Skin types
Skin types are determined by intrinsic (internal) factors such as genetics. Unlike skin conditions, skin types are not able to be changed by extrinsic (external) factors such as skincare products, diet and environmental factors.
Your skin type over time
Your skin type may change gradually during different phases of your life, such as childhood, puberty and menopause. If you have last assessed your skin type some years ago, you should re-assess, as your skin type may have changed. This is important, to ensure that your skincare routine matches your current skin type, not a skin type you may have had in the past.
For example, many people may first have taken a keen interest in their skin type when they started to break out during puberty, at the age of around 14. At that time, they were probably told they had an oily skin type. From age 17 onward, hormonal imbalances tend to settle down and the skin type may have become more normal or may have changed to a combination type. During the 40s the skin type tends to start to become drier, as oil flow diminishes. Thus, the same skincare routine may no longer be applicable. Imagine using the same skincare products for oily skin, on your 40+ year old skin. Or vice versa.
Everyone is different of course. But generally skin tends to change from more oily to more dry over one’s lifetime.
The griffin+row range contains two moisturisers, Nourish and Enrich. They are slightly different in that Nourish is targeted at more oily skin, whereas Enrich is more suitable for drier skin. We generally recommend to use Nourish as a day moisturiser and Enrich as a night cream, but you may consider using more of the one or the other, depending on your skin type.
The four skin types
Normal skin type
There are 4 main skin types: normal, oily, dry and combination.
Ideal skin, which is neither too oily nor too dry.
In skin science, the term “normal skin” refers to a benchmark against which other skin types are measured. It means skin that is slightly soft, acidic and free from blemishes and disease. Youth will often have a normal skin type, but in adults, a normal skin type is very rare.
Skin physiology:
- Epidermal cells shed at a normal rate.
- An adequate amount of sebum is secreted to provide protection, hydration and lubrication.
- The pH balance is in the correct range between around 4.5 and 6, which is in the slightly acidic range.
- Collagen and elastin provide a firm and supportive foundation.
Recommended griffin+row skincare routine for normal skin types:
Cleanse 2x day, Exfoliate 2x week, Hydrate 2x day, Nourish 1x day, Enrich 1x night.
Individuals may wish to use Enrich morning and night during the winter months when more moisture is lost to the drier air, heating and air conditioning.
Oily skin type
Skin which is over-producing sebum.
Oily skin is created by the over-activity of the sebaceous gland below the surface of the skin, which causes excessive sebum production.
Skin physiology
- Hormones cause sebaceous glands to enlarge and overproduce sebum.
- Overproduction of sebum creates a shiny appearance of the skin.
- Pores become enlarged and visible, or they might clog with sebum and dead skin cells forming a comedone (blockage). Comedones may become pimples.
- Epidermal cells don’t shed as well, because they stick together. Extra exfoliation is recommended.
- Oilier skin tends to be more acidic, with a pH closer 4.5.
Recommended griffin+row skincare routine for oily skin types:
Cleanse 2x day, Exfoliate 2x week, Hydrate 2x day, Nourish 2x day
Cleansing and exfoliating are of paramount importance when caring for an oily skin type. If you strip too much oil, you strip the skin’s natural defence and barrier function. If you don’t remove the excess oil, the skin remains shiny and clogged. Griffin+row cleanse is a pH-balanced cleanser that gently removes excess oil whilst maintaining the integrity of the acid mantle.
griffin+row Nourish contains a high concentration of aloe vera leaf juice and jojoba oil, which are ideal ingredients for use on oily skin types. Jojoba is a natural regulator of sebaceous secretions, and aloe vera leaf juice is calming and soothing for acne breakouts.
Citrus oils, such as pink grapefruit, sweet orange and bergamot essential oils, as well as lavender and fragonia essential oils found in Nourish are naturally antibacterial and astringent.
Dry skin type
Skin that lacks oil.
Dry skin is caused by a lack of activity of the sebaceous gland below the surface of the skin, which causes a lack of sebum production. Dry skin is prone to becoming dehydrated and sensitive because of the lack of oil providing lubrication and protection.
Skin physiology:
- The uppermost layer of the skin tends to become thin and flaky due to lack of oil flow. As a result, skin may feel tight and uncomfortable.
- Dry skin tends to be more alkaline than it should be, more towards 6 on the pH scale.
- Because of the skin’s lack of acidity, cells in the stratum corneum don’t detach from each other very well, and don’t shed in a timely manner. As a result, the skin surface may feel rough.
- The lack of oil creates a compromised barrier function and skin is prone to irritation and sensitivity.
- Moisture is more easily lost from the skin, as natural lubrication is lacking.
Recommended griffin+row skincare routine for dry skin types:
Cleanse 2 x day, Exfoliate 2x week, Hydrate 2x day, Enrich 2x day
Exfoliate removes the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, which prevent absorption of your moisturiser.
Hydrate pre-moisturisers the dry skin to optimally absorb your moisturiser. It also replenishes natural moisturising factors (NMFs) in your skin, helping the skin lock in the beneficial ingredients of your moisturiser.
griffin+row Enrich contains a high concentration of macadamia, sweet almond and soybean oils, which are ideal ingredients for use on dry skin types as they lubricate dry skin and replenish the skin’s natural oils. Macadamia nut oil is rich in essential fatty acids, which are vital for healthy cell membranes. Sweet almond oil has a light texture, allowing it to penetrate and replenish deeply. Soybean oil contains omega 6 and vitamins B, E and K, essential to support the the skin’s barrier function and delay the signs of environmental ageing. Rose essential oil is another ingredient in Enrich that is profoundly hydrating.
Combination skin
Skin that is characterised by more than one skin type.
Most people have combination skin. Usually, skin that produces more oil is found in the T-zone, around the nose, chin. Less oil is usually produced in the outer cheeks, neck and decolletage areas.
Possible combinations:
- An oily combination skin type is oily all over, with excessively oily t-zone
- A normal combination skin type has normal oil flow all over with slightly oilier t-zone.
- A dry combination skin type has no oil on the cheeks, with oil found on the t-zone.
Recommended griffin+row skincare routine for combination skin types:
Whether people are aware of it or not, most people in fact have combination skin types. Usually, this is either an oily combination or a dry combination. What this means is that the skin is leaning more towards either side of the scale.
As we have discussed before, oil flow tends to decrease over one’s lifespan. In women, combination skin is most often seen between the age of around 20 and 40. After 40, skin flow starts to decrease gradually, then the skin tends to get really dry after menopause, at around 50 years of age. Men’s skin tends to stay more oily throughout the entire life. Weather also impacts on the way skin feels and responds to skincare. Oil gets thicker and oil flow slows down in cooler weather. Conversely, the viscosity of oil is higher in summer and oil flow is increased due to increased blood circulation in the skin.
The great thing about the griffin+row range is that it contains ingredients targeting both oily and dry skin, plus you can use the griffin+row range à la carte, according to your skin’s needs:
- Cleansing – Cleanse is pH balanced. Whether you are inclined to be more oily (acidic) or dry (alkaline), by the time you finish cleansing with griffin+row Cleanse, your skin has the ideal pH balance.
- Exfoliating – Oilier skin needs more regular exfoliation. Use the griffin+row cloth to target oilier areas, such as the t-zone.
- Hydrate pre-hydrates the skin and prepares it to better receive the beneficial ingredients of the moisturiser. This is especially important for dry skin, but it will help to get your moisturiser absorbed better no matter your skin type.
- Moisturisation – griffin+row has two moisturisers in the range. Nourish is targeted at normal to oily skin, while Enrich is best for dry combination skin. We generally recommend that you use Nourish in the morning and Enrich as a night cream. However, this can be adjusted according to your skin’s individual needs, and you may consider using more of one or the other as the seasons change, or over the years.