We see hundreds of brands coming up with their line of skin serums. Each promises to restore the glow and life of our skin. But is that new chemical everyone raves about really good for your skin type?
It’s not a secret that everyone has a different skin type. What worked for one doesn’t necessarily work for others – especially for dry and oily skin types. These two types are polar opposite in properties and require different ingredients and regimens.
Serums truly will be a game-changer for your skin, whether dry or oily. So, it’s best to use the one that perfectly suits your skin. Let’s learn about these and make an informed decision.
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How do people tackle this professionally?
Professional skin care helps in controlling and preventing such conditions. But you should be able to choose what you need before consulting a cosmetologist. Most salons treat these conditions with the variety of serums that are available on the market. Also the experience you get at such salons is pretty much worth it.
Who knows, it might even get you interested in starting a career in cosmetology. In case you do, we suggest you to take cosmetology practice test. Professional studies help you understand the human scalp and skin better.
Understanding Your Skin Type
There are four basic skin types. Oily, combination, dry and normal. Each skin type secretes a lubricant known as sebum from the sebaceous glands found in the dermal layers.
One wonders why we need this greasy sebum to host the epidermis continuously. Well, sebum is actually a work of art. It is secreted to coat the epidermis and protect from numerous pathogens and bacteria in the atmosphere.
The problem only arises when the skin’s glands produce way too much sebum or too less – and that is how the skin is classified into types.
The skin that demands the most attention is oily and dry. They are very challenging skin types to tackle if you have conditions like eczema, fungal acne, psoriasis, or rosacea.
Understanding the Bacteria
In a balanced skin flora, bacteria is an important element. Shocking right? But it is nothing but true. Just like the gut, skin also needs good bacteria for a balanced skin microbiome.
When individuals with skin conditions such as acne or psoriasis use antibiotics, they kill the bad bacteria and the good ones. It throws the skin’s balance, causing the skin to be dry and susceptible to more outbreaks.
Oily Skin
As discussed earlier, oily skin produces a lot of sebum, which often results in various skin conditions. But what is the best way to identify if you have oily skin?
- Cosmetics wear off easily
- Visible or enlarged pores
- Shiny façade
- Frequent breakouts
- Fewer wrinkles
You may be able to find one of the few symptoms in your skin type. But the properties vary widely.
While people argue that oily skin is the worst skin type, we disagree. Oily skin has a very healthy glow, contrary to dry skin type. Also, most oily skin is thicker; hence, developing wrinkles is delayed.
The only challenge one faces is striking a balance between oily skin and overly oily skin.
Challenges of Oily Skin
When the skin produces more than normal sebum, it starts clogging pores along with dead skin cells. It is then followed by acne which results in other skin conditions if worse. Fungal acne, blind pimples, and painful pimples are common occurrences for people across the globe with oily skin types.
The skin type is hereditary or otherwise triggered by lifestyle, weather, hormonal imbalance, puberty, or menopause. Women experience outbreaks right around the menstrual cycle as a signal of hormonal havoc.
But if you incorporate a natural acne product such as acne serums, probiotics for acne, and salicylic acid – you will experience instant relief in symptoms. But of course, consult your dermatologist first. You should also only use products that kill only harmful bacteria on the skin.
Serum for Oily Skin
A serum is a great skincare product to use before moisturiser and after cleansing. It is a wrong concept that serums are not meant for oily skin as it already produces so much oil naturally.
However, most serums for oily skin have more water and less oil composition. The serums that work well for oily skin may contain vitamin C, phages, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), or hyaluronic acid. Thus, the serum’s main component isn’t necessarily oil.
Serums that are used for oily skin have properties to control the excess sebum secretion from glands. With constant use, the glands produce the controlled sebum and the skin has oil enough to keep it healthy and balanced.
Serums that are too oily and leave residues are not suitable for oily skin. It might also have comedogenic ingredients.
Comedogenic products have the potential to clog pores and result in acne breakouts. Coconut oil, avocado oil, and almond oil are some examples of comedogenic ingredients. Use these with caution and after consulting the dermatologist.
Dry Skin
Dry skin, on the other hand, produces inadequate sebum hence the condition. This causes the epidermis to have patches and dryness due to the lack of oil.
The condition can be a result of heredity, dry or cold weather, side effects of underlying health conditions, or dehydration.
Here are some of the signs of dry skin:
- The skin may appear dull
- Persistent itchiness
- Skin feels tight
- Cracks and fine lines are a common occurrence
- Skin is prone to peeling and scaling
Challenges of Dry Skin
In this condition, the skin produces lesser sebum, resulting in a dried and irritated epidermis. As a result, the skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight exposure and more prone to irritation and itchiness.
Important to note that dry skin often results from underlying health conditions such as diabetes, thyroid, liver, or kidney diseases.
Moreover, dry skin can result from lifestyle choices, harsh cold or dry weather, prolonged hot baths, heredity, chemo or radiation, or poor eating habits.
Since the epidermis has cracks, bacteria penetrates and causes various infections. As a result, skin conditions like eczema, outbreaks, and painful acne are commonly associated with dry skin.
Ideally, for dry skin, moisturisers are a lifesaver. Moreover, bath products with fewer allergens, gentle face or body wash, and serums can restore skin health.
Serum for Dry Skin
The only thing that gets the dry skin through harsh weather is serums. These oil and water-based liquids help the moisture bind to the epidermis.
A good serum that suits your skin type will hydrate the epidermis, creating the barrier that guards the skin against various pathogens and pollutants that cause skin conditions.
When skin is dry, cracked, and dehydrated, the pathogens and bacteria invade the skin due to a lack of barrier. Hence people with dry skin often complain about various skin issues.
Serum, on the other hand, compensates for the lack of oil as a barrier to the skin. As a result, the skin is healthier and less susceptible to infection and skin conditions.
Serums that contain niacinamide, panthenol, phages, hyaluronic acid, or plant-based oils are great for dry skin. These components compensate for the lack of oil produced by sebaceous glands.
Often people with dry or dehydrated skin are advised to incorporate serum in their skincare routine twice a day to see better results.
Final Word
Before trying anything new, educate yourself with all the ingredients. Understand what each ingredient does to your skin and then decide to buy.
Even then, try a patch test on the skin before full application. Certain new ingredients may not respond well to the skin and cause irritation – hence patch test is always wise.
When possible, visit the dermatologist to learn more about your skin and know what works best for your skin.
