Finding your skin type is the key to developing an effective skincare programme.

Knowing a little about the structure of your skin will help you appreciate why certain things are good for it and others are not. Understand your skin and you are halfway to a flowing, healthy complexion.

The skin is formed from three main layers: the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis.

The epidermis is the outermost layer and is a microscopic 0.2 mm (8/1000 in) thick on the face. The surface consists of dead cells which are in the process of flaking away and new ones which are growing to take their place. Between the epidermis and dermis lies the basal layer, where new epidermal cells are formed and progress to the surface. It takes approximately twenty-eight days for a new cell to reach the top.

The dermis is usually 1.8 mm (7/100 in) thick. It is composed of a fibrous protein called collagen, elastin, which makes the skin supple, and a network of blood vessels, nerves, oil and sweat glands. pores and hair follicles.

The hypodermis is the tissue beneath both the epidermis and the dermis. It contains muscles, veins and fat cells and its thickness varies according to the part of the body. The sebum and sweat produced by the oil and sweat glands in the dermis form a hydro-lipidic film on the skin.

This film, known as the ‘acid mantle’, lubricates the skin’s surface, helps to repel bacteria and protects against irritation. The acid mantle maintains the skin’s slightly acid pH level. It takes one to two hours for the skin to return to its normal pH level after washing. Harsh cleansers, such as soaps, reduce the renewal process.

It is the activity of the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands that determine your skin type. Activity in the T-zone (across the forehead and down the nose and chin) may be greater than elsewhere.

There are four main skin types: dry, normal, oily and combination, although ‘normal’ skin often tends towards oily or dry.

Within these four different groups there are skins that require special attention, such as sensitive or black skins.

IDENTIFY YOUR SKIN TYPE
By answering the questions below you can find out what type of skin you have. Just tick the answer - a, b, c or d - that most closely applies to your skin.

1 After cleansing, how does your skin feel?
a Tight and rough.
b Smooth and supple.
c Slightly oily.
d Oily in some areas, tight in others.

2 How often does your skin break out in spots?
a Almost never.
b Rarely.
c Often.
d Only in the T-zone.

3 Which of the following best describes your skin texture?
a Smooth and transparent.
b Firm and even.
c Slightly rough and uneven.
d A mixture of the above.

4 How does your skin look during the day?
a Flaky and chapped.
b Clean and fresh-looking.
c Shiny.
d Shiny in the T-zone.

Now, add up how many as, b’s, c’s and d’s you scored.
If the majority of your answers are a’s, your skin is dry.
If the majority of your answers are b’s, your skin is normal.
If the majority of your answers are c’s, your skin is oily.
If the majority of your answers are d’s, your skin is combination.