Skin Basics: Know Your Skin Type

With more cleansers, creams, scrubs and serums crowding stores every day, putting together an effective skin care routine can be , entirely dependent on your viewpoint, an indulgent adventure or an overwhelming task. With a little preparation, you can simplify the process. Begin by determining your skin type and targeting your needs. Are you concerned with moisturizing dry patches or preventing breakouts? Softening lines or making skin glow?

Next, familiarize yourself with the most potent ingredients available today. Then, bone up on the myriad cosmetic procedures available in the dermatologist offices, and the safest, smartest ways to get good results.

FIVE BASIC SKIN TYPES

Wash and dry your face and leave it unmoisturized for three hours. Press a single piece of tissue or blotting paper to your face and remove it.

Normal Skin: If no oil comes off on the paper and your face doesn't feel tight or flaky.

Dry Skin: If your skin feels dry, tight or flaky and no oil appears on the paper.

Oily Skin: If oil comes off your nose, forehead and cheeks.

Combination Skin: If there is oil on your nose and forehead (the areas of the face with the most glands) but not your cheeks.

Sensitive Skin: If your skin tends to be tight and blotchy and reacts to new skin-care products by becoming red, inflamed or itchy.