How to care for the normal skin

Women often ask us how they can tell if they have normal skin because they are confused as to what having normal skin means. It's easy to understand their confusion because normal skin as it is often defined doesn't really exist.

Many people, when they hear "normal" skin type, envision someone with flawless, perfect skin. From that perspective, it would mean your skin is neither too oily nor too dry and is naturally moisturized with minimal to no signs of dryness, has a smooth surface and no blemishes, blackheads, or visible pores, and has an even skin tone with no wrinkles or visible sun damage.

The problem with this description of normal skin is that it just doesn't exist in the real world. It is the rare adult who can claim to have that kind of skin. To accurately identify normal skin you need to understand what truly normal skin is. Once you understand what normal means, The Paula's Choice Research Team can help you find the best products possible to take care of your specific skin-care needs.

You might feel blessed to have the normal skin type, but do not make the mistake that many women do, thinking that since your skin is normal, you do not need to care for it. What kind of care does your normal skin need? Read on to find out.

What's Normal for Normal Skin?

Because truly normal skin (meaning perfect skin) is the exception rather than the rule, what most women are really dealing with is "normal skin plus"; that is, normal skin mixed with other issues that are unrelated to skin type, such as wrinkles, sun damage, and brown spots. Essentially, your skin may feel normal, but it isn't perfect, and over time it is changing. These distinctions are why so many women are confused about their skin type.

So, while normal skin is not perfect, it also isn't oily or dry or blemish prone, although it can be from time to time. It is also why you often see us refer to skin as being normal to oily, normal to combination, normal to dry, or normal with sun damage or wrinkles. In truth, many of us have what is considered a "normal plus" skin type; from a simplistic perspective, our skin is normal, but has ongoing or occasional issues that keep it from being "perfectly normal."

Another factor you must consider when thinking about skin type is how the skin-care products you use can negatively affect or even create your skin type, causing problems you otherwise would not have. Click here for more information. Once you know that your skin type isn't being caused by using the wrong products, the next step is to understand the difference between skin type and skin concern.

Don't Confuse Skin Type with Skin Concern

Normal skin, in essence, is all about the problems you don't see on your face, so if you don't see any problems you probably do have normal skin. But even if you have normal skin that doesn't mean you don't (or won't) have skin-care concerns that you need to address with a great daily skin-care routine.

Even those with flawless skin must pay attention to preventing the problems that could occur if they aren't diligent. If you use the wrong skin-care products or if your hormone levels change, you can start having oily, combination, or dry skin and even breakouts or blackheads. Sun damage also is an ongoing issue, from the day we are born and our skin first sees daylight, so it is critical to be concerned about that for the long-term health and youthfulness of our skin.

The best approach is to treat your normal skin type with products that don't cause dryness or make skin feel greasy, don't damage collagen, and don't harm the skin's protective outer layers. Most important, you must give your skin the vital, healthy ingredients it needs to stay young, remain smooth and even, and prevent clogged pores. Think about it like your diet: Even if you have a normal weight for your height, you still need to eat a nutritious and balanced diet to keep your body young and healthy.

Now, knowing what "normal" means, you can customize your skin-care routine to address your normal skin type and your skin-care concerns by selecting appropriate products with the textures that work best for you.

Caring for Normal Skin

If you have truly normal skin, you don't need to do as much to maintain it as those who have other skin types. After all, those with dry and oily skin are looking for products to make their skin look and act more normal and here you are already blessed with such skin! But, don't take that to mean you can skip key steps or expect that your skin will always remain normal. Skin type does not remain static; it will change based on several factors, including age, climate, hormonal shifts, stress, and, most significantly, how much sun damage you accumulate over the years.

The best possible way to care for normal skin is to make sure you're using gentle, effective products whose textures work with your skin type and preferences and whose formulas are designed to keep your skin acting normally while defending against irritation and factors that lead to signs of aging. Below are some common scenarios for those with normal skin, along with some products that work to address normal skin type plus common skin concerns.

General care

If your skin is stable, scrub it once a month with an exfoliating gel or lotion. If it dries out, then use moisturizing lotions and solutions. Do not try to remove your own pimples or zits.

Massage your skin with a lotion or hydrating solution  keeping in mind the right directions for face massage. Apply a moisturizing or nourishing cream-mask which does not dry out and lie down for 20 minutes or as long as the instructions of the mask require. Rinse and apply hydrating solution. If you wipe the mask with a tissue instead of rinsing it, its remnants will act as a night cream.

Daily care

This skin type needs to be maintained on a daily basis same as the others. In the mornings, clean and refresh your face with a mild tonic lotion. Wait until it dries and apply a hydrating solution. This solution should be equally suitable for day and night use. Apply some of it around the eyes too and finish off with your usual makeup.

In the evenings remove your makeup with special makeup removal lotion or gel. Do not use soap for washing. When your face is thoroughly cleansed of all the makeup, apply your hydrating solution.

Other Tips:

*Do not use alcohol containing cosmetics.
*Do not use hard soaps.
*Pay attention to your upper skin layer and consult a dermatologist if its condition changes.