You are often recommended to pick a skincare routine that is tailored to your skin type — dry, oily, combination, normal or sensitive. This is easier said than done because the truth of the matter is that your skin type can change, and sticking to one particular routine will do more harm than good. The skin type you are born with can change over time due to factors like ageing, hormonal shifts, weather conditions and certain medications. But we do not want you to fret or scratch your head about what might trigger a change in your skin. So, we roped inDr Sadhana Deshmukh to answer all the questions you might have on how your skin type can change.
01How does your skin type change over time?
"You are born with skin that is delicate pH alkaline, this slowly turns acidic as you grow older. As a teen, your skin tends to experience oiliness due to puberty. However, some people may have dryness if they have any eczema issues. In early teens and 20s, you can have acne issues due to excess sebum production at puberty. It is also interesting to note that your skin is at its best in your late 20s and early 30s. This is followed by signs of ageing that start in the mid-30s and early 40s when your skin becomes dry and fine lines and wrinkles appear. Later, as you age, your skin loses its natural hydration due to sebaceous glands producing less oil, and starts to look dry and saggy," says Dr Sadhana.
02Factors (other than age) that trigger skin type change
Other factors that can trigger a change in your skin type are: **01. Hormones: **According to Dr Sadhana, you go through many hormonal shifts in your life, leading to a change in your skin type. Puberty can make your skin oilier, while early menopause (as early as 45) have been associated with dry, dehydrated, wrinkly and crinkly skin. 02. Climate: Dr Sadhana revealed that: "The climate and environment largely affect your skin type. Winters are linked with extremely dry skin, calling for use of a thicker moisturiser. While summers can make your skin oily, lightweight and nourishing skin lotions are recommended. FYI, sunscreen is unavoidable in any season! **03. Diet: **What you put in your body affects your skin types as well. Healthy food habits can help delay signs of premature ageing on the skin. While unhealthy food habits, like processed sugar and dairy, can disturb your skin's collagen production, sometimes triggering eruptions on the skin. **04. Lifestyle: **Your lifestyle can cause a shift in your skin type too. Stress, for instance, has been blamed for making skin feel dull and greasy.
03Expert tips on dealing with change in skin type
Dr Sadhana recommended consulting a dermatologist when you notice a change in your skin type. This will help you pinpoint the cause and build a skincare routine that adjusts to the specific change in skincare needs. You need to:
- Pick the right products (especially face wash and moisturiser) that suit your skin type.
- Look for specific triggers — for instance, jawline acne caused due to hormonal imbalance — to add or replace products in your routine.
- Incorporate ingredients that deal with specific issues. Salicylic, mandelic and glycolic acids can help deal with oily skin. Similarly, ingredients like hyaluronic acid can moisturise combination skin types without making the T-zone even oilier.
- Add antioxidants in your daily diet to help maintain all skin types.
- Adapt your skincare routine to whatever your skin needs ATM, and not what it USED to need before your skin type changed.
