SKIN-TYPE TRUTHS

It’s common to make mistakes at the beauty counter. And those mistakes can be costly. The key is a proper understanding of your skin type — and the best person to determine that is you. Here’s how. Dryness: Dryness and dehydration are easily confused. Skin that feels instantly better after applying moisturizer is dehydrated. Skin that’s dry will continue to feel “thirsty” for moisture. Richer creams are an obvious solution but avoid using them around the eye area, as they may cause problems like milia — small, hard white bumps. Dehydration: Rest your finger along the bottom of your cheek and press upward. If fine horizontal lines appear, skin is likely to be dehydrated. Another indication is “puckering” on the eyelid. The solution is humectants, which hold water on the skin. Applying a serum between toner and face cream is another option since the serum is effectively “trapped” on the skin. Puffiness: With your fingertips, gently press around the eyes, working from the inside out along the orbital bone. That “squishy” feeling can be a sign of poor circulation, often the cause of puffiness. Opt for gel-based products, which sometimes feel cooling, and are more effective at combating puffiness. Sagging: Lay your hand vertically against the side of your face. Now gently rub up and down. Skin move easily underneath? You might need to swap to products designed for combating ageing. Now pinch the skin and notice how quickly it springs back. The longer it takes, the greater your need. Dullness: Skin that looks lacklustre is easy to spot but a definitive indication is how well your foundation “sits”. If it “sticks” to your skin, making it appear rough in texture, you could need a good exfoliator. Try a handy cleanser/exfoliating combo such as Joyce Blok’s Alpha Beta Cleanser ($52). Sensitivity: If your skin inflames quickly, stings when a product is applied or responds poorly when you change things out, see a dermatologist. True sensitivity is a condition best handled by them. Oily skin: The most apparent signs of oily skin are large pores, shininess and breakouts. Products designed to help vary in approach but always look for those that claim to be gentle. Overstimulating oily skin with harsh astringents and cleansers will only make things worse.