Regardless of what kind of skin you have, it can also be sensitive or prone to acne breakouts, though those with normal skin are less likely to experience either.
Causes of acne
Acne is caused by a combination of hormones, oil, and bacteria. When oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria clog the follicles, sebum can't escape the pores. This leads to acne. Each pore of your skin is also the opening to a hair follicle, which is made of a hair and sebaceous, or oil, gland.
If you get frequent breakouts (or ones that just never seem to go away), you likely have acne-prone skin. This means that your pores tend to clog easily, making you more susceptible to whiteheads, blackheads or pustules than other skin types. You can have oily or dry skin and be prone to acne.
Normal Skin Type
Not too dry and not too oily, normal skin has: No or few imperfections. No severe sensitivity. Barely visible pores.
"If you notice big, cystic bumps every so often, you can be considered acne prone," says Katie Rodan, M.D., dermatologist and Proactiv co-founder. Another giveaway that you are acne prone is if you've got an oily scalp or dandruff, she says.
If your skin feels tight, your skin is likely dry. If there is noticeable shine on your nose and forehead, your skin is mostly likely combination. If there is shine on your cheeks in addition to your forehead and nose, you most likely have oily skin.
Healthy skin looks and feels smooth. If you look at healthy skin up close, the surface appears to be regularly irregular. This means that the skin is not completely smooth like glass, but has tiny peaks around hair follicles and pores, and tiny valleys in between the peaks.
Think of your skin-care routine as consisting of three main steps: Cleansing — Washing your face. Toning — Balancing the skin. Moisturizing — Hydrating and softening the skin.
The scientific term for well-balanced skin is eudermic. The T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) may be a bit oily, but overall sebum and moisture is balanced and the skin is neither too oily nor too dry. A velvety, soft and smooth texture is a sign for a healthy and radiant skin.
The four most common skin types are normal, dry, oily, and combination: Normal.
Why should you moisturize active acne? You should absolutely moisturize your skin even if you have active acne. It's an absolute myth that moisturizing your face will worsen your acne. In fact, moisturizers are necessary to keep acne-prone skin as relaxed as possible.
Washing your face throughout the day can irritate your skin and cause acne breakouts.
Even normal skin requires proper care to maintain its healthy glow. You get to focus your energy on maintaining the happy, healthy-looking complexion that you already have. For example, a spa facial is still a great way to prevent potential skin concerns and enhance your glowing complexion.
Very few people have "normal" skin and can get away without using moisturizer. If you're regularly washing your face — even just with water — you should be moisturizing too. If you have oily skin, skipping moisturizer won't prevent acne and will lead to premature signs of aging.
Absolutely. While having a skincare routine may seem like just a cosmetic necessity, a skincare routine is not just to help you look good, it's essential for your skin's health. Think about it. Your skin is the largest organ in your body.
A new study by Missouri School of Journalism researcher Cynthia Frisby found that people perceive a light brown skin tone to be more physically attractive than a pale or dark skin tone.
All healthy skin has some shine and natural glow, except for dry skin, which has little not not shine. That natural glow and shine means that sebum production is normal. A natural shine or sheen is a good sign.
Given the increase in oil production, she says your skin will usually look greasier and slightly more inflamed. Zeichner adds that stress acne can also look like a combination of blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps, and pus pimples.
Acne falls into the "mild" category if you have fewer than 20 whiteheads or blackheads, fewer than 15 inflamed bumps, or fewer than 30 total lesions. Mild acne is usually treated with over-the-counter topical medicine. It may take up to eight weeks to see a significant improvement.
The active stage is when signs or acne are present by the visible bumps that have fluid or do not. These commonly form on the forehead, chin, cheeks, and back. The bumps can become inflamed, red, and painful. Inflammatory acne is the most severe form, often causing scars as it heals.