The concept of ‘skin types’ has traditionally dictated the way in which we approach our skincare. We have long been told that our skin can be categorised – from oily, acne-prone and combination to dry and sensitive – and often, we choose our products and perfect our routines with this in mind. Whilst, yes, these classifications do provide us with a great starting point when it comes to targeting concerns, we should also ask, is strictly adhering to skin types the most effective way to achieve results?
As the industry has evolved and the information available has become easier to access and we have come to understand our skin a little better, it has become increasingly evident that these categories might also be far too simplistic when it comes to addressing our own unique skincare issues. Perhaps it’s time to move away from restrictive categories, or, at least, away from the notion that skin types are an absolute truth. Our skin is more like a fingerprint, unique to ourselves and possessing a combination of all types of characteristics. As rigidly formulised ‘skin types’ continue to become outdated in today’s industry, we are championing a more personalised approach to skincare, taking into account the skin’s unique concerns and conditions to ensure they are targeted effectively and individually.
Identifying Our Personal Skincare Concerns
With differences in genetics, age, routine and lifestyle all influencing your ‘skin fingerprint’, a personalised approach embraces the unique aspects of our skin, and acknowledges the need for tailored attention to garner real results. Personalised skincare offers flexibility to our routines, adapting to changes in our skin like hormonal fluctuations, ageing and even seasonal changes, allowing for an ongoing alignment with our skin’s varying needs.
Through analysing and understanding our skin’s complexity on an individual basis, we can target problem areas, address specific concerns, and prevent future issues.
Take a real look at your skin – are you experiencing dryness or dehydration? Fine lines and wrinkles? Oiliness or excess sebum production? Once you’ve honed in on where your skin concerns lie, tweaking your routine, and selecting products with ingredients that cater to these specific needs is the next step to ensuring optimal results for your unique skin profile.
We will now take you through some of our favourite ways to address common skin troubles…
Dryness And Dehydration
For those experiencing dry and dehydrated skin, particularly in the colder winter months as the weather takes its toll, incorporating skincare with ingredients that unlock deep nourishment is key. Keep an eye out for products containing Glycerine, a true skincare wonder that draws upon moisture from the environment, helping to hydrate and soften the skin whilst strengthening the moisture barrier. Plant-based oils like Jojoba, Rosehip and Argan oil, rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, aid and improve skin elasticity for those battling dryness and dehydration. Multi-tasking oils are a great way to benefit the skin, applying the nourishing goodness of natural oil blends, loaded with powerful antioxidants straight to where they are needed.
Looking closer at the formula of your products, choosing creamy or lotion-based cleansers such as our Bath House Kombu Seaweed Cleansing Milk and rich, emollient moisturisers such as our Kombu Seaweed Face Cream are another sure-fire ways to maximise hydration.
Sensitive And Reactive Skin Being mindful of your own personal skin sensitivity triggers, from synthetic chemicals to environmental factors, allows you to identify what isn’t working for you, and adjust your routine accordingly.
Simplicity is often the way forward, and avoiding overwhelming your skin with an array of products can keep sensitivity at a minimum. Ensuring that the products you do use cater to sensitivity with calming natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, Chamomile and Oat extract, help to reduce irritation and redness in reactive skin. Aloe Vera is a key ingredient in many of our skincare formulations, in our Green Clay Face Mask it works to calm and balance the skin.
Fine Lines And Wrinkles
Personalising your skincare to target fine lines and wrinkles involves a combination of preventative and targeted treatments to not only address signs of ageing, but also prevent it.
With UV exposure being a leading cause of premature ageing, shielding your skin with an SPF (yes, even on cloudy days!) is essential to preserving the skin’s youth.
To target visible signs of ageing, introducing retinoids into your routines can stimulate collagen production and promote cell turnover. In tandem, antioxidants like vitamin C and E help to protect against environmental damage, improving the skin’s tone and texture. Our vitamin-rich Kombu Seaweed Facial Serum highly concentrated blend of natural, anti-ageing ingredients, it is also includes Gatuline® Expression which visibly reduces wrinkles and creates naturally smoother skin.
Looking to specific areas of the face that may require a little extra attention, such as the eye area, allows you to customise your routine to target specific areas of ageing. Using a moisture-rich Eye Cream, specifically formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes, for instance, can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet.
Oiliness And Sebum Control
Balancing oiliness does not mean stripping the skin or omitting moisturiser; frustratingly, the more you deplete oils from your skin, the more oils it wants to produce. Looking to avoid over-cleansing, therefore, ensures that further oil production is limited, keeping the skin balanced. Maybe try a mild, balancing Facial Toner morning and night, to gentle cleanse whilst balancing the skin’s natural pH.
Regulating sebum production through selecting products with oil-absorbing ingredients like charcoal, in addition to moisturising products with a lower oil content, can be more than beneficial. Our gentle Charcoal Face Mask is a great way to treat skin as part of your weekly routine, working to control oil build up without disturbing the skin’s natural balance.
While in excess shine can be undesirable, your skin does require some oil for it to glow – the key is tweaking your routine and the products used to ensure the right balance.
The days of one-size-fits-all skincare routines are long behind us as we usher in a new era of personalised skincare, empowering us to take ownership of our routines. Achieving truly effective results begins with taking a closer look at our own personal skincare goals and making informed decisions based on what formulations and natural ingredients work best for you.
Listen closely to your skin and embrace the new wave of personalisation, taking charge of your skincare journey.
