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Are There Different Types Of Skin?

Normal Skin: Results from a balance of the normal skin functions (including new skin cells being formed and old ones being lost, together with well-controlled water loss, sebum secre¬tion and sweating). This creates a balanced state of suppleness, elasticity, color and hue which is often associated with pre-adolescents.

Dry skin: Characterized most by a sensation of tightness, rough and scaly patches and at its worst – cracked areas of skin. Areas of dry skin may also arise from apparently normal skin, or sometimes even oily skin, that has been temporarily dried out, whether by sunburn, exposure to extremes of climate (cold, heat, wind or dryness) or chemicals

Oily skin: Generally appears at puberty although in a few people it starts much earlier, from the age of six upwards. It is rare after the age of 35. It involves only the upper part of the body, where greater numbers of sebaceous glands are found. This type of skin is particu¬larly common in adolescents and young adults. At this age, there is a dramatic increase in sebum production under the influence of the male sex hormones. The extra sebum gives the skin a shiny appearance, especially on the nose and forehead.

Combination skin: Characterized on the face by areas of oily skin combined with areas of dry skin. In addition to these recognized types of skin, many people believe that they have ‘sensitive skin’. Doctors and scientists do not completely agree on the definition of ‘sensitive skin’, but it is generally considered skin which is easily irritated.

How Does Skin Change As We Age?

Kristina Vanoosthuyze works in External Relations at Gillette in a Scientific Communications role, more commonly known as a “sci-comm”.

As we grow out of childhood our skin naturally changes. During the teenage years hormonal changes account for an increase in sebum secretion sometimes resulting in acne. Later in life, this hormone production declines. As we age, the rate of loss of the old skin cells slows down and the epidermis gradually gets less translucent and does not retain water so well. The skin’s functions take place more slowly in mature skin. In addition, the damage to the dermis, caused by the sun over the years, can now be seen even through the dry epidermis. This is why older skin looks dry and less radiant.

Source: Gillette: Grooming the Modern Man