Many of us have already been faced with the immensity of the cosmetics aisle, without knowing where to start. Oily, sensitive, mature, acne-prone, dehydrated, dry, atopic skin... The terms can seem confusing.
First of all, both men and women often have difficulty distinguishing skin type from its current condition. It is crucial to understand this difference. Skin type refers to its basic biological nature, it does not change or changes little, while the condition of the skin can fluctuate depending on various factors, whether internal or external. In other words, it is about the momentary "health" of the skin.
Skin types
There are only four types of skin: oily, combination, normal and dry.
Oily skin
Oily skin is characterized by excessive production of sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands. This overproduction results in a shiny appearance of the skin, enlarged pores, a dull complexion, and the frequent appearance of imperfections such as red or white spots as well as blackheads. Additionally, makeup tends to have difficulty lasting on this skin type. Oily skin often has a thick texture.
In general, this condition is often linked to hormonal factors, such as puberty or the menstrual cycle, or to a diet rich in fast sugars or dairy products (except cheese). Stress, tension, fatigue, genetics and hot conditions can also worsen sebum overproduction. In addition, using products that are unsuitable for your skin type, or that are too aggressive, can cause the skin to react by increasing its production of sebum to protect itself.
Dry skin
In this case, the skin lacks lipids (fat) and water on its surface, where the hydrolipidic film is located. This film acts as a barrier to protect the skin and prevent it from losing water. When there is a lack of lipids, this film cannot effectively perform its function, leading to dry skin.
Dry skin manifests itself as a persistent feeling of discomfort, with tightness throughout the day, a rough texture, redness, peeling (flaking) and thin skin.
This can be caused by genetic or external factors such as temperature, exposure to the sun, certain medications, clothing that is too tight or the use of harsh cosmetic products. In this case, it is recommended to opt for nourishing rather than moisturizing products. Favor rich to very rich textures to provide maximum comfort to your skin. In addition, favor gentle or grain-free scrubs and moisturizing masks once a week to help maintain skin hydration.
Did you know ?
Oily skin ages less quickly than dry skin: in fact the hydrolipidic film has a natural protective action against external aggressions.
Combination skin
Combination skin often poses 
a particular challenge in terms of care. The middle area of the face, called the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), tends to be oily, while the cheeks can be dry.
The needs of combination skin vary according to the seasons. In summer, it is best to use light products and mattifying creams to control shine, while in winter, richer textures like light creams or creams are recommended to moisturize dry areas.
A useful tip is to practice multi-masking when applying masks to the face. This method involves using different masks adapted to the needs of each area of your face. For example, a purifying mask can be applied to the T-zone to control excess oil, while a soothing or hydrating mask can be applied to the cheeks to nourish and soothe dry skin.
Normal skin
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Normal skin generally does not present any particular problems, but it is always essential to maintain good hydration. You have the choice between different textures of products, but avoid textures that are too rich or mattifying. A mask and scrub 1-2 times a week, depending on your needs, can help keep your skin healthy.
It is important to note that products intended for combination skin are generally also suitable for normal skin. This is explained by the fact that combination skin is essentially normal skin which can sometimes be unbalanced, with excessive sebum production in the T zone, without properly regulating this production on the cheeks.