Oily

Oily skin is shiny, thick and dull colored. Often a chronically oily skin has coarse pores and pimples and other embarrassing blemishes. It is prone to blackheads. In this type of skin, the oil producing sebaceous glands are overactive and produce more oil than is needed. The oil oozes and gives the skin a greasy shine. The pores are enlarged and the skin has a coarse look. Some causes of oily skin include:

1. Heredity
2. Diet
3. Hormone levels
4. Pregnancy
5. Birth control pills
6. Cosmetics you use
7. Humidity and hot weather

Because of the hormonal shifts of adolescence, oily skin is common in teenagers, but it can occur at any age. In general, skin tends to become dryer with age. The flow of sebum or oil increases during adolescence and starts decreasing with age. During pregnancy and menopause, hormonal imbalances can also upset the oil balance and increase the activity of sebaceous glands. Many people have skin that is oily only in certain areas and dry or normal in others, a condition known as combination skin.

Dry

Dry skin is caused by a lack of natural moisturizers within our skin or by damage to the protective film that prevents moisture loss from within our skin. How our skin feels is influenced by many factors: the weather, our age, our work, contact with certain substances, medication, frequent washing or our genetic makeup. Dry skin is a very common skin problem and different people suffer from it in various ways. It can be closely related to dehydrated skin. However, symptoms of dry skin are:

1. You are experiencing scaling, itching, and other signs of discomfort from a cosmetic procedure such as chemical peel or microdermabrasion.
2. You are suffering from Xerosis and/or Eczema.
3. Infant Atopy
4. You have Keratinization problems.
5. You have recently undergone a cosmetic procedure such as a chemical peel, microdermabrasion or liposuction and you are experiencing severe dryness.

Combination

Combination skin is a combination of both oily and dry skin (see above). There is a greasy center panel consisting of nose, forehead and chin and a dry panel consisting of cheeks, mouth and the areas around the eyes. This type of skin is very common, and it should be treated as if it were two different types of skin.

Normal

Normal skin has an even tone, soft and smooth texture, no visible pores or blemishes, and no greasy patches or flaky areas. This type of skin has a clear, fine-textured, supple and smooth surface which is neither greasy nor dry. It glows with an inner health which stems from good blood circulation and excellent health. There may be occasional pimples in women just before menstruation due to increased hormonal activity, which makes the sebaceous glands overactive. Acne is, however, not a problem for people with normal skin. It is beautiful, but it needs care if it is to last. Neglect can lead to signs of aging and wrinkling.