In the spirit of celebrating November as National Healthy Skin Month set by the American Academy of Dermatology Association, we will be providing some tips and tricks on how to keep your skin shining and healthy. Before we dive into those, we first have to identify what skin type you have.
How do I identify what skin type I have?
There are typically five types according to an online article published by Kiehls and they are:
- Oily skin refers to skin that has excess oil, most commonly throughout the t-zone of the face (forehead, nose, and chin). Oily skin tends to look shiny, feel greasy, and is often prone to blemishes and breakouts.
- Normal skin is well-balanced - not too dry or too oily. Those with normal skin are not typically prone to breakouts of flakiness and tend to have a balanced t-zone.
- Combination skin has areas they are worth dry and oily. For example, skin is typically shiny on the forehead, nose and chin, while appearing dry or normal on the cheeks.
- Dry skin is generally rough, scaly, flaking, itchy, or irritated with an overall dehydrated look and feel.
- Sensitive skin varies widely from person to person but is often characterized by visible redness and dryness. Sensitive skin may not always show visible signs and may simply have feelings of discomfort.
How do I care for my oily skin?
To keep the oil off of the skin, washing regularly should be the first on your list to do. With water, wash with a gentle soap and use warm water. A gentle soap helps soften and soothe the skin and warm water helps loosens dirt but does not harm the skin’s natural hydrating oils. Picking the right facial cleanser can be highly effective too.
In combination with rinsing the skin regularly, using what are called blotting papers can remove oil from the skin. These are special papers that pull oil from the skin without damaging the skin area.
Some moisturizers have a history of damaging oily skin, but there are some products out there that could help remove these pesky oils. Aloe vera is one possible product that can naturally sooth the skin, but keep in mind that using too much can dry out the skin.
How do I care for my normal skin?
Even though your normal skin may not have visible problems, it still will require proper care to stay healthy. Besides regularly washing your skin, picking a cleanser is a good first step to continue having your skin be as healthy as possible. A cream, oil, or gel cleanser can remove impurities and any pockets of excess oil.
A facial mask can help hydrate your normal skin! By trapping the moisture in the skin, a thin film is put onto the face can hydrate, moisturize, dry or exfoliate the skin. Be careful to not use a facial mark everyday but we recommend once per week.
How do I care for my dry skin?
The typical steps to rehydrate your skin involve using warm water for a short period of time, no drying soaps, apply moisturizers after bathing and even use a humidifier. Too much warm water at a time can remove oils from your skin causing it to dry out. Quick showers or baths are the key to success here. For your soap shopping needs, picking a skin cleanser that has oils and fats are the way to go. Right after bathing, don’t forget to moisturize up to trap the moisture from the water on your skin. Lastly, the humidifier has the chance to add moisture to the air flowing around your house.
Your primary care provider (PCP) may not be able to fully provide the total care you need to help repair your damaged skin. You may be referred to what is called a dermatologist. These are medical professionals who specialize in skin care and treatment. You can find a dermatologist near you by clicking here.
Cross Valley Health & Medicine is a primary care practice located in Newburgh NY, allowing for both virtual and in-person appointments. The practice has two medical providers on staff, Doctor Paul Saladino who is dual board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Internal Medicine and a Christian Plaza who is a family nurse practitioner. Both practitioners are eager to see new patients for the following programs: Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health Management, HIV/AIDS Care Management, Internal Medicine, Medical Marijuana Certifications, Medication-Assisted Treatment, STD/STI Care Management, and Weight Loss Management. If you are interested in becoming a patient of Cross Valley, please click here to access our online paperwork portal. Visit us online at www.crossvalleyhealth.com or give our office a call at 845-561-7075.
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