UNDERSTANDING YOUR SKIN TYPE - SIGNS, TRIGGERS & WHICH PRODUCTS TO CHOOSE

The world of skincare can be intimidating for a newbie. Where do I start? What products do I need for my skin? How do I know what skin type I have and what ingredients would work best? Here’s a run down of common skin types, triggers and recommended products to make the process easier for you. So, grab your mirror, get familiar with your skin, and get learning…

THE BASICS

First, you need a basic understanding of the skin and how it works. The skin is an incredibly important organ, working to perform countless complex functions from keeping bacteria out of the body, to regulating body temperature. The microbiome layer helps the skin to keep external irritants out that could upset your delicate skin. The term microbiome describes the millions of microbes that live on our skin, exchanging chemical signals with the body's cells and helping it to function just as it should. The skin requires a careful balance of good bacteria to be able repair and maintain itself. So, when one type of bacteria is found lacking or another type becomes more abundant, this throws the system out of balance, which can lead to a wide range of common skin complaints.

OILY SKIN

An oily skin type is caused by the production of excess oil and sebum. This can make the skin appear greasy and shiny, especially across more porous areas such as the nose and forehead. Sufferers may be more prone to experiencing blemishes, blackheads and enlarged pores than other skin types. Oily skin can be determined by factors like genetics, diet and hormone levels. Despite what you might assume, having oily skin doesn’t mean that you don’t need to give your skin any additional moisture. Our Intensive Rescue Face Lotion is lightweight, non-greasy and provides your skin with the extra hydration it needs, without clogging pores or triggering breakouts. The naturally-active formula contains anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that could even help to calm-down upcoming blemishes. 

DRY SKIN

Dry skin tends to produce less natural oil, resulting in the appearance of dull, rough or flaky skin. It can also become irritated, inflamed and itchy, especially if you are experiencing a dry skin condition like eczema or psoriasis. The urge to itch causes us to scratch our skin, which can damage the microbiome layer and leave the skin susceptible to more external irritants. This then leads to irritation that promotes even more itching and scratching. We call this the itch-scratch cycle. Introduce nourishing and hydrating products into your daily skincare routine, like our Intensive Rescue Spray. Calming Oat Extracts, soothing Aloe Vera and repairing Sunflower Seed Oil make this miracle spray like a chill-pill for your skin, easing the itch and nourishing deeply for up to 72 hours.

SENSITIVE & REACTIVE SKIN

A sensitive skin type can present itself as red, irritated, burning or inflamed skin. Sometimes this can even be combined with other skin types, for example experiencing both sensitivity and oiliness. Sensitive skin can occur when the microbiome layer is weakened, and external irritants like soaps, perfumes and weather can cause the skin to become aggravated. The whole Sorted Skin Range is suitable for sensitive skin, formulated with kind-to-skin, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. If redness is a real bug-bear, our 5 in 1 Anti-Redness Day Cream SPF50 is an effortless solution to banish your red skin. With green microcapsule technology, instantly neutralise red tones, while naturally-active ingredients work to target the root causes of redness in your skin.

COMBINATION & NORMAL SKIN

You might find that your skin is a combination of a bit of everything, or that you don’t have any noticeable issues in particular. It’s not always as straightforward as selecting one skin type - your skin can change and fluctuate depending on your routine, diet, the seasons, and so on. If your skin is combination, then you might want to tailor your skincare routine to suit each area or issue. If you find that you have fairly balanced skin, then you’re not dry, oily or sensitive, but you still need to care for your skin daily to keep it in good condition. Use skincare with prebiotic ingredients to help support the skin’s microbiome, maintaining balanced, healthy and happy skin for the long-term. The Sorted Skin Range is packed with natural, prebiotic ingredients that will help your skin do what it does best, taking care of you!

Now, all that’s left to do is get to know your skin. Pay close attention to how it changes throughout the day, how it reacts with certain products, and how it feels. Greasy, tight, itchy or sore? These are all tell tale signs of your skin type. Determining yours can help you to pinpoint the best products for your skin to keep it looking happy, everyday!