Cosmetic Surgery & Beauty #73

feature
Where
does
your
skin
fit in?
Get to know your
skin type for your
best skin yet!
Knowing your skin type is a no-brainer in order
to choose the right skincare products and
treatments for you. But accurate skin typing
goes way beyond the traditional (and antiquated)
‘dry’, ‘oily’, ‘combination’ and ‘sensitive’.
‘The traditional skin type categories are
inaccurate and incomplete. Not only can a person
be both dry and sensitive (or oily and sensitive),
these broad categories do not account for an
individual’s tendency to wrinkle or form excess
pigment,’ says US dermatologist, researcher and
author of the best-selling book The Skin Type
Solution Dr Leslie Baumann.
‘I set out to develop my skin typing system
[see over page] as a way to clear up confusion.
My fellow dermatologists were confused about
the products and treatments to recommend to
their patients, and patients were confused by all
of the skincare options and misinformation. This
confusion led to frustration and my goal was to
simplify and demystify skincare once and for all,’
says Dr Baumann.
Terri Vinson, cosmetic chemist and founder and
formulator of Synergie Skin, says the ideal skincare
regimen involves a base of essential products that
are suitable for all skin types. ‘These ingredients
include retinol, niacinamide and antioxidants such
as L-ascorbic acid. From this point we can then
introduce specialised serums and products to
target each skin profile specifically,’ she says.
‘For example, oily skin will require ingredients
to address oil flow, bacteria and congested
pores,’ Vinson explains. ‘Sensitive skin will require
ingredients to combat redness, pruritus, stinging
and inflammation. Pigmentation involves controlling
excess melanin production and wrinkled skin
requires anti-ageing ingredients, which stimulate
collagen and hydration.’
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