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Hi girls. The following is the first in a series of posts on what to do if you’re not a specific ‘type’. I’m referring to the advice you get in magazines, blogs, and websites, that gives tips on how to dress, do your makeup, and shop according to your ‘type’. There are body types (“apple”, “pear”, “hourglass”), skin types (“oily”, “dry”, “combination”), and even style types (“girly”, “preppy”, “rocker”) that are used over and over again. But, what do you do if you’re not as easily boxed in? How can you still use the information out there to your advantage?

This series will help you navigate the advice out there if you’re the kind of girl that just can’t be defined. First off, skin:

The Problem:

Every skin advice post seems to slot girls into 4 very broad categories: oily skin, dry skin, combination skin, and normal skin.

First of all, most girls skin types change throughout the year, as the climate around them changes. Second of all, lots of girls skin type changes throughout the month as the climate ‘within them’ changes (our hormones do some funky stuff). Therefore, how can we so easily decide if our skin is oily, or not oily?

Then there’s that ‘normal’ category, which is basically defined as your skin is perfection: not too oily, not too dry, no zits, blemishes, or other unpleasantness. That’s supposed to be normal?? Isn’t normal supposed to be what is most common, or average? I would argue that the average girl’s skin is occasionally oily, or dry, and maybe (gasp) even has a zit or two.

Let’s look at my skin as an example: it tends to be oily in the summer, and dry in the winter, and I always have a stray pimple or two, that get worse during that time of the month or when I don’t remove my makeup properly. So, what category do I fit into, exactly?

 The Solution:

To begin, take a deep breathe and rest assured that you are not alone. If nothing else, you’ve got me on the same team of “undefined, abnormal skin” and I would wager many more girls fall into this category. Next, realize that just because the information isn’t catered specifically to you, doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from it. Read different sections depending on how your skin is acting at that time of year, and carefully consider if the information is relevant to you before running off to the drugstore to scoop up all the products listed.

For example: it’s summertime so, as I mentioned, my skin tends to be oily. When reading an article on the best sunscreens for your skin type, I’ll probably check out the oily skin recommendation first. However, my skin isn’t super-oily, so if the sunscreen seems like it’s going to force my skin over the edge into dry territory, I might opt for a lesser-duty combination skin recommendation.

It isn’t easy, and it can be frustrating, but unless magazines, blogs, and basically the entire beauty industry can create unique skin care regimes and products for every individual on the planet, we’re going to have to work with what we’ve got.

What Do You Think?

Are you atypical? Do you find skin ‘types’ aggravating? What’s your skin like? Leave a comment and let me know!

Beauty

1 Comment

  1. avatar Sophie says:

    This is scary, but we have the exact same type of skin! Mine has always been oily in the T-zone, but this winter I started being really, really dry. I stopped wearing my mineral power, and instead focused on moisturizing morning and evening, and it has really helped :)

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