Oily skin, sensitive skin, mature skin... it can sometimes be challenging to distinguish between these terms. However, to provide the care to incorporate into your daily beauty routine that suits us, it is important to understand your skin and especially its nature. Skin type, skin condition... we explain it all.
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Difference between skin type and skin condition.
Summary
Published February 6, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
4 min read
Skin Type: What is it?
The skin is among the essential organs that make up the body. It is composed of several internal skin layers and an external hydrolipidic film. This latter acts like a barrier that protects the internal tissues from external aggressions. Due to its composition and the rate of elements that characterize it, the hydrolipidic film is the basic element that allows determining the skin type.
Skin type is a skin characteristic that does not change; it is determined by our genetic heritage. There are 4 types of skin:
Normal/Eudermic Skin: This refers to a balanced and comfortable skin type that is neither too oily nor too dry. The balance between sebum production and hydration does not appear to be compromised. It has a regular skin texture, an even complexion, a smooth and soft texture, and does not have any imperfections.
Dry Skin : This refers to a type of skin that produces less sebum than normal skin, consequently having an impaired barrier function. Due to this sebum deficiency, the skin may appear tight, rough, and dull on a daily basis. In extreme cases, it can present redness, flaking, and frequent itching sensations.
Oily Skin : Refers to skin that produces excess sebum, most often in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). The skin surface tends to shine, pores are visible and enlarged, and blemishes (comedones, blackheads, acne...) may appear.
Combination Skin : This skin type is complex. Indeed, it is characterized by an oily part in the T-zone of the face that may show imperfections, and areas that tend to be normal or even dry on the cheeks.
The health status of the skin: what are we talking about?
Unlike skin type, the health status of the skin can change over the course of life under the influence of various internal and external factors to which it is exposed: aging, hormones, climate variations, pollution, stress, diet... These issues can be transient or gradually settle in.
There are several skin conditions:
Acne-prone skin: It is characterized by the inflammatory condition of the skin surface. This skin condition is caused by an overproduction of sebum, which promotes the proliferation of certain bacteria responsible for acne.
Sensitive and Reactive Skin : This refers to skin that frequently suffers from tingling, itching, and presents red patches.
Dehydrated Skin : It is recognized by its lack of radiance, dehydration fine lines and feelings of discomfort.
Mature Skin : This is a skin condition that shows signs of aging (wrinkles, skin sagging, age spots...) with the progression of age. It has lost its dryness, become wrinkled, and lacks elasticity.
Diagnostic
Understand your skin
and its complex needs.