There are three main categories of skin conditions. The conditions are called oily, dry, and combination. The symptoms are different for each condition and it would be best to learn how to treat them separately.

The Need to Know About Dry Skin

What causes dry skin is a lack of moisture in the outermost layer of the skin. Natural lipids, or fatty substances, are what consist of this skin layer. They keep in moisture thereby leaving the skin soft and supple. These substances locking in moisture can be removed resulting in dry skin that has symptoms such as fine lines or cracks, a feeling of skin tightness, and a rough rather than a smooth texture. In extreme cases deep fissures may pop out that have the potential to bleed.

Here are some tips to help prevent this from happening. Moisturizing your skin daily is our first and foremost tip. Best to pat yourself lightly when drying off after showering. Apply the moisturizer with upward strokes all over your face and neck when your skin is still damp. We recommend that your baths be short and with water that is lukewarm. As relaxing as they are, long, hot baths remove the skin's natural moisture barriers that are so important in preventing dry skin.

The Need to Know About Oily Skin

Sebaceous glands in the skin producing an excessive amount of skin oil, or sebum, are what cause oily skin. These glands are most found in the neck, face, chest and back regions. These oils under normal levels are essential for healthy skin. It is when they are overproduced we get the oily skin symptoms of shininess, pimples and blemishes.

To treat oily skin you want to be able to remove the excess oil without removing the fatty acids that keep our skin protected and functioning properly. How to do this is through gentle cleansing. It is best to avoid soap as it is prone to stripping the skin of its natural oils. One would be best with a cleanser that has a low pH level and does not provoke any skin irritation. Overwashing is not going to help. Two times a day should be plenty in effectively washing oily skin.

The Need to Know About Combination Skin

The third type of skin condition is called combination skin. As the name proclaims, this condition affects people who have a mixture of dry and oily skin on different parts of their body. Usually what is found are oily areas covering what is called the T-zone. The area this zone covers starts with the forehead and then runs down the nose, mouth and chin. These areas are most likely going to end up with characteristics of being shiny, feeling greasy, and consisting of pimples and blackheads. The remaining parts of your skin are known to have a feeling of tightness after washing. They will look flaky and have a rough texture.

What is the way to treat this tricky skin condition? For starters wash your face with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser that doesn't leave your skin feeling tight or dry. Mildly foaming or gel-based cleansers are known to work best on combination skin. Avoid bar soaps at all costs. They too easily can clog your pores and they dry your skin much more than just a gentle cleanser. One should use a sunscreen that has UVA-protecting ingredients everyday. Using a skin treatment product such as a moisturizer full of antioxidants and containing ingredients that resemble the structure of healthy skin is the recommended way to tackle the dry sections. Oily skin products that don't cause irritation and are pH-correct are advised to be applied at least once a day. Facial skin products that consist of benzoyl peroxide are encouraged to be applied topically if one has a tendency to get blemishes as part of their combination condition.