You need to be wise.

Now, you have finally decided to be serious with your skin.

But aunty has gone to buy the face wash her roommate is using. Some of you are already committing the atrocity of using your body lotion as a face moisturizer. 😟

And because Agent J said we must use sunscreen 24/7, you’ve gone to buy Gavia sunscreen of 200ml. Because others are 50 ml and you want your money to last longer than methuselah. 😐

Uncle drop that Nivea! Because you’ve finally upgraded from blue seal vaseline, you want to show us you now have levels. You want to form big boys. 🙃

Oga what’s your skin type? 🧐

See, I know these products are entering your eye and your body is itching to try them out. You want to get that glowing skin as soon as possible. 🌚 But you have to calm down first and figure out what type of skin is on your face.

Why?

Because we all have different skin types and each has its particular way of being cared for. That means any small mess up, your face go collect.

So, we have 5 different types. Oily, Dry, Sensitive, Combination and Normal.

By their names we shall know them, right? 💁‍♀️

Oily skin. Very Simple.

These people wish there was a place they could plug to prevent oil from ever coming out again. Even after you’ve washed your face for the 10th time, the oil remaineth forever. 😫

You’re always shiny but feeling greasy, especially around the nose area. You may find your skin having large pores and have probably been dealing with pimples longer than you would like.

Dry skin. Sahara could never.

When Wizkid was singing ‘Don’t Dull’, he wasn’t referring to you guys.🙊 Sorry.

Your face probably feels tight or dry after bathing and might look flaky, rough, ashy, itch or have a crack somewhere.

Sensitive skin type really got the short end of the stick. Yikes. 😬

They most likely started the struggle from a young age and get irritated in other areas of the body, not just the face. And I’m not talking about sensitive skin from over-exfoliating or drying your skin out too much. That is different.

I’m referring to skin that is easily irritated by a product and experiences a burning, stinging or itching sensation when applying a product. You might also notice a visible peeling or bump reaction.

Watch out for some redness too. 👀

P.S. You can have dry or oily skin and also have sensitive skin. Double yikes. 😬😬

Combination skin. My people.😊 We know ourselves na🌚, with our confused faces. One-half oily, the other dry. Best of both worlds. 🤣

And if you notice, the oily part is usually around the forehead, nose area and chin, known as the T-zone. While along the cheeks and jawline tend to feel dry and sometimes patchy.

And last but not the least, the most loved out of the quintet. Normal skin.

I’ve met one and yes, I will say it with my full chest, I was jealous. 😭

No breakouts. Nothing like dry patches or excess oil or irritation. They don’t have to do permutation and combination before picking a product. Their blemishes, if any, are few and do not interrupt their fine complexion.

These guys really won. 🥺

So how do you know which skin type you have?

Spare a few hours of your day to wash your face with a gentle cleanser and gently pat your face dry with a towel.

Observe how your skin looks and feels immediately after washing, after 30 minutes and after a few hours.

Compare with the characteristics of each skin type and know where you fall under.

For any skin type, the basic routine of wash-moisturise-sunscreen remains the gold standard.

For those with Dry skin, you’ll need a gentle cleanser and a heavy moisturiser that contains humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Humectants attract moisture to the skin.

You can also add oils or butter containing shea butter or jojoba to help seal in the moisture. You can also use hyaluronic acid in a serum form, and remember to apply it before moisturising but after cleansing.

Oily skin requires the use of non-comedogenic products, meaning products that won’t clog your pores and cause more breakouts. Using a cleanser that aids in oil absorption is a good start, followed by a light oil-free moisturizer.

Yes, you still have to moisturise even as your skin is oily. Water-based gels and lotions are your best friends rather than ointments or oil-based creams.

You can choose a moisturizer containing a sunscreen of at least SPF 30, but if you’d prefer it separate, oil-free sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are your best bet. 👌

Alcohol can temporarily dry out your skin and make it look matte, but it actually causes overproduction of oil 🤦‍♀️ and should be avoided along with harsh cleansers. Exfoliating once or twice a week helps to clear blemishes.

Combination skin really has the best of both worlds.

You can follow the same steps for those with oily skin for the T-zone, also making sure to intensify the moisturizers in the dry areas and sparingly on the oily areas. Or travel the route of having two different moisturizers.

Sensitive skin needs a lot more consideration.

First is finding products that do not contain sulphates, parabens or synthetic fragrances. ❌

Natural ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, chamomile, vitamin E and shea butter are worth a try. Before using a product, always perform a patch test in a hidden area. 🧏‍♀️

It’s also important to note ingredients and lifestyle triggers that cause your skin to react, so as to take precautionary measures. When applying products, it’s best to use clean fingertips rather than a brush or washcloth on the face.

Mineral sunscreens containing physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are your go-to’s.

Normal skin people require a combination of “what are you still looking for again”🌚 and “go and use the gold standard and rest you lucky people” 🤨

Normal skin people think they’ve won in life, but being oily will keep your skin looking younger for longer. 1:1😌

As we round up, it’s important to note that the information above does not in any way replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Yes, you don’t necessarily need to see a doctor before starting a skin-care routine.

But, if you have extra sensitive skin, a skin condition, or any major concerns, it’s best to consult with a dermatologist who can guide you through the process. 🤗

My type is claps and comments. 🌚 They are very attractive to me. Leave a couple behind. 😊