Skin conditions have three main categories. The conditions are named oily, dry, and combination. They all affect us differently and it is best to know how to treat each one.

The Need to Know About Dry Skin

Dry skin is caused by a lack of moisture in the outermost layer of the skin. This layer consists of a thin layer of natural lipids, or fatty substances. They prevent moisture from escaping. This in turn leaves the skin soft and supple. When this substance is removed and moisture escapes, common symptoms result in feelings of skin tightness, rough skin, fine lines or cracks, and in extreme cases deep fissures that can bleed.

To prevent this from happening here are some helpful tips. Moisturizing your skin daily is our first and foremost tip. After your shower pat yourself without rubbing too hard with the towel. When the skin is still a little damp, apply the moisturizer all over your neck and face using upward strokes. It is important to note that the body's natural moisture barriers are maintained when your baths are short and lukewarm. Long and hot baths remove these essential barriers that let out this essential moisture.

The Need to Know About Oily Skin

What causes oily skin are sebaceous glands producing an excessive amount of skin oils, or sebum. The most plentiful amount of these glands are found in the neck, face, back and chest regions of the body. These oils are necessary for a healthy skin texture. When they are overproduced however, the oily skin symptoms of shininess, blemishes and pimples show up on the body.

To treat oily skin you want to be able to remove the excess oil without removing the fatty acids that keep our skin protected and functioning properly. In a nutshell this is accomplished through gentle cleansing. What to do here is avoid soap because this is what effectively removes the skin's natural oils. One would be best with a cleanser that has a low pH level and does not cause skin irritation. Overdoing it is not necessary. Two times a day is enough to wash oily skin effectively.

The Need to Know About Combination Skin

The third type of skin condition is called combination skin. As the name mentions, this condition is marked by a combination of dry and oily skin affecting different areas of the face and body. Usually what is found are oily areas covering what is called the T-zone. This zone covers the forehead running down through the nose, mouth, and chin. These areas are most likely going to end up with characteristics of being shiny, feeling greasy, and consisting of pimples and blackheads. The other sections of the face are known to have a feeling of tightness after washing your skin. They will look flaky and have a rough texture.

What is the way to treat this tricky skin condition? To begin with use a gentle, water-soluble cleanser that does not leave you with feelings of skin tightness or dryness. Mildly foaming or gel-based cleansers are known to work the best for combination skin. Avoid bar soaps at all costs. They clog pores and overly dry the skin. One should apply a sunscreen that has UVA-protecting ingredients on a daily basis. Using a skin treatment product like a moisturizer full of antioxidants and containing ingredients that resemble the structure of normal skin is the best way to tackle the dry sections. Oily skin products that don't cause irritation and are pH-correct are recommended to be applied at least once a day. Facial skin products that contain benzoyl peroxide are encouraged to be applied topically if one gets blemishes as part of their combination condition.