|
Sensitive/Reactive Skin Profile
[this skin condition can be in combination with other skin types]
Standards to Avoid
- Chemically laden ingredients
- Long, hot baths and/or showers
- Environmental stressors: pollution, harsh wind, smoking, etc.
- The worst enemy: too much SUN
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with SLS,
SLES, etc. as their acronym(s)]
- Comedogenic ingredients [true ones that is]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Alcohol based toners [formulated with SD alcohol]
- Chlorinated water
- Use a shower filter if possible
Possible Contributing Factors
- Antibiotics
- HRP [hormone replacement therapy]
- NSAIDs [medication]
- Any medication? Blood pressure, acne, chemotherapy, Tretinoin
- Topical medications? Retinol, consistent use of acids, Accutane, Retin-A
My thought [Markey] is that sensitive skin is a condition more than an actual ‘type’. I believe that we are born with beautiful, forgiving and loving skin. Without guidance or even being misguided we can, overtime, cause serious damage to our skin barrier. This becomes cyclical as the skin never really heals due to the fact that the ‘damaged’ skin barrier is not able to foster skin protection so all of the outside environmental garbage [pollution, cigarette smoke, toxins, etc] is/are able to permeate the skin barrier which, in turn, causes even more damage. With the skin in a weakened state, it is also susceptible to bacteria.
Balanced Skin Profile
[can become combination skin during weather changes/other changes
although can quickly bounce back with the right routine]
Characteristics
- Skin generally is in balance but may swing slightly with the seasons
- Skin is usually blemish free, but may occasionally have blackheads
- Skin feels smooth, healthy lipid [oil] and water balance
- Although typically ’feeling’ balanced this skin type may produce the
’oilies’ in the t-zone area several hours after using a
[stripping] cleanser. Even with balanced skin a harsh cleanser will
cause the skin to compensate by creating oil that has been stripped
- Pores are normal in size (not too large, not too small)
- Healthy/Balanced skin provides a barrier that has not been
compromised and is able to protect the dermis from external toxins,
pollution, etc. This is the ultimate goal.
Standards to Avoid
- Chemically laden ingredients
- Long, hot baths and/or showers
- Environmental stressors: pollution, harsh wind, smoking
- The worst enemy: too much SUN
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with
SLS, SLES, etc. as their acronym[s]
- Comedogenic ingredients [true ones that is]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Alcohol based toners [made with SD alcohol]
- Chlorinated water
- Use a shower filter if possible
Positive Contributing Factors
- Always be proactive in your choices and skin care diligence
- Excellent diet
- Avoiding white flour and white sugar, processed foods, alcohol and smoking
- When we are very fortunate, hereditary factors kick in
- A lifetime of teaching from childhood to encourage healthy
habits as well as techniques and workable strategies to
keep sunlight to a minimum
and using gentle skin care products
Dry Skin Profile [lacks oil]
Characteristics
- Skin lacks natural oil content as well as the ability to hold moisture
to the skin.
- Skin may appear flaky, rough, scaly
- Typically, pores are small although depending on the condition
of the skin barrier, pores can be quite large
- Prone to developing premature lines and wrinkles
- Winter conditions tend to cause redness, irritation, peeling and
chapping - Skin can be very thin and delicate
- Superficial lines appear although disappear when moisturized
NOTE: it takes sufficient natural oil production to create the glue
needed for the cells to retain oils
Standards to Avoid
- Chemically laden ingredients
- Long, hot baths and/or showers
- Environmental stressors: pollution; harsh wind; smoking;
- The worst enemy: too much SUN
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with
SLS, SLES, etc. as their acronym[s]
- Comedogenic ingredients [true ones that is]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Alcohol based toners [made with SD alcohol]
- Chlorinated water
- Use a shower filter if possible
Positive Contributing Factors
- Always be proactive in your choices and skin care diligence
- Excellent diet
- Unrefined, cold pressed flax seed oil capsules can help tremendously
with topical lubrication
- Avoiding white flour and white sugar, processed foods, alcohol
and smoking
- A lifetime of teaching from childhood to encourage healthy habits
as well as techniques and workable strategies to keep sunlight t
a minimum and using gentle skin care products
Thoughts
- Topically increase the use of cholesterol, ceramides and free fatty acids
- Diabetes can cause serious skin conditions to arise
- Diuretics, antihistamines, etc. can contribute to dry skin
- Extremely dry skin can be indicative of thyroid imbalance
- Using a humidifier in the winter can be very helpful to help keep skin
moist
- Use only soap bars that have been super-fatted to help keep the skin
barrier from being stripped
Blemish Prone Skin Profile
This is considered a skin condition, but can be in combination with other
skin types, such as oily, dry or dehydrated. Even aging skin can at
times be blemish prone]
Males and females can develop skin blemishes from stress and hormonal changes. The hormone androgen stimulates the sebaceous gland to produce more sebum. Sebum is a natural oil that makes the skin soft and waterproof. The oily sebum accumulates in the hair follicles as it moves up the hair shaft where it mixes with normal skin bacteria (Propionibacterium Acnes) and shedding dead follicular skin cells. The dead cells normally get pushed to the surface where they are expelled. The more sebum is produced the greater the chances of the follicles being clogged, potentially resulting in skin blemishes.
Characteristics
- Skin which can over produce oil, naturally
- Clogged pores
- Can have any type of blemish, but generally starts off in this order:
~ open comedone [blackhead]
~ closed comedone [whitehead]
~ papule [raised bump type pimple - usually pink or flesh colored]
~ pustule [raised bump that has pus in it from inflammation
~ nodule [raised bump type lesion that is larger than a papule and usually painful ]
~ cyst [deep pustular type infection - caused by intense inflammation in the pore
- Inflammation of the pores w/whiteheads
- Redness and irritation
- When treating and there is no positive reaction, it could be hormonally related
- Typically large pores on forehead, nose, chin, cheeks
Standards to Avoid
- Chemically laden ingredients
- Long, hot baths and/or showers
- Environmental stressors: pollution, harsh wind, smoking
- The worst enemy: too much SUN
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with
SLS, SLES, etc. as their acronym[s]
- Comedogenic ingredients [true ones that is]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Alcohol based toners [made with SD alcohol]
- Chlorinated water - Use a shower filter if possible
Positive Contributing Factors
- Skin care routine that consistently and gently keeps the pores
unclogged
- Excellent diet
- Unrefined, cold pressed flax seed oil capsules can help
tremendously with topical lubrication
- Practice Stress Reduction Techniques if acne is stress related
- Avoiding white flour and white sugar, processed foods, alcohol and smoking
- A lifetime of teaching from childhood to encourage healthy habits
as well as techniques and workable strategies to keep sunlight
to a minimum and using gentle skin care products
Thoughts
- Topically, include sulfur based products, gentle acids, etc to fight bacteria
- Using a humidifier in the winter can be very helpful to help keep skin moist
- Use only soaps that have been super-fatted to help keep the
skin barrier from being stripped
Dehydrated Skin Profile [lacks water]
Dehydration aka ’surface dehydration’ is lacking in moisture within the skin. This can be a life long problem or it can come about depending on the seasons. Moisture is quickly depleted from the skin through environmental elements such as wind and the sun. Although drinking the recommended amount of water throughout the day helps significantly, the skin also has to be moisturized from the outside in. Keep in mind the importance of surface exfoliation [removal of dead, gummy skin cells] to allow the moisture from the top to penetrate the skin. Dehydration of the skin is not hereditary but due to lack of moisture.
~ Dry skin is lacking in it’s natural oil content. (see our profile on dry skin) Age also plays an important factor in this dilemma. As our skin ages we will see/feel a significant drop in the levels of fats/lipids/oils in our skin surface as well as a drop in the level of ceremide we naturally produce. A ceremide is part of the structural matrix of our skin.
~ To add to the confusion, oily skin can also be dehydrated. Most of us figure if our skin feels taught that slathering on creams will take care of the problem. This is not necessarily the case. Dry skin yes oils/creams are needed while dehydrated skin will need moisture/humectants and oils to act as a barrier to combat the situation. Young people can also be plagued with dry and/or dehydrated skin due to environmental conditions such as over exposure to the sun, wind and toxins.
The ironic and most important statement of all is:
It takes both water and oil to create a balanced skin surface.
What this means [to summarize] is that your skin can be lacking in surface oil content while also depleted in moisture content which brings about one or more of the symptoms below
Symptoms include
- Tightness, flakiness, scaly
- If gently tugged the skin crinkles
- Lack of radiance [dull look]
- Feels rough not smooth
- Loss of elasticity
- Premature aging
- Superficial lines
- Cracking
- Inflammation
- Itchy
- Irritated
Some causes/contributing factors to this skin type
- Over cleansing the skin. Even with gentle cleansers and
especially those that make the claim of being gentle but
are loaded with chemicals and cheap fillers, your skin
can have the actual barrier damaged without proper
pH balancing of said cleanser or the opportunity to
adjust the pH back to normal with acidic products such
as our Clarifying Tonic [for example].
- Environmental stress
[pollution, the sun, wind, no sunscreen, etc.]
- Bad food/diet choices. A lack of EFA [essential fatty acids]
in the diet can create havoc with the skin barrier. Itching,
dryness, thinning of the skin, flaking, etc.
- Weather! Cold weather will bring about heat inside o
our homes. Heat [without humidity], acts like a huge
sponge which will soak up the moisture from anything in
it’s path, including our skin!
If you are able to tolerate it, a humidifier is almost always
a great addition during the winter months. The Summer
months can also bring dry skin to the forefront due to
being out in the sun for an extended amount of time.
Never go without sunscreen on your face and decollete area!!
Standards to Avoid
- Chemically laden ingredients
- Long, hot baths and/or showers
- Environmental stressors: pollution; harsh wind; smoking;
- The worst enemy: too much SUN
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with
SLS, SLES, etc. as their acronym[s]
- Comedogenic ingredients [true ones that is]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Alcohol based toners [made with SD alcohol]
- Chlorinated water - Use a shower filter if possible
Positive Contributing Factors
- Hydrating moisturizers
- Keeping your skin in the best shape possible allows the
natural body temperature to help regulate the skin's
surface temperature and keep it from dehydrating as quickly
- Exercise produces sweat to help eliminate toxins
- Learning to care for our skin at a young age. By learning
young we have a lifetime of knowledge to support the
infrastructure of the skin
Consistency is key in treating your skin with respect and love
Oily Skin Profile
Oily skin is skin that has over active sebaceous glands which cause an overproduction of oil. This can be genetic and is referred to as Dihydrotestosterone DHT. This, in intself, can literally cause the skin to feel like an oil slick. This appears at puberty for both boys and girls and shows up again just before a woman begins her menstruation. Overproduction of oil [sebum] is also commonly caused by using harsh detergents, soaps that are not super fatted and harsh chemicals. Any of the above will cause the skin to 'panic' and go into overproduction mode to protect it's skin barrier. When there is too much oil produced this can/will mix with the dead skin cells causing them to stick to each other, allowing them to then adhere to the sides of the pores. This is what we call a 'clogged pore'.
Characteristics
- Medium to large pores in T-zone area, somewhat on the cheeks, too
- Skin tends to get shiny/oily not long after cleansing
- May be acne prone and clog prone
- Not as prone to fine lines and wrinkles
- In warmer weather and higher humidity, sebum production may
increase
- Stress tends to increase oil production
- Hormonal fluctuations tend to increase oil production
- In cooler, drier weather, skin may suffer from dehydration
Standards to Avoid
- Chemically laden ingredients
- Long, hot baths and/or showers
- Environmental stressors: pollution; harsh wind; smoking;
- The worst enemy: too much SUN
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with
SLS, SLES, etc. as their acronym[s]
- Comedogenic ingredients [true ones that is]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Alcohol based toners [made with SD alcohol]
- Chlorinated water - Use a shower filter if possible
Positive Contributing Factors
- Skin ages much slower [fine lines, wrinkles, etc.]
Rosacea Skin Profile
As Rosacea typically presents itself with a rosey red rash it is surmised that this involves inflammation of small blood vessels in the facial capillaries. These capillaries (often called distended capillaries or broken capillaries) extend into the capillary walls. This is due partially to poor elasticity in the capillary wall. There are also other theories as to the cause of rosacea, including yeast, mite or bacterial overgrowth, unhealthy bowels and overgrowth of bacteria in the bowels. Rosacea represents itself in 4 sub-stages. (We have put the sub stage Couperose below on this list) Each stage becoming more intense than the last. We have kept the stages relating directly to facial skin. Although rosacea in its worst stages can cause thickening of the skin and also effect the eyes.
Symptoms:
- Red rash appearing on nose and/or cheeks
- Pustules [small, pus filled bumps]
- Papules [small, inflamed bumps]
- Watery, irritated eyes
- Small blood vessels appearing on the surface of the skin usually near
the nose, cheeks or chin
Characteristics:
- Tends to be easily irritated
- Skin tends to flush when exposed to irritating substances/products
- May react due to temperature/humidity changes
- May react during times of stress
- May react to fluctuations in hormone levels
- May also react to certain foods and substances, especially spicy foods,
alcohol or nicotine
- May react to sunlight
- Can become dehydrated due to transepidermal water loss
- In some rosacean skin, the constant flushing can effect the sebaceous
glands causing acne pustules
Try to avoid, as these are definite contribution factors:
- Spicy foods [increases heat]
- Smoking [restricts blood flow]
- Direct sun exposure to the face
- Chemically laden ingredients/skin care
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with
SLS, SLES, etc. as their acronym[s]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Ingredients known to cause irritation
- Hot showers or hot water when washing the skin
- Chlorinated water - Use a shower filter if possible
Possible Contributing Factors
- Alcohol (increases heat and also feeds bacteria in gut)
- Various medications
- Try to avoid acidic foods and drinks
- Not getting enough sleep
See Related Condition - Couperose Skin Profile [below]
Mature Skin Profile
This skin type generally has been damaged from too much sun when younger, damaging skincare products, poor health and/or smoking and alcohol consumption. Sometimes excess pharmaceutical medications also play a role. Environmental factors can also play a factor - Living in highly polluted areas, really dry areas or working indoors most of your life where fresh air does not circulate well in the building.
Symptoms:
- Skin texture has a loss of firmness, is thinner and may have
wrinkles, fine lines
- Skin is thinner
- Skin has wrinkles or fine lines
- Skin may be loose or sagging on face, jaw, near chin, cheeks or
eyes
- Fluctuations in skin moisture levels caused by hormonal imbalances
Characteristics:
- Skin tends to lack vibrance and luster - lack of "Glow"
- Looks less plump and smooth
- Skin can have patchy areas of dryness
- Skin is generally dry and dehydrated but occasionally can be oily
- May have dark spots or discoloration
- May have broken capillaries
Standards to Avoid:
- Chemically laden ingredients
- Long, hot baths and/or showers
- Environmental stressors: pollution; harsh wind; smoking;
- The worst enemy: too much SUN
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with
SLS, SLES, etc. as their acronym[s]
- Comedogenic ingredients [true ones that is]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Alcohol based toners [made with SD alcohol]
- Chlorinated water - Use a shower filter if possible
Positive Contributing Factors
- Using a humidifier in the winter can be very helpful to help keep
skin moist
- Always be proactive in your choices and skin care diligence
- Excellent diet
- Unrefined, cold pressed borage, flax, evening primrose or black
currant seed oil capsules can help tremendously topical lubrication
- Avoiding white flour and white sugar, processed foods, pharmaceutical
medications(when possible), alcohol and smoking
- A lifetime of teaching from childhood to encourage healthy habits as
well as techniques and workable strategies to keep sunlight to
a minimum and using gentle skin care products
- Consistency is key in treating your skin with respect and love
Couperose Skin Profile: Product Suggestions
[This skintype can be associated with temporary or chronic
reddening and/or flushing of the skin.]
Symptoms
- Broken capillaries or thread veins twisting around on the surface of
the skin (Visible to the Naked Eye)
- Intense red flushing
- Persistent redness
- Patches of redness especially on nose and cheeks
Characteristics
- Tends to be easily irritated
- Skin tends to flush when exposed to irritating substances/products
- Although couperose can affect any skin type, dry and thin is the
most common
- Tends to affect Caucasian skin more than any other skin type
(This is probably due to darker skin having the melanin to
protect it)
- May react due to temperature/humidity changes
- Tends to react to sunlight
- Tends to react to anything that increases blood supply to the skin
- May react during times of stress
- May react to fluctuations in hormone levels
- Certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure can also
contribute to couperose skin
- May also react to certain foods and substances, especially spicy foods,
alcohol, and/or nicotine
- Can become dehydrated due to transepidermal water loss
- Often confused with Typical Rosacea due to similarity of conditions.
- Often grouped with Rosacea as a sub type.
- This is kind of like Rosacea amped up!
Try to avoid, as these are definite contribution factors
- Spicy foods [increases heat]
- Smoking [restricts blood flow]
- Direct sun exposure to the face
- Chemically laden ingredients/skin care
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with
SLS, SLES, etc. as their acronym[s]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Ingredients known to cause irritation
- Hot showers or hot water when washing the skin
(USE a shower filter if possible!)
Possible Contributing Factors
- Alcohol (increases heat and also feeds bacteria in gut)
- Various medications
- Try to avoid acidic foods and drinks
- Not getting enough sleep
- Possible connection to sugar in the diet and rosacea
(or foods that convert to glucose quickly)
See related condition - Rosacea [above]
Combination Skin Profile
This skin type is usually a combination of oily and dry areas of the skin. This skin type can shift towards being normal during summer and more dehydrated during winter time. The key to this skin type is to be really gentle with it, and not use drying cleansers, toners or other potentially irritating products. Some try to treat the areas separately, but this can lead the skin to feeling further confusion. It is best touse gentle, balanced products. The skin will find its own balance if you follow this suggested protocal.
Symptoms
- Skin is usually a combination of oily areas and dehydrated areas
- Pores in t-zone are generally larger than the other areas of the face
- Excess Oil in t-zone
Characteristics
- Dehydrated/Dry Flakey areas on cheeks and around eye area
- Tightness in cheek area
Standards to Avoid
- Chemically laden ingredients
- Long, hot baths and/or showers
- Environmental stressors: pollution; harsh wind; smoking;
- The worst enemy: too much SUN
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with
SLS, SLES, etc. as their acronym[s]
- Comedogenic ingredients [true ones that is]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Alcohol based toners [made with SD alcohol]
- Chlorinated water - Use a shower filter if possible
- Synthetic fragrances
Possible Contributing Factors
- Using a cleanser (or toner) that is stripping
- Chlorinated water in your shower or sink water
(water you wash your face with)
- USE a shower filter
- Weather (especially during winter time)
- Not getting enough sleep
|
