The Perfect Organic Products For Your Skin Type

Posted September 20, 2012

GUEST POST BY HELENE LARSON.

Everyone has a different skin type, so it is important to know what skin type you have, so you can use the right products to get your best skin ever! Your skin also changes from season to season, so sometimes what suits your skin really well in winter might be too rich for you in summer.

Here’s a quick run-down of the different skin types, and some recommendations for natural and organic skincare products that will really suit your skin.

Normal skin

Very few people have a normal skin type, but if you are one of these lucky few, your skin will be well balanced with a smooth texture that is neither greasy nor dry. You won’t have any visible pores, and breakouts are rare. You probably will get complimented regularly on your gorgeously glowing skin!

For a normal skin type, I love the La Mav Organic Skin Science “Age Defence” product range (www.lamav.com). If you have more mature skin, the “Wrinkle-smoothing” range might be the one for you.

Dry skin

In Australia with its harsh sun, many people tend towards drier skin. Dry skin seems to worsen with age, too. Dry skin has a low level of sebum (oil) and can be prone to sensitivity. If you have dry skin it usually feels tight and uncomfortable after washing, and it probably gets chapped and cracked in winter. Dry skin is also more prone to wrinkles and fine lines.

For drier skin, Kora Organics (www.koraorganics.com) has a beautiful creamy cleanser and hydrating day and night cream that are ideal.

Oily skin

If you have oily skin, it tends to be shiny, thicker in texture and often has large, clogged pores and blemishes. With an oily skin, the oil-producing sebaceous glands are overactive and produce more oil than is needed, particularly through the T-zone. This can give the skin a greasy shine.

To combat oil and keep those spots under control, keeping your skin cleansed every day is essential. Remember to exfoliate your skin too – twice a week is great. This will buff off dead skin cells, oil and dirt, and keep your pores clear and healthy. I’d suggest trying Burt’s Bees Natural Anti-Blemish Solutions range (www.burtsbees.com.au), which is specifically formulated to control oiliness, clogged pores and blemishes.

Combination skin

Combination skin is probably the most common skin type, and is generally a mixture of two different types of skin. Characteristically this combination is an oily t-zone – oily across the forehead, down the bridge of the nose and along the bottom of the chin – with the rest of the face feeling normal to dry.

If you have combination skin you need to be careful that the products you choose are not too rich, as you may find breakouts occurring. Look for lighter, gel formulations in summer, and creamier products in winter.

I really like Kosmea’s Clarifying Facial Wash (www.kosmea.com.au) for combination skin, and their Replenishing Moisture Cream. This is also a great range for sensitive skin. They use Organic Rosehip Oil in all their products, which is incredible for healing, hydrating, strengthening and protecting our skin.

Sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin you probably know it already! Most of the time sensitive skin appears almost translucent, with visible surface veins. It is prone to reaction and irritation, and often looks dry, red, blotchy and flaky. If you have sensitive skin you may also have eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis.

Using products suited for sensitive skin will really help to keep it strong and healthy. The Purist Company (www.purist.com) recently introduced a range for sensitive skin, Pure Therapy, which I am really liking!

Dehydrated skin

Dehydrated skin is often confused with dry skin, but it is not actually a skin type. It is a skin condition that you can have even if your skin is oily, as it refers to a lack of water, or moisture, in your skin, not a lack of oil. Dehydration often leads to thinning of the skin, and the premature development of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet. I find my skin gets very dehydrated in winter, which is why it is good to use a more nourishing, hydrating face care range in winter, when there is less humidity in the air to keep up your skin’s moisture levels.

I recently discovered Vanessa Megan Organic Skincare (www.vanessamegan.com) and their products are divine! For a great moisture boost, try their Marine Collagen Intensive Night Cream.
One last tip: Our eyes are one of the first places to show signs of ageing, as they lack those essential oil glands, which keep our skin supple and smooth. Remember to include an eye cream or gel (depending on your skin type) in your daily skincare routine.
Do you know what skin type you are and which products you should use?

Author bio: Helene Larson is the beauty editor of Nature and Health magazine. She also has qualifications in economics and public relations, works as a career coach, and worked as a make-up artist for 10 years before starting at Nature and Health eight years ago.

Positive affirmation for the day: I am assertive and stand up for myself.

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