HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TYPE AND ITS NEEDS

Skincare is both an art and a science. There is beauty of course, but also chemistry and biocompatibility between products and your skin. After all, our skin is our largest organ and is 100% unique to our own DNA. At Odacité we believe you are a one-of-a-kind gem, with very specific skin needs. However, the age-old trick of determining your skin type is an important step of skincare.

Your skin type shall guide the foundation of your skin routine. Bear in mind that your skin will be affected by external factors, so stay attuned to changes, and listen to your skin so that you can adapt anytime and anywhere.

Foundational Basics

All skin, no matter how oily or dry, needs to be cleansed, hydrated and nourished. The routine is the same for all of us, but the products used will be different depending on your skin type. Behold, the skin types!

Does your skin get progressively shiny as the day wears on? Are the pores on your T-zone enlarged? You could have oily skin, which can be genetic, hormonal, stress-related or environmental and can come and go. At its core, oily skin is synonymous with the overproduction of sebum. This skin type is prone to clogged pores and acne as the excess oil clogs the pores of the skin, trapping bacteria that then causes inflammation and redness. I know, not fun. The upside to oily skin? Fewer wrinkles are in your near future.

The Oily/Acne-Prone Skin Routine

It’s important to clean and moisturize (yes moisturize) oily skin with specific ingredients. The goal is to cut through the oil when cleansing with the right purifying and detoxifying ingredients to quell that extra sebum production, yet protect the natural moisture of the skin. The secret is a deep cleanse without stripping the skin. If skin feels squeaky clean and tight, your cleanser is too aggressive—that’s the equivalent to pulling an internal sebum fire alarm.

Our Black Mint Cleanser is gentle enough not to exacerbate, yet has Activated Charcoal and purifying Mint to treat the appearance of blemishes while leaving the skin soft.

Exfoliating twice a week will help keep your pores clean and decongests.

It’s a myth that oily skin does not require a moisturizer. It may feel counterintuitive to apply moisture to an already moisturized base, but more often oily skin is both oily and dehydrated. I recommend a mix of Oleosomes Time Release Delivery Crème with 2 drops of Gr+G Oily/Acne Prone Serum Concentrate for balancing and nourishing the skin.

Grapefruit essential oil is a blessing for evening skin tone. For spot treatments, reach for Bl+C Pimples Serum Concentrate. Avoid any products that are particularly heavy. Think lightweight, nourishing, and hydrating.

How does your skin feel straight out of the shower? Is it tight? Does it flake? Dry skin is largely genetic but can also be induced by dehydration, lifestyle, and diet. Dry skin ultimately means that the skin barrier can’t protect itself as well from the environment and needs extra help. Bet you guessed this one; hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. The upside to dry skin is smaller pores, but the downside is that this skin type will show wrinkles.

Dry Skin Routine

Rule #1 is to be gentle and hydrating. Think of dry skin as a piece of parchment, you want to handle it carefully and avoiding anything acidic, alcohol-laden, or artificially fragranced that could cut through the delicate layer. Instead, opt for serums and cremes, and load up on Hyaluronic Acid.

Our creme formula, Gentle Rejuvenating Cleanser is a dry skin BFF and can be used day and night as a moisturizing wash. After cleansing, layer on hydrating ingredients like Aloe Vera and Serum Concentrates that can restore moisture levels. Our All-Embracing Serum is great for daily hydration and when in an artic dry pinch, a few drops of the Mo+P Very Dry Skin Serum Concentrate will revive chapped or severely dry skin.

Moisturize with emollient and film-forming agents such as Beautiful Day Moisturizer and be sure to incorporate a high concentration of antioxidants for more mature skin that is encountering fine lines. For extra support, apply the Deep Hydration Masque, once a week, or as a super hydrating night cream.

Does your skin feel oily, yet dry? Combination skin types generally have dry cheeks, with an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin.) This skin type requires more dexterity in treatment and the opposing skin areas need to be thought more so as a spot treatment.

Cleanse with a gel or lotion-based cleanser. Like with oily skin you will

want to cleanse, but not strip the skin. Pe+C Combination Skin Serum Concentrate is your ally for quickly penetrating light and balanced for a more even-looking complexion. Throughout the day, spritz Rose + Neroli Hydra-Vitalizing Treatment Mist for an extra boost.

Congratulations! You won the skincare lotto. If your skin is generally “fine, thanks!” then this is you. Also known as resilient skin type, most products work and very little throws your skin off course. Neither oily nor dry, normal skin is easy to maintain.

Keep a routine of twice-daily gentle cleansing, followed by a simple, balanced moisturizer. Despite being resilient, pay attention when incorporating any new products (as you have the cornucopia of products available to try) and ensure that nothing adversely affects or causes breakouts. But fear not, your skin will typically heal and recover quickly. Jackpot.

Does your skin flare up in redness? All of the vices —caffeine, spicy food, hot beverages, alcohol, sun, and stress—can aggravate sensitive skin. Redness, tingling, or burning sensations can appear with product application, change of temperature, or fragrance. This skin type is reactive and will quickly tell you how it feels.

People on the sensitive skin spectrum should focus on incorporating soothing ingredients into their routine. Follow the same routine of cleanse and nourish, but keep things very neutral. No swift moves here. All products should be fragrance-free and very simple. Sensitive skin will do well with the Gentle Rejuvenating Cleanser and All-Embracing Serum, A good skin cocktail is Beautiful Day Moisturizer mix with 1-2 drops of Ca + C Sensitive Skin Serum Concentrate.

No matter your skin type, make your routine a morning and evening celebration of your skin, honoring it through its different shapes and ages.

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