For dry skin, opt for cleansing creams or oils. For oily skin, lightweight gel cleansers that won’t block pores but provide some hydration can be effective. A combination skin requires mild foaming or gel-based cleansers. Use gentle, unscented cleansers containing chamomile or aloe, for sensitive skin.
If your skin type is dry and sensitive, then look for a toner containing cucumber, chamomile, or rosewater as they will help in hydrating and soothing your skin. For oily and combination skin, a simple magical potion would be witch hazel (alcohol-free) or PHA toners to regulate oil without lemonade skin irritation.
If your skin type is dry, look out for hyaluronic acid serums that help your skin retain moisture. In case of oily skin, a suitable option would be a niacinamide serum. It controls oil production while keeping skin moisturised. Any vitamin C serum would work best for combination skin type as it brightens and rejuvenates skin at the same time.
- Sensitive Skin: When looking for a serum, choose one that contains green tea or beta-glucan to target sensitive skin as these are soothing extracts and provide hydration without irritation.
If you have dry skin, then you must ensure that your cream contains ceramides and squalane or shea butter which helps to seal in moisture. For oily skin, lightweight gel creams which contain hyaluronic acid can be used as it won’t be too heavy on the skin. With combination skin, get creams that will suit the combination of your complexion. For people with sensitive skin, always use a light moisturiser that does not contain any artificial fragrance.
For dry and sensitive skin, jojoba, rosehip and avocado oil can be used to treat it. Oily Skin shouldn’t be an issue if you’re using minor amounts of light oils that don’t block pores. Limit the application of oils to when you are treating the driest portions of your face because they are the only areas that need oil, if you've got combination skin.
All Skin Types: Apply a broad spectrum SPF30 or higher on a daily basis, irrespective of the skin type. Sensitive and Acne-prone skin types can get products containing zinc oxide/titanium dioxide for effective results.
Exfoliate with a gentle type once a week to reduce moisture loss and use a thick night cream if you've got dry skin. People with oily skin should use salicylic acid solutions to exfoliate the skin 2-3 times per week. Apply a light moisturising gel followed. For sensitive skin, milder exfoliators may be used. It will avoid peeling and redness. Use PHA creams to follow.
Drinking a lot of water helps to open the pores of the skin from the inside out. One can also try using a humidifier to moisten the air which will be beneficial for all types of skins because it will help in balancing the moisture.
Dr. Shristi, Aesthetic Physician, Founder, Aviv Aesthetics