Skin Care for Your Skin Type

To keep your skin healthy and looking its best, you need to customize your skin care routine for your skin type. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist in Danville, Calif., provides these basic skin care tips and suggestions.

“No matter what your skin type, using daily moisturizer and practicing year-round sun protection are vital to maintaining healthy, glowing skin,” said Dr. Badreshia-Bansal.

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“That’s because with adequate hydration and use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen, the skin has the advantage of protecting itself from free radicals and harmful ultraviolet radiation that cause skin damage, discoloration, premature wrinkles and even skin cancer. Over time, a careful and consistent skin care routine with products designed for specific skin types can gradually improve the overall health and appearance of the skin.”

Combination Skin

For combination skin, Dr. Badreshia-Bansal recommends using a mild cleanser that minimizes sebum removal. In addition, a medium-weight lotion with broad-spectrum sunscreen containing many different sunscreen ingredients is beneficial.

Dry Skin

For dry skin, Dr. Badreshia-Bansal recommends washing the face twice a day with a gentle cleanser or creamy wash with mild detergent. She suggests applying a moisturizer with sunscreen once a day right after cleansing while the skin is still damp, as this can help seal in moisture.

Oily/Acne Prone Skin

Some people with oily or acne-prone skin need to wash their face as much as two to three times a day. However, over-washing the skin also can lead to increased oil production, so a balance must be achieved based on an individual’s skin care needs. In general, using an oil-free, non-comedogenic foaming cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide is imperative to prevent breakouts.

Sensitive Skin

For sensitive skin, washing the face once a day should be enough to keep the skin clean. Dr. Badreshia-Bansal noted that exfoliation is not necessary and can worsen already sensitive skin. In the morning, Dr. Badreshia-Bansal suggested applying a cream-based moisturizer to dry skin to help prevent or reduce irritation.

For more information on improving the appearance of your skin, go to the “AgingSkinNet” section of www.skincarephysicians.com. This website was created by dermatologists to provide up-to-date information on the treatment and management of disorders of the skin, hair and nails.