’t avoid it.
- Combination skin: Here, too, it is not always easy to properly care for the skin. Due to the combination of greasy areas in the T-zone (i.e. forehead, nose and chin) and dry areas on the cheeks, you have to use different products to suit your combination skin.
Why is skin care so important?
Our skin holds the body together, which is why it is the largest organ we have. It protects us from external influences such as sun rays, pollutants and also dry air – so it has to perform at its best every day. This is also an important reason why you should not neglect skin care: Instead of just smearing any cream or ointment on your face to prevent pimples or wrinkles, you should know your skin type and use appropriate cleansing and care products. In order to better understand the substances it contains, however, you should also be able to differentiate between the active ingredients and classify them correctly. What do the substances in care products mean?
Terms like or you’ve probably heard it before, but do you also know what’s behind it? In the event that there is still a need for clarification, the most common active ingredients of well-known care products are listed and explained again in the following table:
|
Active ingredient |
That’s behind it |
|
Collagen |
The active ingredient primarily strengthens our body (bones, tendons and ligaments), but in the form of creams or face masks can also make the skin more elastic and supply it with moisture. |
|
Antioxidants |
Moisturizer and makeup manufacturers advertise this ingredient a lot. These are simple vitamins (C, E and beta-carotene) that are supposed to protect our skin from external influences – i.e. free radicals. |
|
Salicylic acid |
This anti-inflammatory agent is not only found in medicines, but also in many care products. First and foremost, it is supposed to help against impurities and is therefore found in various pimple creams. |
|
Hyaluronic acid |
Even if our body produces the active ingredient itself, external application is supposed to provide dry skin with moisture and prevent wrinkles. That is why many care products for mature skin like to advertise it. |
| Ceramide |
This active ingredient protects the skin from drying out and is therefore used in many moisturizers. The so-called lipids are found in the horny layer of the skin and form a kind of protective film against foreign bodies. |
|
Urea |
This is a urea that can bind moisture. Accordingly, care products with urea are primarily suitable for dry skin types, and it also has a healing effect. |
|
Panthenol |
In the past, this active ingredient was mainly found in après-ski products to alleviate sunburn. Nowadays panthenol is used in care products for mature skin due to its anti-aging properties. |
The right skin care on cold days
You probably know that too: When the temperatures drop below zero, the cold becomes noticeable on the skin – from itchy shins and elbows to feelings of tension in the face. In order to counteract this condition, skin care plays a crucial role, especially the supply of moisture. Depending on your skin type, you should definitely consider the following points when buying new care products:
- If you sensitive skin it tends to dry out faster in the cold. You can counteract this by clicking on set that moisturizes your skin without putting any strain on it.
- If you too dry skin it is better to stay away from cosmetics that are perfumed and contain alcohol. Creams made with olive, or are offset.
- Do you rather have oily skinthat to Impurities tends, you should like on active ingredients and that are contained in many care products. Alternatively, there are also numerous that cleanse and moisturize your skin at the same time.
- For people with Combination skin Finding the right skin care product is particularly difficult as it has to cater to both oily and dry areas. A clarifying one is suitable here good for oily skin and moisturizing gels for dry skin.
For all skin types, however, you should not put additional strain on your skin on cold days by showering too hot – this will dry out your skin. The same goes for your scalp: it’s better to use it in the cold months that doesn’t dry out your skin that quickly. On the other hand, you can protect your hands from the cold by using them regularly and wear gloves outdoors. Otherwise, the skin may tear – just like your lips, which you have with one protect from the cold. Here you can, for example, rely on oils and beeswax. And last but not least, sun protection plays an important role in skin care: therefore, pay attention to the correct sun protection factor on cold days, because there are also suitable care products for all skin types.
