How to Determine Your Skin Type/Skin Complaint-
- Sensitive– This is probably the most tricky type to deal with. Prone to redness, reactions and rashiness. It could be certain things that bother you- ingredients like fragrance and preservatives, it could be anything including plant extracts. The Ordinary is a good brand for sensitive skin, they are transparent with their ingredients and nothing contains fragrance or anything unnecessary- the fewer ingredients the better.
- Rosacea– Causes redness, flushing, visible blood vessels and spots. It comes and goes in an unpredictable fashion. Hopefully you will have already seen a doctor if you suspect that you have rosacea, you’re best off with dermatological help.
- Dry– If your skin drinks up anything you put on it, appears dull and flaky, it doesn’t seem to produce oil of it’s own then it is dry.
- Eczema prone– The key feature of eczema is itchiness. The skin is dry, inflamed and compromised.
- Excess oil– Shiny after minutes of washing, makeup doesn’t stay on, prone to clogged pores and more likely to become spotty. There are upsides to this skin type, you’re probably going to age slower for one, as your skin is naturally moisturised minute by minute.
- Acne prone– When the skin produces so much oil that the pores get blocked and infected, the spots can be on the surface as whiteheads or deep under the surface as cysts.
- Bumpy/textured– Closed comedones as they are called can lead to bumpy uneven skin. It’s a type of acne but doesn’t get inflamed, red and painful like inflammatory acne.
- Clogged/blocked pores– Open comedones or blackheads are common in those with oily skin. Not to be confused with sebaceous filaments which everyone has over their nose.
- Pigmented– Could be due to sun exposure, hormones or inflammation, causing brown or grey patches. More common in darker skins.
- Melasma– Similar to general pigmentation but more common in women, tends to have a symmetrical appearance and can be deeper in the skin than other types of pigmentation therefore more difficult to treat.
- Wrinkles– Deep or fine and superficial, Could be due to ageing, dryness, dehydration, movement of muscles or sun damage.
- Dehydrated– Can happen to any skin type and is difficult to diagnose. worsened by overzealous cleansing, heat, air conditioning, sunburn… It is a temporary condition that can be helped enormously with correct skincare. Causes tight, uncomfortable creepy skin.
- Compromised– Similar to dehydrated, the moisture barrier is damaged by harsh skincare causing redness, discomfort, dryness and possible breakouts.
- Acne scarred– Acne that has healed leaving pits, bumps and pigmented spots.
- Dark circles– Very difficult to solve, could be genetic pigmentation or thin skin making the skin under the eye look dark.
- Puffiness– Oedema/swelling under the eyes making the skin look puffy and giving a tired appearance.
The Best The Ordinary Products
- Marine Hyaluronics– A light hydrator which is great for supporting healthy skin and giving plumpness. It has no conflicts, works for all skin types and can be used to dissolve the vitamin C powder. Marine Hyaluronics £5.90 for 30mls
- Amino Acids + B5– Has an oilier texture than Marine Hyaluronics, good for supporting the skin barrier. It has no conflicts and works for all skin types. Amino Acids + B5 £5.90 for 30mls
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc– Niacinamide has a lot of uses- it’s good for acne, inflammation, hydration, pigmentation, aging. Conflicts with pure vitamin C, although there is some controversy about this. Niacinamide 10% +B5 £5 for 30mls
- Lactic Acid 10%– This is my favourite exfoliator, it’s gentler than glycolic acid and more hydrating. It’s less likely to cause irritation than glycolic or salicylic and more effective than mandelic. Conflicts with peptides and EUK-134. Lactic Acid 10% +HA £5.80 for 30mls
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%– I love this stuff, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate + Vitamin F 20% is probably an equal favourite. It’s an antioxidant and can help with pigmentation but also works as a moisturiser. It sinks in an makes a great base for sunscreen and makeup. MAP 10% for 30mls
- Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%– A serum with an oily texture. It’s to be used at night on it’s own and gives a nice glowing complexion the next day. It has a really satisfying warming sensation to it. It’s only £5.90, compared with other Alpha Lipoic Acid containing products (eg Dr Perricone costs around £60 for a serum containing ALA). Alpha Lipoic Acid 5% £5.90 for 30mls
- B Oil– This is my favourite oil to recommend (see my review of B Oil). I’ve stopped using oils all together due to concerns that they are clogging my pores. My skin has been better since I stopped using them in all honesty. B Oil £8.90 for 30mls
The Ordinary Best Product For Your Skin Type ‘App’ Thingy
- EUK-134 can’t be used with acids or pure vitamin C
- Peptides can’t be used with acids or pure vitamin C
- Copper peptide can’t be used with acids, vitamin C or strong antioxidants (Alpha Lipoic Acid, Resveratrol + Ferulic Acid and EUK 134).
- Niacinamide and pure vitamin C shouldn’t be used together
The Deciem Chatroom has a good table for checking conflicts.
Which The Ordinary Products Should You Get For Your Skin Type
Which The Ordinary Oil is Best For Me
