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What Face Wash Should You Use?

Being aware of your skin type is the first step to keeping clear skin. The second step is to keep it clean. Our skin types can change with the seasons, for example, someone who has oily skin in the summer may have combination skin in the winter. Check our previous blog here to find out your skin type. No matter the season, it’s important to keep our skin clean and free of dirt and oil.

Combination skin – Combination skin is best treated with a cleansing gel facial wash that is water-based. Cleansing gels that are alcohol-based can be too drying. Water-based formulas remove oil but still deliver a small amount of moisture that won’t clog pores.

Oily skin – Cleansing mud face washes are great for oily skin. Loaded with natural ingredients like charcoal or clay, the thick mixture helps empty pores and soak up excess oil. Many of these washes lather into foam and counteract sebum caused by hormone fluctuations.

Dry skin – Creams and balms are the best wash consistency for dry skin types. These use oils to remove dirt without removing your skin’s natural moisture. Rich cleansers help replace whatever moisture your skin is missing.

Keeping our pores clean of oil and dirt is essential to clear skin. Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at (865)690-9467 to schedule an appointment if you have any questions about dermatology.

How to Prevent Dry Hands

Dermatology

Dry, cracked hands are normally a symptom of cold weather, so it can be alarming when hands feel particularly rough in the warmer season. There are many other causes of dry hands that can be easily prevented.

Harsh soaps such as dish soap can cause roughness and cracking. Soaps with synthetic fragrances, preservatives and sulfates are red flags. Look for words such as “mild” or “moisturizing” ingredients to keep your hands soft. Another good practice is rinsing the soap from your hands for 20 seconds with warm water.

Cleaning products can also dry skin, whether it’s a dust wipe or window spray. It’s important to wear gloves while cleaning around the house to provide a protective layer from the chemical ingredients. Be sure to apply moisturizing lotion to your hands after wearing gloves, too, because some glove materials can also dry skin.

The key to keeping hands soft and silky is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Applying lotion is a good nightly practice. Hand lotion helps to lock in moisture. A key ingredient to look for in lotions is petroleum jelly. If you have questions about dry or cracked skin, schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group by calling (865)690-9467.

What Skin Type Are You?

There are three basic skin types: oily, normal/combination and dry skin. It’s important to understand your skin type so you’re able to determine the most healthy products to use, especially on your face.

The easiest and simplest way to estimate your skin type is by using a blotting sheet. Pat a blotting sheet on different areas of your face. When you hold the sheet up to the light, you’ll be able to tell how much oil your face is producing. If the sheet has a significant amount of oil, you likely have oily skin. If oil is only moderately picked up around the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), you likely have normal/combination skin. If the sheet has little to no oil, you likely have dry skin.

Oily: Oily skin is just that – skin with excess oil. Pores are at risk of becoming congested due to too much oil production. A gentle exfoliator is suggested when washing oilier skin. Avoid large beads in exfoliations as washing too roughly can cause tiny tears. Anti-bacterial exfoliants can also help clear acne quickly.

Normal/Combination: People with normal/combination skin type tend to have a moisturized T-zone but can also experience occasional dryness of the cheeks. Gentle exfoliation is key to keeping the face evenly balanced.

Dry: Dry skin can be caused by genetics, climate, hormonal changes and diet. People with dry skin often experience a feeling of tightness on their face and sometimes flaking. Gentle exfoliations without abrasives are suggested to help moisturize dry skin. Key ingredients to look for are sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, algae and camellia oil.

Of course, using a blotting sheet is not a proven medical practice to define what skin type you are. If concerned about your skin, contact a dermatologist by calling our office at 865-690-9467 or visiting our website.