What Is Your Skin Type?

At Yin Yang Skincare we have built up a directory of skin types and skin conditions to help you identify the features that best describe your skin and its condition. This is key to developing a skincare routine that is appropriate for your skin.

Xerosis is the scientific name for dry skin. Sometimes also described as dehydrated skin. It is a common skin condition of variable severity, typically characterized by rough, scaly, and often itchy skin. Increased sensitivity and appearance of wrinkling are exacerbated by dry skin.

The uppermost layer of the epidermis becomes disrupted as a consequence of losing moisture leading to the roughness characterising the condition. It may also be caused by some clinical disorders such as atopic dermatitis.

Skincare Routine For Care of Dry Skin

The skincare routine aims to rehydrate the skin and allow it to regain its smoothness by balancing oils in the epidermis.

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with a cream that has a good balance of botanical oil – Natural Moisturiser.
  • At night use Rich Skin Food for extra protein, oil and moisture.

Yin Yang Products For Dry Skin

Poor turnover of skin cells can lead to a build-up of dead cells on the surface of the skin which together with trapped sebum and other debris, can produce changes in the surface texture of the skin. This has a negative impact on the reflection of light from the surface of the skin.

Small raised areas of milia can form, especially on the face, as a result of the impaired shedding of dead skin cells. This leads to surface disruption as dead cells and sebum combine with pollutants to form raised areas around the pores.

Skincare Routine For Care of Rough Skin

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Apply a face mask once a week.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with a cream that has a good balance of water and botanical oil.
  • At night use Rich Skin Food for repairing Zinc, oils, moisture and protein.

Yin Yang Products For Rough Skin

Dull skin, or tired skin, are both terms used to describe dry skin with a sluggish turnover of cells, which may obscure more vibrant skin tone underneath.

This condition is usually due to an accumulation of too many layers of dead cells on the surface of the skin. This will be improved with gentle exfoliation of the dead surface layer. Once the top layer of the skin is cleared, the skin will recover its colour and glow.  

Skincare Routine For Care of Dull Skin

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Apply a face mask every fortnight.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with a cream that has a good balance of water and botanical oil.
  • Use Rich Skin Food at night for extra nourishment

Yin Yang Products For Dull Skin

Oily skin is the result of moderate to high sebum flow to the skin’s surface. The flow of sebum can increase or decrease at different stages of life – especially linked to hormonal activity. Sebum is critical for good skin hydration, but high sebum flow can contribute to clogging of pores and may be associated with inflammation when the acne bacterium colonises clogged follicles.

From a purely cosmetic point of view, oily skin can develop an unattractive shiny appearance. Without effective care, oily skin can develop enlarged pores and an uneven appearance as it becomes disrupted by blackheads and pimples. The upside of oily skin is that it ages less noticeably than ‘drier’ skin types.

Skincare Routine For Care of Oily Skin

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Apply a Kaolin Face Mask perhaps once a week and for use on spots daily.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with a cream that has a higher water balance to botanical oil: pH-Amino Gold

Yin Yang Products For Care of Oily Skin

What is your skin type?

Skin pores are empty funnel-shaped structures present in all skins. These spaces can become impacted with keratinized materials – most typically dead skin cell material. This is very common on facial skin and especially around the nose, cheeks and chin areas.

Many factors may cause enlarged pores including increased sebum output level, gender (it is more common in men), genetic predisposition, aging, chronic ultra violet light exposure (sun damage), pollutants, acne, and some forms of dermatitis. Pore size in women is significantly increased during the ovulation phase. The use of cosmetics can also leave the pores clogged. Makeup attracts oils and external pollutants and prevents the skin shedding dead cells, leading to impacted pores.

Skincare Routine For Care of Enlarged Pores

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Apply a Kaolin Face Mask perhaps once a week and for use on spots daily.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with a pH-Amino Gold for light nourishing hydration.

Yin Yang Products For Care of Enlarged Pores

The term ‘blemished skin’ is used rather generally to describe anything that is perceived as a deviation from an ideal evenness of complexion. This may include moles, freckles, spots, acne, redness/erythema, papules, enlarged pores, blocked pores/whiteheads/blackheads.

Typical blemishes on facial skin include surface irregularities due to clogged pores, over production of skin cells and large open pores as a result of excessive sebum flow, and perhaps infection. The underlying physical or even clinical reasons for each type of blemish will be different and possibly specific to the blemish type.

Skincare Routine For Care of Blemished Skin

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Apply a Kaolin Face Mask perhaps once a week and for use on spots daily.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with pH-Amino Gold for normal to dry skin types and for oilier complexions.
  • Light use of Rich Skin Food for night care for post acne scars and red areas.

Yin Yang Products For Care of Blemished Skin

Combination Skin usually refers to an unevenness of sebum output flow in different regions of the skin, and so reflects regional variations in the physiology of the skin, especially on the face. It usually presents as oily skin on the forehead, nose and chin, the T and U-zones. 

There can be both oily and dry areas where care needs to be directed appropriately, to either avoid drying out already dry skin or add oil to already oily skin.

Skincare Routine For Care of Combination Skin

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Apply a Kaolin Face Mask perhaps once a week on oily regions, and for use on spots daily.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with pH-Amino Gold which is suitable for both dry and oily skins or with Natural Moisturiser on drier areas for its great oil balance and pH-Amino Gold on the T & U zones.

Yin Yang Products For Care of Combination Skin

Studies indicate that about half the population report having this condition. There may be many causes, varying considerably from one person to another including genetics, gender, age, occupation, environment, and seasonal influences.

Ethnicity may also be a significant influencing factor on skin biology including hair density on the skin, UV sensitivity, and the development of skin aging. Darker skins have shown a tendency to greater sensitivity to topical agents, fairer skins report more reactivity to wind and weather effects, while Asian skins are reported to show greater sensitivity to food ingredients.

Tingling, itching and burning are commonly used terms to describe the effects of sensitivity on the skin, and these symptoms can easily be induced by rash use of new skincare products. You should carefully note the ingredients in skincare products and body care products to ensure that they are not introducing proven irritants.

Skincare Routine For Care of Sensitive Skin

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Appy a Kaolin Face Mask for use according to skin type
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with a gentle cream – perhaps without essential oils including Yin Yang Eye Cream.

Yin Yang Products For Care of Sensitive Skin

Fine lines are natural changes in skin structure that occur with aging. This condition is often observed in the fine skin around the eyes and the mouth. This process begins even in a person’s 20’s, but the effects are not usually visible to the naked eye till much later in life.

As the production of collagen and elastin slows down, the skin begins to lose its elasticity and plumpness. The efficiency with which skin cells are made, mature and die, also starts to slow. There may also be a reduction in the fat layer, which is important in keeping the skin around the eyes smooth.

Smokers tend to see these changes occur early, especially around the mouth. However, genetics will largely control the rate of this process.

Skincare Routine For Care of Skin with Fine Lines

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with a suitable age protecting cream such as Rich Skin Food from the Replenish  Range

Yin Yang Products For Care of Skin with Fine Lines

Wrinkles are one of the most obvious signs of skin aging. The number of skin cells produced by the body has been shown to decrease by around 10% for every ten years of life after we reach maturity. More over skin cells divide more slowly as we age making the skin less able to repair itself quickly.

With the associated reduction in the quantity and quality of collagen produced and the associated weakening of the elastin fibres that provide our skin with its flexibility, the skin begins to sag and line. Sagging is exacerbated as the layer of fat cells under the skin thins with age.

Hormonal changes also mean that less sebum is produced and the skin becomes drier and more likely to break. The development of wrinkles is also often secondary to sun damage. It is known that wrinkles develop mainly on sun-exposed skin, indicating that skin can be dramatically altered by chronic sun exposure.

Skincare Routine For Care of Aging Skin

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with an age protecting cream to support healthy regeneration of skin cells & supporting tissues.

Yin Yang Products For Care of Aging Skin

Dark Circles Under Eyes

The skin around the eyelids (periorbital skin) is the thinnest skin in the body at some 0.5 mm thick compared with 2 mm in other areas. Aging skin change is often first seen in the area around the eyes (periorbital area) and includes not only wrinkles, but also eyelid bags, dark circles around the eye, changes in muscle tone etc. 

Like so many conditions, the tendency to dark areas under the eyes is often a genetic trait. Large veins close to the surface of this very thin skin reflect a bluish colour from the de-oxygenated blood just beneath the skin’s surface. But other factors also play an influence. Iron deficiency can result in a lack of oxygen reaching the tissue, a lack of sleep can impact blood flow, and also aging accentuates the condition.

Puffy Skin

Puffy skin is typically a description for periorbital edema in the delicate skin around the eyes. This is usually more evident as a person ages as the skin around the eyes becomes thinner and may swell or sag. This skin contains many tiny superficial vessels which can become more evident on the surface and relatively few oil-producing glands to smooth the surface area. Increased fat deposition in this skin can exacerbate the impression of these ‘bags’ under the eyes.

Skincare Routine For Care of Periorbital Skin

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Carefully moisturise the skin around the eyes.

Yin Yang Products For Care of Periorbital Skin

Chapped Skin

Chapped skin usually refers to very small lacerations or breaks in the skin barrier. However these usually do not break the skin to the level of the dermis (where the blood vessels are located). Skin chapping can occur when skin becomes dry, especially during cold/windy weather, or when skin oils are depleted and the barrier function of the skin is compromised.

Cracked Skin

Cracked skin is a more severe development of chapped skin: deeper interruptions of the skin form into fissures or cracks and these can compromise the dermis and include access to blood vessels. This indicates a more marked disruption of skin barrier function, and is usually associated with severely dry skin.

Skincare Routine For Care of Chapped & Cracked Skin

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with p H-Amino Gold or Rich Skin Food.

Yin Yang Products For Care of Chapped & Cracked Skin

Telangiectasia is the scientific term for the formation of spider veins (dilated superficial blood vessels) commonly seen on the cheeks as people get older. This can be more obvious in pale skins or in the skin of people suffering from significant photo-aging.  

Skincare Routine For Skin With Dilated Capillaries

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise daily with a nourishing repairing cream such as Rich Skin Food or Skin Renew for more mature skins.

Yin Yang Products For Skin With Dilated Capillaries

Whatever the severity of acne, it is a condition which frequently requires medical care. However there is still much that people with acne can do in terms of skin hygiene and skin care that will make the skin more comfortable and give it a better appearance.

Skincare

  • Clean the skin gently in order to prepare it for various treatments.
  • Re-establish a more normal and comfortable skin surface where it has been disturbed by acne treatments.
  • Permit the application of make-up when necessary.
  • Permit modest sun exposure.

The principal of skin cleaning for acne prone skin is to gently remove surface grime, dead skin cells and excess oils without either irritating or drying the skin. It is important that cleansing is gentle as many clinical acne treatments are frequently accompanied by irritating effects. Aggressive cleansing can also often aggravate acne. Typically people who either have acne or a tendency for acne have higher levels of skin surface oil (sebum) than people who do not have the condition. Sebum production cannot be reduced with any topical treatment, however surface oil is a prime concern to people with acne and removal of excess surface oil reduces the likelihood of “skin shine” either with or without make-up.

Cleansing Products

These include soaps, dermatological bars or cakes, liquid soaps in the form of antiseptic foaming solutions, antibacterial washes, cosmetic liquid soaps or gels, emulsions and rinsing products.

Soaps

Soaps are generally alkaline, mixing with water they liberate the free base from which they are formed and increase the skin surface pH which is normally between 5 and 6. The main bacterium associated with acne flourishes within in an alkaline environment. While the skin will return to a more normal pH value in approximately half an hour after using soap, it is preferable to avoid creating a positive environment for this pathogen.

People with acne should avoid strong soaps that may promote excess drying of the skin as well as producing a favourable pH environment for acne. Super-fatted soaps are preferable. These are usually rich in lanolin, to which many skins can have an allergic reaction, or sweet almond oil which is sometimes recommended by dermatologists for use on distressed skin.  These soaps may be used by people with acne who may have thickened, treatment resistant skin which is also very oily.

Dermatological Cakes or Bars

These products resemble soaps but are chemically different. They contain surface active ingredients, usually detergents, which have a variety of chemical modifications permitting easy and agreeable use. They frequently have pH value close to that of normal skin and are therefore better tolerated than soaps. Some dermatological bars contain active anti-acne ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide, zinc sulphate and vitamin B6.

Antibacterial Washes

A large number of washes for acne prone skin incorporate antibacterial agents, most of them have activity against surface bacteria but they do not penetrate the follicles which is where p.acnes flourishes. These washes may prevent secondary infection in acne prone skin, but they have no real benefit on acne lesions.

More recently a group of washes containing benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient has emerged. Benzoyl peroxide is a potent oxidizing agent which is bactericidal for p.acnes when applied and left on the skin as a typical application can penetrate the follicles sufficiently to reduce the population of this bacterium. While washes containing benzoyl peroxide do not achieve the same results as topically applied benzoyl peroxide, they tend to be less irritating and less drying.

Skin Cleansers

Skin Cleansers are one of the most traditional of cosmetic products which are used as part of the daily skincare routine and, or to remove makeup. They are formulated with oils and water to form an emulsification. In the case of Yin Yang Skin Cleanser, the formulation uses only plant oils with pure spring water as the base for the cleansing cream. This simple but thorough cleanser will leave the skin absolutely clean and the pH value of the skin will be undisturbed.

Toners & Rinses

These can be tap water or astringent lotions.  Even when hard, tap water is well tolerated by oily skin, but Yin Yang would advise against unnecessarily raising the pH value of the skin as this is unhelpful to the healthy bacteria that are normally resident on human skin, but conversely much enjoyed by the acne bacterium. Yin Yang Orange Flower Tonic is an ideal product for after cleansing hydration and toning: with a pH balanced to around 5.0, this gentle hydrating mist can be used to finish the cleansing process or simply to add moisture to the skin – especially if dry and tight as a consequence of using acne treatments.

People with acne should avoid all toners or rinsing products that contain alcohol as these can be irritating to acne prone skin. Other better tolerated astringents include witch hazel or extracts of cucumber, sage, comfrey and lemon. Some of these contain camphor or allantoin, thought to have anti-inflammatory as well as astringent properties.

Many cleansers, toners and astringents now contain alphahydroxy acids, usually glycolic acid, (Yin Yang products do not contain these ingredients). These are used for exfoliating activity, but excessive exfoliation can disrupt the skin surface and lead to secondary infection. Shaving may be problematic in men. In general, men with acne are advised not to shave too closely and not every day unless absolutely necessary. This is particularly important in people with multiple inflammatory lesions. There are a variety of shaving foams and creams with antiseptic ingredients, including benzoyl peroxide.

Moisturisers

People on acne medications may experience considerable skin dryness; in these circumstances a moisturizer that does not exacerbate acne will make the skin feel more comfortable and it will also improve the appearance of the skin. In general moisturizers can be applied over the top of medications without ill effect. Light botanical oils are preferable to mineral oils or animal oils and moisturizers with a low oil to water ratio are to be preferred. Silicone derivatives are useful in moisturizers for acne skin because they are do not encourage acne, they are hypoallergenic and non greasy.

Acne sufferers who may not have needed a facial moisturizer prior to using acne medications, may benefit from such a product in the lower sebum producing areas of the face such as the sides of the cheeks and along the jaw line.

It is important to note that environmental conditions may also influence the oiliness or dryness of skin. For people with acne and oily skin it may not be appropriate to use a moisturizer in humid conditions.

Use of Cosmetics on Skin With Acne

Heavy older style makeup was often implicated in the development or increased severity of acne. More recently the cosmetic industry has paid much closer attention to the potential of products to worsen the condition of acne prone skins and a wide range of make-ups have been specifically designed for acne sufferers. These are usually labeled “non comedogenic” or “non acnegenic”

In general make up specifically designed for oily skin is recommended. These are usually oil and water emulsions which contain oil absorbing substances such as kaolin, talc or micronised polymide powders. There are also acne treatment creams that are tinted (yellow) to provide cover for red lesions which some acne sufferers find helpful. All make-up bases may be modified by a light application of face powder with a brush.

Facial Foundations

People using acne medications may find it more difficult to achieve an even covering of foundation after beginning treatment. Foundations containing silicone derivatives will allow the pigment to glide evenly over the skin to smooth scale induced by medications. A small amount of silicone oil within a foundation will also aid in preventing the foundation from changing colour during the day. Facial foundations can be used to camouflage complexion irregularities.

Lip Cosmetics

Lip cosmetics are beneficial in people treated with oral isotretinoin to prevent and soothe cheilitis (lip cracking). Most patients with acne however, may wish to avoid moisturizing lipsticks, lip creams and lip glosses. These products often contain a high concentration of petrolatum, which can cause pimples. Dull or matt finish lipsticks can generally be used without difficulty.

Eye Cosmetics

In general dull or matt finished powdered eye shadows should be selected by the people with acne. Eye shadows with a frosted, pearlescent or glittery appearance, may contain irritating particulate matter such as fish scale essence, bisthmus oxychloride, micro or ground metal particles. Powdered eye shadows are preferred because they do not contain irritating vehicles contained in liquid eye shadows or the oily substance found in cream eye shadows.

Hair Cosmetics

Although topical acne medications are not applied to the scalp, irritation on the hairline is common and can create problems amongst people using volatile hair grooming products or who use hair dyeing or permanent waving. Inevitably a small amount of the hairspray, mousse, dye or waving solution contacts the skin along the hairline. This can cause burning or stinging of acne skin. Stinging and increased irritation can be avoided by exercising care when applying hair grooming aids or by covering the face with a towel. Barrier cream should be placed along the hairline beneath an absorbent cotton wick to aid decreased dye or waving solution skin contact.

Camouflaging Techniques

Several types of cosmetics are available for acne camouflaging, such as facial foundations, cover sticks, undercover products, blushers, facial stains and powders.

Facial Foundations

Any oil-free, water-based or low oil content facial foundation can be used to camouflage acne blemishes. These products generally contain titanium dioxide, talc and pigment that can mask skin reddening [erythema]. Improved coverage can be obtained if the acne lesions are first dabbed with foundation, allowed to dry thoroughly and covered with a second layer of foundation. The foundation can then be applied to the entire face if desired. If the need for camouflaging the entire face in cases of severe acne arises, pancake style foundations can be used without worsening underlying acne. Pancake foundations are wiped from a compact with a moistened sponge to form an emulsion and applied to the face. These products are somewhat difficult to apply but provide excellent long wearing coverage with excellent oil control capabilities.

Cover Sticks

Many people with acne will get post inflammatory pigmentation. Cover sticks are also available to dab over acne lesions. Some are medicated containing salicylic acid or resorcinol and also contain increased amounts of titanium dioxide for superior coverage. Most cover sticks have a high oil content that may cause pimples.

Undercover Products

Undercover products – also known as undercover primers – are designed to be worn under a facial foundation. They are available in creams and liquids, in both oil free and oil containing formulations. Undercover products based on the principle of complimentary colour blending, e.g. red acne lesions can be covered with a complimentary yellow/green undercover cream to yield brown tone.

Blushers

Blushers are pink, orange or red powders, liquids or creams applied to the upper cheeks to simulate the appearance of rosy cheeks. For the people with acne on the cheeks, blush can be used to blend the underlying redness (erythema) into a more cosmetically acceptable appearance. Powder blushes are often recommended. The use of blush can be an effective camouflage alternative for a younger people with acne who do not use foundation makeup.

Facial Stains

Facial stains can be used to camouflage acne lesions in people who do not wish to wear a facial foundation. These products are gels that contain water, alcohol, light esters and organic colours. They are available as bronzing gels in shade of brown designed to simulate a tan and there are blushing gels in shades of red designed to simulate rosy cheeks. These products impart transparent colour to the skin but provide no coverage only colour blending.

Powders

Powders composed of pigmented talc can be used for several functions including blemish coverage and oil control. They may be used alone or over a facial foundation.

Acne and Sun

The Sun is a two edged sword for most people with acne. While ultraviolet light may have a mild anti-inflammatory effect and tanning tends to hide acne lesions, ultraviolet light also may lead to development of pimples as sun exposure leads to increased thickness of the skin. It is a well known observation in clinical dermatological practice that acne sufferers tend to get worse shortly after returning from summer vacation. Sunscreen gels and oil-free lotions have been formulated over recent years for acne sufferers.

Skincare Routine For Care of Acne Skin

  • Cleanse thoroughly to remove dead skin cells & surface impurities.
  • Apply Kaolin Face Mask perhaps once a week and for use on spots daily.
  • Tone with hydrating mist to soften the skin and plump up the cells & maintain “acid mantle”.
  • Moisturise lightly with a low (botanical) oil: water ratio product like pH-Amino Gold

Yin Yang Products For Care of Acne Skin