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Treatments for Different Skin Types – Facial Acids

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Today we will be talking about what skincare products, specifically facial acids, benefit various skin types. Based on the American Academy of Dermatology Association, there are five different types of skin which are: sensitive, normal, dry, oily, and combination. Most adults and teenagers are aware of which type their skin falls under. If you are unsure of what type yours is, here is a fast test you can do at home to determine your skin type before we explore the various products.

Skin Determination Test:

In order to determine what type of skin you have, make sure to grab a cleanser and head to your bathroom while following these quick steps!

  1. Wash your face with the cleanser.
  2. Dry with a towel and do not apply any products such as toners or moisturizers afterwards.
  3. Note what your skin looks and feels like after 30 minutes and how anything may change in your skin’s appearance after a few hours.

Normal skin is even and clear with no signs of sensitivity.

Oily skin appears shiny and feels greasy.

Dry skin feels tight and can present as flaky, itchy, or have rough patches.

Combination skin shows some areas that are dry and some that appear oily.

Sensitive skin may bring about a red/pink appearance and reacts easily if there is a change in environment such as the weather.

Facial Acids to Use for Different Skin Types:

Now that we have discussed the different skin types, we can get into the different acids that can be integrated into your skincare routine. As discussed by the Cleveland Clinic, face acids work as exfoliants which benefit the skin through enhancing its appearance of being smoother and brighter.

Oily skin: The purpose of an acid meant to help oily skin is to help decrease the shiny appearance. Overproduction of sebum, which is an oil that our skin naturally produces, is what causes oily skin and can cause pores to become clogged. In order to combat this, those with oily skin should look for a facial acid that helps decrease the amount of sebum and unclog pores. An acid that best suits this role is salicylic acid. Based on an article from the Cleveland Clinic, this acid has the ability to, “help unclog pores by getting in deep and removing sebum and other oils that can lead to breakouts.” There are salicylic acid serums available to buy which is a great option for those looking for a specific concentration. There are also many products that incorporate salicylic acid into their ingredients so there are a variety of options for those looking for the right product to use.

Dry Skin: In order for dry skin to be treated we want something that will boost hydration in the skin. The best acid to use that has this property is hyaluronic acid. Our bodies are actually able to produce hyaluronic acid which aids in hydration and lubrication of the entire body. By introducing hyaluronic acid into areas of the skin that are drier than others it will work to retain more moisture and give a hydrated appearance to the skin.

Combination skin: Since those with combination skin deal with areas that differ in texture it is a good idea to use a combination of acids meant to deal with each skin concern. The most common concerns are dry areas in certain areas and oily areas in others. To deal with dry areas, hyaluronic acid would be the best option due to its hydrating properties previously mentioned. As for oily areas of the skin there are two options available: salicylic acid or glycolic acid. We learned about the benefits brought by salicylic acid so let us take a bit of time to discuss glycolic acid. It works as a great exfoliant which helps to improve skin texture and reduce sebum production. It can also work to increase collagen production which is what supports and strengthens the skin. The choice of which acid to use for oily-combination skin is totally up to you and what treatment you would like for the areas of concern. 

Sensitive skin: The most common issue that those with sensitive skin deal with is redness that persists for long periods of time. The goal of an acid meant to treat sensitive skin is to not only reduce redness but also soothe the areas. Since this skin type reacts easily, it is important that any products used are gentle on the skin. An acid that contains soothing properties is azelaic acid. It is described by the Cleveland Clinic as being, “most effective in evening out skin tone and can help clear up redness, rosacea and melasma.” This acid is a great option for those who deal with such skin conditions.

Normal skin: With normal skin the best type of acids to use include hyaluronic and glycolic acid. Hyaluronic acid will work to keep up with proper hydration of the skin and glycolic acid by improving skin texture allowing for a smoother appearance.

Application and Reminders:

Now that we have discussed the variety of exfoliating acids to use for each skin type you have an idea of which is best for you. An important reminder when introducing any new skincare product to your regime is to do a patch test first. Sometimes allergic reactions may occur so doing a quick patch test helps to prevent continued use of a product that can harm your skin.

Once you know that the product is safe for your skin, the best way to go about using any kind of facial acid is to apply them after washing your face and following up with a moisturizer.

I hope this post helped you better understand how to take care of your skin!

This post was written for Healthy Young Nevada by Abigail, an intern at Immunize Nevada.

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