From improving skin elasticity to relieving dryness, moisturizer is a great save for multiple skin problems—but this is not a ‘one type fits all’ situation. We tell you how to find your perfect match and recommend some home remedies for a fail-safe solution.
ID Your Skin Type
Wash your face with a cleanser and gently pat dry. After an hour, use an individual tissue to dab your face in four sections—forehead, cheeks, chin, nose.
Oily Skin
If you notice greasy residue across the tissue and an overall shine on your skin, this is your type.
The Problem: The skin can absorb only a limited amount of moisturizer, so the excess tends to stay on the surface and causes clogged pores and breakouts.
Cosmetic Solution: Skipping moisturizer is not an option. Use one that is lightweight and can be easily absorbed by the skin. You can try oil-free lotions, gels and serums, or even water-based or non-comedogenic moisturizers.
DIY Solution: Take 1 cup of rose petals and add it to 2 cups of boiling rose water. Let it cool, filter it and then add 2tbsp of aloe vera juice. While rose water will clean the skin, aloe vera will moisturize it. Use it every day after your shower to keep your skin hydrated.
Dry Skin
Shedding and residue on the tissue, white patches and a flaky appearance of the skin, and a general feeling of tightness are your cues.
The Problem: Dry skin inherently lacks moisture and essential oils. A moisturizer is imperative to improve skin elasticity and prevent signs of aging.
Cosmetic Solution: Pick a moisturizer that contains a high amount of either of these ingredients—sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, linoleic acid or shea butter.
DIY Solution: For supple skin mix 4tbsp of aloe vera gel, 2-3 drops of rose oil, 1tbsp of almond oil and 1tbsp of olive oil. Apply twice a day; especially after a shower.
Combination Skin
If only the forehead, chin and nose sections of the tissue are greasy, you have combination skin. Another way to ID this skin type is to check if the light reflects and bounces off of only the high planes on your face.
The Problem: This type of skin is hard to deal with, and you may have to tackle the problems of dry, normal and oily skin altogether. The wrong moisturizer can cause outbreaks just as easily as aging spots.
Cosmetic Solution: Buy problem-specific products, and be prepared, for you could need more than one. A granular scrub for blackheads, a water-based moisturizer for the day, a heavy night cream, blotting tissues, and acne creams should all be on the shopping list if need be.
DIY Moisturizer: Given the complicated make up of this kind of skin, it is most advisable to buy a moisturizer that’s been specially formulated by the experts, instead of a home remedy. You could choose to go with brands that use natural and organic ingredients if you don’t want to go the cosmetic way.
Normal Skin
If the tissue has bare minimum residue and your skin’s appearance hasn’t changed much since the face cleanse, you have this skin type.
The Problem: None! You are one of the lucky few who have close-to-perfect skin and don’t need to be overtly cautious with your moisturizer.
Cosmetic Solution: Since you don’t have to accelerate or restrict the level of moisture in your skin, a regular water-based moisturizer is all you need to stay hydrated. You could switch to milk-based ones on the rare occasions you experience dryness—the morning after you’ve consumed alcohol, extreme cold temperatures, etc.
DIY Solution: Melt 1 cup of cocoa butter and then mix it with half cups each of coconut oil and sweet almond oil. Let it set in the freezer for 20 minutes and then whisk. Apply before going to bed every day.
From aging and nourishment, to acne and cracked skin, the perfect moisturizer can be your one-step solution for multiple beauty problems, so pay more attention.
