What is your skin type?

Cetaphil®, a leader in sensitive skincare that has been dermatologically tested, strives to formulate products that are gentle yet effective on even the most sensitive skin. An effective skincare regime starts with choosing products that are designed and formulated to suit each person’s skin type.

This means that whether you have normal, dry, oily/combination, eczema-prone, redness-prone, acne-prone or uneven dull skin, Cetaphil® cares for your skin type by offering various cleansers, moisturisers, and SPF protection for all skin types and needs.

Cetaphil® has given us a quick run-down of the main skin types to help you recognise your individual skin type, which will allow you to confidently select products that best suit it.

Normal skin
Normal skin, or eudermic skin, has moisture content, sebum production, and other factors that affect the health of your skin, all within normal ranges – meaning it is usually well-balanced.

Normal skin is less likely to suffer from skin conditions and appears radiant and healthy. There are usually few imperfections/blemishes and a skin tone which is even, clear and smooth. The pores are barely visible and the skin is not too oily or too dry.

To care for your normal skin, you should still cleanse, moisturise and protect the skin from UV radiation daily.

Product suggestions:

Cleansers and Moisturisers

Cetaphil® Gentle Skin Cleansers and Bar, Cetaphil® Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths, Cetaphil® Extra Gentle Daily Scrub, Cetaphil® Moisturising Creams, Cetaphil® Moisturising Lotion, Cetaphil® Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid, Cetaphil® Rich Night Cream.

Suncare

Dry Skin
Dry skin, also known as Xerosis, may produce less sebum (oil) than other skin types resulting in insufficient oil content in the upper layers of the skin. It may also lack some of the natural moisturising factors that help the skin retain water. Dry skin should not be confused with dehydrated skin which is more of a lack of water in the skin. Dry skin will often feel tight, have a rough texture and lack elasticity. It may be prone to cracking, chapping, itching, irritation, and redness. This flaky skin can have a dull and blotchy complexion with fine lines and wrinkles.

To care for dry skin, individuals with a dry skin type should avoid skin care products that have drying ingredients or strip the skin of sebum. They will want to seal in moisture with appropriate moisturisers formulated for dry skin.

Product suggestions:

Cleansers, Moisturisers and Suncare

Cetaphil® Gentle Skin Cleanser, Cetaphil® Moisturising Cream, Cetaphil® Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid, Cetaphil® Rich Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid, Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Lotion

Oily and Combination Skin
Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands, producing too much sebum (oil). Oily skin is characterized by a thick, shiny appearance with visible large pores. Unfortunately, this skin type is more prone to blackheads, blemishes, acne or other skin imperfections.

To care for oily skin, gentle cleansing with products that are non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) is a good option, followed by lightweight hydrating lotions but not necessarily oil-free as these may result in over-production of natural oils by the skin, possibly creating more breakouts.

Combination skin is the most common type. As its name suggests, this skin type will have a mix of usually an oily skin in the T-Zone area (forehead, nose, and chin) and typically dry to normal skin on the rest of the face (cheeks, mouth, and eyes).  

Individuals with combination skin types require different skin care regimes that treat their different skin regions and their specific conditions.

Product suggestions:

Cleansers, Moisturisers and Suncare

Cetaphil® Oily Skin Cleanser, Cetaphil® Moisturising Lotion, Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Gel

Eczema-Prone Skin
Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin that causes dry and itchy skin, rashes, scaly patches, blisters and skin infections. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema which often results from an overactive immune system causing the skin barrier to become dry and itchy. This damaged skin barrier makes the skin more sensitive to irritants, allergens, bacteria and other invaders. It also makes it harder for the skin to retain water leading to further dry and itchy skin.

To care for this skin, it is so important to properly moisturise and understand which products are best to use on this sensitive skin to not further damage the skin barrier.

Product suggestions:

Cleansers, Moisturisers and Suncare

Cetaphil® Pro Eczema-Prone Skin, Skin Restoring Body Wash, Cetaphil® Pro Eczema-Prone Skin, Skin Restoring Moisturizer, Cetaphil® Sun SPF 50+ Lotion

Acne-Prone Skin
Acne can be split into two types: non-inflammatory and inflammatory. The non-inflammatory type is the mildest type and refers to clogged pores that appear on the skin as whiteheads or blackheads. The inflammatory type can be more severe. It is redder and more robust in appearance with papules, pustules, nodules and/or cysts.

Acne is caused by a combination of hormones, oil, and bacteria. Oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria can clog the hair follicles on your face and thus the sebum can’t escape the pores, which can lead to acne.

Your skincare routine is essential with this condition as you need to ensure you wash twice a day to unclog the pores, but gently (no scrubbing!).

Product suggestions:

Cleanser and Moisturiser

Cetaphil® Pro Acne-Prone Skin Foam Wash, Cetaphil® Pro Acne-Prone Skin Moisturizing Lotion

Redness-Prone Skin
Dealing with skin redness is a common problem often experienced by people with skin conditions such as rosacea (a chronic condition that persists for a long time affecting the cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose and characterised by blushing or flushing and visible blood vessels on the face) and those with sensitive skin.

Skin redness is associated with a cycle of skin barrier damage and inflammation in response to environmental triggers such as UV exposure, cold weather, and heat UV. These triggers cause inflammation, skin barrier damage, increased skin water loss, and decreased skin hydration.

Care gently for this sensitive skin with products formulated to soothe and relieve redness.

Product suggestions:

Cleansers and Moisturisers

Cetaphil® PRO Redness-Prone Skin Foam Face Wash, Cetaphil® PRO Redness-Prone Skin Daily Facial Moisturiser with SPF30, Cetaphil® PRO Redness-Prone Skin Night Moisturiser Cream

Uneven Dull Skin
Uneven skin tone typically refers to texture issues, blotchy skin, facial flushing, or hyperpigmentation. One of the more common causes of an uneven skin tone is the latter mentioned – hyperpigmentation. This is where the skin overproduces the pigment called melanin which then results in darker patches on the skin. Other causes of uneven skin tone include: sun damage, acne or acne scars, hormonal changes, aging, skin damage and other skin conditions such as rosacea or dermatitis.

To care for this skin type, there are some effective yet gentle products which have been formulated with ingredients to help even tone and help reduce dark spot colour intensity to reveal more even radiant skin.

Product suggestions:

Cleanser, Toner and Moisturisers

Cetaphil®Bright Healthy Radiance Brightness Reveal Creamy Cleanser, Cetaphil® Bright Healthy Radiance Brightness Refresh Toner, Cetaphil® Bright Healthy Radiance Brightening Day Protection Cream with SPF 15, Cetaphil® Bright Healthy Radiance Brightening Night Comfort Cream

Whatever your skin goal may be, it remains important as a first step to always determine first what your skin type is, so you can choose the right products to get you there! Cetaphil is here to partner with you on your sensitive skin care journey.

This post was sponsored by Cetaphil®.