Normal Skin

You are born with your skin type. Although it remains the same throughout your lifetime, skin type can be affected by many factors. Normal skin isn’t really a skin type but rather an average. People with normal skin tend to have a number and size of oil-producing glands that is in between that which oily and dry skin types possess. Often people with normal skin tend to have enough of a skin thickness that prevents excessive water loss and hence are less prone to experiencing dry or flakey skin. They also produce enough oil to keep the skin moisturised but not so much that pores become clogged, enlarged or experience regular break-outs. Normal skin can, however, behave more like oily skin if triggered by hormonal or stressful events. Everybody’s skin also tends to get drier as we age. It can also dry out in response to environmental factors like harsh weather conditions or chemicals.

“Normal skin is defined as well-balanced skin which contains the optimal amount of sebum and moisture. This skin type tends to have fine pores, an even tone and is neither too oily or too dry. Both sensitivity and outbreaks are rare in normal skin but this can be triggered by internal and external stressors.”

Best Skincare Ingredients For Normal Skin

• Exfoliating acids and enzymes: will resurface the skin to target dullness and rough texture.  Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid are ideal for normal skin. More gentle exfoliation can be achieved with fruit enzymes like Papain or Bromelain.
• Retinoids: are the most powerful topical skincare ingredients. They reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, fade hyperpigmentation and smooth skin texture. Retinol is widely available over the counter and if you want something stronger then Tretinoin is a great option.
• Vitamin C: helps to brighten skin and encourages your skin cells to produce more collagen.
• Hyaluronic acid & Polyglutamic Acid: are excellent humectants which means they attract water to the skin. This can help to hydrate normal skin and prevent it from becoming too dry or too oily.

The Best Skincare for Normal Skin

The focus of any skincare routine for normal skin should be to maintain its properties and reduce stressors which tip it towards dryness or breaking out. If you have normal skin, you can more easily focus on additional skin goals such as texture, radiance or wrinkle-reduction as you will already have a good foundation in terms of oil regulation and hydration. The fundamentals of cleansing, resurfacing, hydrating and protecting your skin remain the same. Next up decide whether you have any key skin concerns such as skin ageing, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation or melasma. This will help you to create a personalised skincare routine that is completely based around your concerns and goals.

The most important thing to remember when putting together a skincare routine for normal skin is that this skin type is the end goal for most people. Hence, the aim of your skincare routine should be to maintain the desirable properties of normal skin such as being well balanced and having small pores. Your routine should avoid doing anything that causes normal skin to swing towards behaving like oily or dry skin (ie by clogging pores or stripping skin of its moisture). Your skincare routine should be based on cleansing, hydrating and protecting normal skin whilst add-ons are focused on addressing specific skin concerns or goals.

Daily Skincare Routine

Mornings

1. Cleanser: use a hydrating cleanser like lotion or cream.
2. Toner: apply an exfoliating toner with glycolic acid or other exfoliating acid to improve to smooth texture and wrinkles, even out skin tone and brighten your skin.
3. Actives: use these to boost the appearance of normal skin. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant that can help stimulate collagen production and brighten skin.
4. Moisturiser: apply a hydrating moisturiser that can also act as a primer for your makeup if you wear any. Look for a product with hyaluronic or polyglutamic acid. If you don’t want to use a separate active product, look for a moisturiser that contains Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.
5. Sunscreen: protect your skin from UV damage with at least SPF 30 sunscreen.

Evenings

1. Double Cleansers: remove makeup and pollutants with a cleansing oil or balm to keep your pores clean. Follow up with the cleanser you used in the morning.
2. Actives: use Retinol serum or Tretinoin to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone, brighten and smooth your skin.
3. Moisturiser: switch to a richer moisturiser in the evening to improve your skin’s hydration and maintain your skin-barrier. If you don’t want to use a separate retinoid product, opt for a hydrating night cream containing retinol. To finish, apply an under eye cream containing Retinol if you suffer from dark under eye circles or wish to reduce the appearance of smile lines or use a hydrating eye cream and sandwich your own retinoid product between teh layers of eye cream.

Weekly Skincare Routine

Once a week amp up your skincare routine with a weekly two-mask facial to target specific concerns and super-charge your skincare routine:

• Active Mask: use a product with a resurfacing chemical acid or enzyme exfoliator.
• Reparative Mask: apply a hydrating face mask that contains peptides, Vitamin C and other anti-oxidants to target dullness, skin ageing and sun damage. This will give you softer, hydrated and more radiant skin.

Professional Treatments

With a good skincare routine like this, your skin will feel noticeably softer and look fresh and glowing. If you want to speed up these results or build on them, then opt for prescription skincare products like Tretinoin cream. There are also additional at home prescription treatments that can target specific concerns like skin ageing, hyperpigmentation and melasma.

If you are interested in a professional skin treatment then consider chemical peels, advanced clinical facial and collagen induction therapy. These should be designed around your specific skin concerns, skin type and goals. Remember that you will at least need a course of several treatments regularly to achieve noticeable results.

Skincare Recommendations for Normal Skin