Skin Type vs Skin Concern: What's The Difference?

Yes, there is a difference between the two notions and it's important to understand it before investing your time and money on products.

Your skin type refers to the skin you were born with and has everything to do with the genes package you inherited from your parents. In other words, if you won at this lottery there's nothing you can do about it!

There are commonly 4 skin types clubs you can be a part of:

• Oily
• Dry
• Combination
• Normal

The Oily Club¶

Welcome to my club! Oily skin members like myself, are usually prone to excessive sebum production, making their skin appear shiny. Add dead skin cells to an excessive oil production and you get the perfect cocktail for blocked pores, leading to blackheads or pimples. On the positive side though, oily skins tend to show signs of aging at a slower rate than other skin types. I'm not gonna lie, I've been and still am holding to that thought on days I shine like a disco ball in the sun.

The Dry Club¶

As you would have guessed, people with dry skin are the exact opposite of the oily skin club. They lack sufficient sebum production, making them prone to tightness, flakiness, and irritation. Without enough natural oils, the skin struggles to retain moisture, leading to a rough or dull texture. It may feel sensitive, especially in colder months or after cleansing. Fine lines can also appear more visible due to dehydration.

The Combination Club¶

Your skin can't seem to make a decision between oily and dry? You probably have a combination skin type. People with combination skin feature both oily and dry areas, requiring a balanced approach to skincare. The T-zone—forehead, nose, and chin—tends to produce excess oil, leading to shine or breakouts, while the cheeks may feel dry or tight.

The Normal Club¶

Normal skin is well-balanced, neither too oily nor too dry, with a smooth texture and minimal imperfections. In other words this is the lucky club. It has good moisture levels, small pores, and a healthy glow. Though normal skin is low-maintenance, seasonal changes or lifestyle factors can still affect its balance, requiring slight adjustments in care.

Like you your skin type can evolve and you may see some traits of her personality change over time. For example, as we age our skin produces less oil, meaning that you may transition from an oily to a dry skin. Some women are also more prone to skin changes during their menstrual cycles.

However, skin condition refers to a specific issue affecting your skin’s appearance or health. It can be caused by genetics, environmental factors, or lifestyle habits. Common skin conditions include for example:

• Acne
• Signs of aging
• Dehydration
• Ichthyosis
• Pigmentation
• Eczema
• Keratosis Pilaris aka chicken skin
• Rosacea
• Psoriasis

You can have more than one skin condition. For example, I am prone to acne and pigmentation. Although I’m yet to see the first wrinkles appear on my face, I am in my early 30s and using actives that will support my skin aging like vitamin C to stimulate collagen production to name just one.

You can also combine multiple actives to support your different skin conditions as well as your skin type. That’s why understanding the difference between the two notions is crucial. Once you have it, you can start looking for actives that will help improve your skin’s health and appearance.

In conclusion, your skin type is what it is, whereas your skin condition can occur for other reasons than genetics. Keep in mind that the skin types mentioned here are classified by the skin care industry. They’re not medical terms. Brands promised results of one given product will not always agree with your skin and can vary from one person to the other.