Test Your Knowledge

The face is the front part of the human head. It encompasses the area from the forehead to the chin, and from ear to ear. Since the skin on the face is especially noticeable, people can provide the area with routine care to keep the skin healthy and looking its best.  

There are a variety of skin types. People may benefit from knowing the type of skin they have because a number of facial skin products (e.g., soaps, moisturizers, cosmetics) are designed for use on particular types of skin. Skin types include:

• Dry skin. Skin becomes dry when it lacks water. Dry skin is easily irritated. People with this type of skin frequently have dry hair, as well as small pores. Although dry skin is usually associated with a reduced risk of acne, it usually becomes more wrinkled with age than oily skin. Though some people only develop dry skin occasionally, others experience the condition continuously. Dry skin develops most often in the winter, when the combination of cold air outside and heated air inside causes low humidity. A person’s skin also becomes drier as they age.
  
  
• Oily skin. This type of skin contains excess amounts of oil (sebum). People with this type of skin often have oily hair, as well as large pores. Although they are more likely to develop acne, people with oily skin usually develop wrinkles later in life than those with dry skin. Heredity and hormones contribute to whether or not a person has oily skin.
  
  As with dryness, the oiliness of a person’s skin can vary from day to day. Factors such as the sun and the wind can contribute to oiliness. Weather can also cause oily skin. For example, hot and humid weather can contribute to perspiration. Sweating causes the skin to appear oilier than it would during colder weather.
  
  
• Balanced skin. Balanced, or “normal” skin, is neither oily nor dry. It is typically smooth with fine texture. People with this type of skin have few skin problems.
  
  
• Combination skin. This type of skin consists of oily areas, such as the on the forehead, nose and chin, and other areas that are balanced or dry.
  
  
• Sensitive skin. This type of skin is easily irritated. It may be oily or dry. People with sensitive skin may have allergic reactions to cosmetics and other skin products. Sensitive skin may also become dry after using a certain soap, or oily after using a certain type of lotion. These reactions are often triggered by additives, such as dyes and perfumes. 

Proper care of the facial skin involves gently washing the skin to remove dirt, cosmetics, sweat and oils, maintaining proper hydration, and avoiding products that cause irritation.

Because facial skin is typically exposed to the environment, it is susceptible to a variety of diseases, disorders, discolorations and growths. People with facial skin problems including severe acne, severe rashes and unusual growths (e.g., moles), should contact a dermatologist soon after the condition develops. Dermatologists are physicians that specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, mouth, hair, nails and external genitalia. Most facial skin problems can be treated by a dermatologist with a minimum amount of pain and risk.

Dermatologists can also recommend which products are best for different types of skin. What works well for dry skin may not be recommended for people with oily skin. People with certain conditions (e.g., acne) may also benefit from certain types of soaps, moisturizers or other types of skin products.