Normal skin - It is a term widely used to refer to well-balanced skin. The T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) may be a bit oily, but overall sebum and moisture are balanced and the skin is neither too oily nor too dry.

Normal skin has:

• Fine pores

• Proper blood circulation

• A velvety, soft and smooth texture

• A fresh, rosy color and uniform transparency

• No blemishes 

• Is not prone to sensitivity.

But as a person with normal skin ages, their skin may become dry. 

Dry skin - It is used to describe a skin type that produces less sebum than normal skin. As a result of the lack of sebum, dry skin lacks the lipids that it needs to retain moisture and build a protective shield against external influences. This leads to impaired barrier function. Dry skin exists in varying degrees of severity and in different forms that are not always clearly distinguishable.

Significantly more women suffer from dry skin than men and all skin gets thinner as it ages. Elderly women with dry skin have more pronounced wrinkles and lines.

The causes of dry skin:

1. Skin moisture depends on the supply of water in the deeper skin layers and on perspiration. This water is continuously lost via:

• Perspiration: active water loss from the glands caused by heat, stress and activity.

• Trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL): the natural, passive way in which skin diffuses about half a liter of water a day from the deeper skin layers.

1. Dry skin is caused by a lack of:

• Natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) - especially urea, amino acids and lactic acid – that help to bind water.

• Epidermal lipids such as ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol which are needed for a healthy skin barrier function.

As a result, the skin’s barrier function can become compromised.

Oily skin - It is used to describe a skin type with heightened sebum production. The causes of oily skin: A number of issues trigger the overproduction of sebum:

• Genetics

• Hormonal changes and imbalances

• Medication

• Stress

• Comedogenic cosmetics (make-up products that cause irritation)

Oily skin is prone to comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and to the varying forms of acne.

Combination skin - Is when there are different skin types in the T-zone and cheeks. The so-called T-zone can differ substantially – from a very slim zone to an extended area. Combination skin is characterized by: an oily T-zone (forehead, chin and nose), enlarged pores in this area along with some impurities, and normal to dry cheeks.

The causes of combination skin

• The oily parts of combination skin are caused by an overproduction of sebum. 

• The dry parts of combination skin are caused by a lack of sebum and a corresponding lipid deficiency.

If you need help identifying your skin type, the skin test may be a useful tool. If you need further advice on how to best care for it, MINOKRI recommends that you speak to a dermatologist or pharmacist.