Oily skin is a very common condition, mainly in teenagers, but is seen in people of any age. A person with oily skin attracts and holds more dust and dirt than a person with dry skin. The skin appears shiny due to the excess sebum. When the pores in the skin become clogged with oil and dirt, acne and black heads develop. Treating oily skin is simple. There are many cleansers on the market that are made especially for oily skin. These products contain alcohol. The alcohol dries the skin causing oily skin to become normal. When washing your face, it is recommended that you wash with warm water. Warm water pulls the dirt and dust out of the skin better than cold water. When rinsing the skin, you should use cold water. It is usually not necessary for a person with oily skin to use a moisturizer. This can cause the skin to be more oily. A teenager with oily skin should absolutely never use moisturizer.



Dry skin is another skin condition. Dry skin causes the skin to flake and look chapped. In severe cases of dry skin, the skin will crack. Dry skin can also be uncomfortable as it can become very itchy. Very cold or very warm temperatures can cause the skin to tighten up which can be very uncomfortable. People with dry skin are not prone to acne, however, the skin can become chapped when in a dry atmosphere. When someone with dry skin washes their face, they should use cold water to lather and warm water to rinse. Women with dry skin should always use make up and foundations that are alcohol free. Any make up containing alcohol will further dry the skin. Using a moisturizer on a regular basis is recommended to prevent tightening, itching, or cracking.

The third, and most common type of skin is combination skin. This type of skin is described in its name. It is a condition which is both dry and oily. Most people with combination skin have what is called a T-zone. This T-zone is oily skin on the forehead, nose, and chin. The rest of the skin, the cheeks, around the eyes, and the throat tend to be dry. Using two different types of skin cleansers is both time consuming and expensive. There are products on the market which are made for both skin types. These products are not two different types. It is the same product used two different ways. When using a cleanser for combination skin the cleanser is used as is for the oily areas. For the dry areas it should be diluted.

With proper treatment and skin care, dry skin, oily skin, and combination are not a problem at all.