Do you have a skincare routine that is no longer working, despite not making any changes? Or perhaps you're noticing more breakouts all of a sudden? It's not your imagination - your skin type can change over time and it happens more often than you think.
In this article we'll explore signs of a shift in skin type, the causes, and what you can do to adjust your skincare regime so that it's still effective.
Can Your Skin Type Actually Change?
The answer is yes, this may come as a shock to a few but skin type can be affected by various factors which are highlighted below:
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Climate & Seasonal Changes: Your skin can suffer from dehydration during the colder months where the air is dry and you're more inclined to turn the heating up. The opposite goes for summer months, where the hot weather can lead to or exacerbate oiliness leading to breakouts. Read our article on combating oily skin during the summer months.
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Hormonal Shifts: Many teenagers experience a shift in skin type during and after puberty, common concerns include oily skin and breakouts. Other factors include pregnancy, menopause and even your monthly cycle.
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Overuse of Skincare Products: The importance of finding a fine balance with your products is crucial. Excessive application of chemical and physical exfoliants can disrupt and damage the skin's barrier.
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Lifestyle & Aging: Smoking and drinking have profound effects on the skin. Other lifestyle factors include stress and sleep. Furthermore as we age, skin cell turnover slows down. This equals less hydration as a result of reduced sebum production.
Signs Your Skin Type has Changed
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Skincare Routine No Longer Working: Your favourite serum may no longer be effective, or a moisturiser may start to feel too heavy, too light, or cause breakouts.
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Sensitivity & Redness: If your routine has always been the same but is now causing the irritation, it could mean your skin barrier is disrupted.
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Newfound Dryness: If your skin is now persistently dry, flaky or cracked it could be a signal of a shift in skin type.
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Oiliness & Shine: Persistent oiliness and skin shine can be signs your skin type has changed.
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Acne & Breakouts: A sudden emergence of acne or breakouts in new areas can flag signs of a skin type shift.
What To Do If Your Skin Type Has Changed
Oily Skin?
If your skin is now oily you should:
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Use non-comedogenic moisturisers and serums.
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Try niacinamide to control oil production and manage breakouts.
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Use a gentle, pH balanced cleanser and do not over-cleanse as this can lead to more oil production .
Dry Skin?
If your skin is drier than before, you should:
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Use hydrating serums and moisturisers. Look out for Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid in the ingredients, both of these are extremely moisturising and restore the skin barrier.
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Use a gentle, pH balanced cleanser for dry skin.
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Stay away from regular use of chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs)
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Hydrate.
Sensitive Skin?
If you're now suffering from sensitive skin:
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Use gentle cleansers, ideally non-foaming as these strip all the necessary oils required for effective skin function.
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Limit chemical exfoliation.
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Try to incorporate products with Centenella or Azelaic Acid, both of which reduce redness and skin inflammation.
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Look for fragrance and alcohol-free products.
Combination Skin?
If you find your skin is a combination of any of the above:
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Try multi-masking: Multi-masking is the act of applying different face masks in different areas. For example a hydrating mask in dry areas, and a calming mask in areas with irritation. You can apply the same logic with your products.
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Use a gentle, pH balanced cleanser.
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Try chemical exfoliants in oily areas, and Hyaluronic Acid in dry areas.
To Sum It Up: Keep an Eye on Your Skin
Your skin is constantly evolving based on environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors. It's best practice to pay attention to your skin throughout the year, and adjust your routine to match.
Have you ever noticed a shift in skin type? Tell us your experience in the comments! :)
FAQs:
Q: Does aging cause a change in skin type?
A: Yes. As we age natural sebum/oil production is decreased. This can lead to dryness and skin tightness.
Q: Why is my skin suddenly breaking out?
A: There are multiple causes for sudden breakouts: Changes in diet or hormones, an increase in stress or a disrupted skin barrier. Don't rule out allergens either as these can also be the culprit.
Q: How often should I adjust my skincare routine?
A: If you're closely monitoring your skin over the year you should adjust your routine to match. For example, if you're suffering from excess oiliness in summer, use products such as Niacinamide to combat sebum production.