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Guide: How to Build a Skincare Regime for Different Skin Types

Achieving healthy and radiant-looking skin is a universal desire. Still, the surplus of skincare products and routines available can be overwhelming when searching for the right one to match your skin type. This is where No7 Derm Solutions comes into play for building your perfect three-step skincare routine specifically formulated to address typical skin issues.

This post will explore the benefits of building a skincare regimen tailored to your skin's unique needs and how it can help you attain your desired skin goals. The No7 Derm Solutions Skincare range contains beneficial skin-loving ingredients to encourage healthy-looking skin as its top priority. It caters to all skin types, including balanced, dry, sensitive, and oily. It has been carefully formulated to visibly balance and refresh your skin, delivering noticeable results within a month of consistent use.

First, I’ll explain the different skin types, their underlying causes, and effective treatments to improve them. I will also share my skin problems and the selection of products from the No7 Derm Solutions range that I have added to my skincare routine for my combination skin type.

What are the 5 Different Skin Types

Knowing your skin's distinct requirements is essential to achieving healthy-looking skin. Each person's skin has unique concerns, whether dryness, uneven texture, or signs of ageing. By understanding your skin's needs, you can create a personalised skincare routine that explicitly targets those issues.

The first step in knowing your skin's needs is to determine your skin type, which generally falls into one of five categories: oily, dry, combination, normal, and sensitive. Identifying your skin type and the specific issues you wish to address before starting a new skincare routine and matching your skin type to a tailored treatment plan is ideal for the best results.

a flatlay of three no7 beauty skincare products lying flat on a white table with plants in view — Sian Victoria © - No7 Derm Solutions™ Skincare

Dry Skin

Dry skin can be irritating and bothersome for many people. It can often spoil the look of makeup and, in some cases, become sore.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin occurs when the skin doesn't produce enough oil to keep it moisturised, resulting in a rough, tight, and occasionally flaky texture. Many factors can cause dry skin, including environmental triggers like cold weather, low humidity, and excessive exposure to hot water or harsh chemicals. Genetics and age can also contribute to the development of dry skin.

How to Treat Dry Skin?

Fortunately, numerous effective ways exist to treat dry skin and restore moisture and hydration. One of the most important things you can do is moisturise regularly with a rich and hydrating moisturiser that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. These help to lock in moisture and support the skin barrier, keeping your skin soft, supple, and hydrated.

Another essential step in combating dry skin is gently exfoliating to remove dead skin cells and promote a smoother, healthier complexion. However, it would be best not to over-exfoliate, as this can strip the skin of its natural oils and worsen the dryness.

In addition to using gentle exfoliants and moisturisers, it's crucial to avoid harsh and drying skincare products that contain alcohol. Instead, look for skincare products specifically formulated for dry skin containing soothing ingredients like niacinamide, such as the Derm Solutions™ Comforting Cream Cleanser Suitable for Dry & Sensitive Skin and the Derm Solutions™ 100-Hour Hydration Cream for dry skin.

Sensitive Skin

From my experience, dealing with sensitive skin can be frustrating. It is easily irritated and can become red, itchy, or irritated due to various factors.

What Causes Sensitive Skin?

Allergic reactions, extreme temperatures, and harsh skincare ingredients are common causes of sensitivity. To effectively manage this skin type, a gentle and minimalistic approach is essential.

How To Treat Sensitive Skin?

This involves avoiding skincare products that contain known irritants or harsh chemicals and instead opting for gentle products specifically formulated for sensitive skin.

Gentle cleansing is also crucial to managing sensitive skin. Avoid harsh scrubbing or over-exfoliating, as this can worsen the sensitivity. Instead, opt for a mild, non-foaming cleanser like the Comforting Cream Cleanser. When cleansing, gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel and never rub the skin.

Oily Skin

If you struggle with shiny and greasy skin, rest assured that you are not alone. While I was at university, my skin was excessively oily, which spoiled the look of my makeup and made me feel self-conscious. Thankfully, by educating myself on reducing oily skin, I’ve managed this and beat the shine.

Reasons For Oily Skin?

Oily skin is often caused by the overproduction of oil, known as sebum, by the sebaceous glands in the skin. While several reasons can be given, including genetics, hormonal changes, and skincare products, there are steps you can take to manage and treat oily skin effectively.

How to Treat Oily Skin?

Firstly, cleaning your skin regularly with a gentle cleanser that removes excess oil and impurities is vital. However, avoid using harsh cleansers or over-washing your face, as this can increase oil production.

Another essential step is moisturising your skin with a lightweight moisturiser. Despite popular belief, oily skin requires hydration to maintain a healthy-looking balance. Look for products containing ingredients like glycerin, which provide moisture without adding extra oil to the skin. You can find this moisturising agent in the Derm Solutions™ Lightweight Hydrating Lotion for oily skin.

Exfoliation is also essential for managing oily skin. It removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores, reducing the appearance of blemishes and keeping your skin looking fresh. However, please do not overdo it, as excessive exfoliation can irritate the skin and lead to even more oil production.

Lastly, picking skincare and makeup products specifically formulated for oily skin is essential. Look for non-comedogenic and mattifying products that help control shine throughout the day. These tips are the best way to reduce an oily T-zone.

Combination Skin

Combination skin is a complicated type that can be challenging to manage, involving both oily and dry areas. I’ve experienced this type throughout most of my teen and adult life; however, in recent years, since educating myself on skin types and the best products to use, my skin has generally been normal half of the time. It only fluctuates to combination skin when my hormones, sleep, everyday stress levels and lifestyle habits are unbalanced.

What is a Combination Skin Type?

Those with combination skin may observe that their T-zone, consisting of the forehead, nose, and chin, is typically oilier and blemish-prone, while the cheeks are drier. As such, finding an effective skincare routine that addresses these three concerns can be tricky.

How to Treat Combination Skin?

A balanced approach is vital when treating combination skin. Managing oil production in the T-zone is essential while providing sufficient hydration to the drier areas. Therefore, a skincare regime for combination skin should incorporate products that address the appearance of large pores and blemishes without causing excessive dryness.

Start by cleansing your skin with a gentle cleanser that removes excess oil and impurities without stripping away moisture.

Next, incorporate a targeted treatment to address your specific skin concerns. This may include salicylic acid products to help fight the appearance of blemishes and ceramides to provide hydration to dry areas. For oily and blemish-prone skin types to benefit from these active ingredients, you’ll find 2% Salicylic Acid in the Derm Solutions™ Clearing Treatment, while ceramides can be found in the Derm Solutions™ 100-Hour Hydration Cream.

Complete your skincare routine with a lightweight moisturiser that offers balanced hydration to your skin. Avoid comedogenic products as these clog pores and further exacerbate oiliness in the T-zone. Always look for the word non-comedogenic.

Normal Skin

Normal skin is considered the "perfect" skin type because it boasts a well-balanced composition and is free from significant skin issues.

What is Normal Skin Type?

This smooth-textured skin type showcases an even complexion with a well-hydrated appearance and typically doesn't experience any excess oiliness, dryness, or sensitivity. However, despite being low-maintenance, normal skin still requires a consistent skincare routine to maintain its natural glow.

To do this, it's necessary to follow a routine of cleansing twice daily, moisturising to maintain hydration, and safeguarding the skin against harmful UV rays using SPF. Although normal skin doesn't require specific treatments, incorporating occasional exfoliation and masks can help enhance its radiance and maintain a healthy-looking skin.

My Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin

Having gained an understanding of various skin types and how to improve them, I am keen to share my skin issues and the effective No7 Derm Solutions Skincare products I have chosen to address them. As for my skin type, sometimes it can be relatively normal, while other times I fall under the combination category, where my cheeks tend to be dry and flaky, whilst my nose and forehead are oily. During times of the month, I am also prone to blemishes on my T-zone, large pores, and skin sensitivity on my cheeks, which can cause occasional redness.

As some of you may know from a post I shared in 2017, I previously struggled with hormonal acne, ranging from mild to moderate. However, through extensive research on health and skincare in recent years, I have discovered that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as staying hydrated, following a balanced diet, avoiding excessive sun exposure, and following a proper skincare routine - I’m now pleased to say I don’t have acne.

a hand holding a no7 skincare cleanser with a snake plant in the background — Sian Victoria © - No7 Derm Solutions™ Calming Gel Cleanser

Step 1: Derm Solutions™ Calming Gel Cleanser

No7 Derm Solutions™ Calming Gel Cleanser is perfect for those with sensitive skin. This gentle yet effective formula deeply cleanses without drying out the skin, making it ideal for anyone looking for a soothing cleanser.

The key ingredient in this cleanser is the Adaptopro Complex™, which features a Triple Adaptogen System, Ceramides, and Niacinamide. These active ingredients work with other key ingredients in the formula to target visible signs of stress on the skin, help maintain the skin's moisture barrier, and provide hydration.

Not only does the No7 Derm Solutions™ Calming Gel Cleanser for oily skin leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed, but it also helps maintain your skin's delicate moisture barrier, feeling calm, soft, supple, and hydrated. Its fragrance-free and non-comedogenic ingredients suit those with oily and blemish-prone skin.

If you have sensitive skin, you must combine this calming gel cleanser into your skincare routine so that you can say hello to a soothed and happier complexion. The cleanser's clear gel-like consistency is a non-foaming formula, indicating it won't be drying to the skin.

Thankfully, it has gentle ingredients, leaves no residue and removes makeup well. In my daily skincare routine, I gently massage this cleanser onto my moistened skin both in the morning and evening, using circular motions to guarantee the removal of makeup. Following a thorough rinse, I'm pleased to see that my skin is immaculately clean and ready for the next step in my regime - applying serum.

a hand holding a no7 skincare serum with a snake plant in the background — Sian Victoria © - No7 Derm Solutions™ Skin Balancing Serum

Step 2: Derm Solutions™ Skin Balancing Serum

The No7 Derm Solutions™ Skin Balancing Serum is an effective solution for those seeking to improve the healthy appearance and balance of their skin. This serum is suitable for all skin types. It restores and maintains the skin's natural balance, improving texture and tone evenness, radiance, moisture levels, and oiliness. The serum has been developed with the input of leading dermatologists and has been clinically proven to improve signs of healthy-looking skin visibly.

One of the key factors behind this serum's effectiveness is its potent active ingredients, which include a specially formulated antioxidant complex containing Green Tea, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. This formula helps protect the skin from external damage while hydrating and promoting even skin tone, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.

So, adding the No7 Derm Solutions™ Skin Balancing Serum to your daily skincare routine is a simple yet effective way to achieve healthy, balanced, and radiant-looking skin.

After thoroughly cleansing my face, I gently tap the serum onto my skin with my fingertips, ensuring an even application. What I enjoy about this formula is that it is lightweight, has a lovely scent, and is easily spreadable. With a little going a long way, it’s much less messy than using a dropper, as this can be applied precisely with no waste. I give the serum a moment to absorb before proceeding to the final step of moisturising with lotion.

a hand holding a no7 skincare face lotion with a snake plant in the background — Sian Victoria © - No7 Derm Solutions™ Lightweight Hydrating Lotion

Step 3: Derm Solutions™ Lightweight Hydrating Lotion

If, like me, you want to revitalise your oily, blemish-prone skin, the No7 Derm Solutions™ Lightweight Hydrating Lotion may be the solution for hydration that lasts 100 hours. This lotion caters to the specific needs of oily and blemish-prone skin and can quickly become part of your skincare routine.

The Lightweight Hydrating Lotion boasts all the same active ingredients as the cleanser, such as ceramides and niacinamide, to help nourish and calm the skin visibly.

With the inclusion of the Triple Adaptogen System, the lotion and cleanser deliver powerful ingredients that adapt to protect the skin from external stressors. The formula leaves skin feeling soothed and balanced and promotes a healthy-looking complexion.

Therefore, this lotion is ideal for sensitive skin and individuals struggling with oily and blemish-prone skin, like me. Regularly using this lotion can yield healthier and more radiant-looking skin while achieving balance.

Once I've applied my serum, I pay extra attention to my dry areas, particularly my cheeks, ensuring that the lotion is evenly applied. The moisturiser is also lightweight and spreads well, making the skin smooth and with no greasy feel; therefore, it creates the perfect base before applying makeup. Like the cleanser and serum, I make it a point to use the lotion in the morning and at night. With this final step, my skincare regime for sensitive, dry, and combination skin is complete.

To conclude

My skin has felt much more comfortable since using this streamlined yet effective routine. It is not tight from dryness and is thankfully less oily during certain times of the month, and I’ve not experienced any sensitivity.

Experts recommend maintaining a skincare routine that matches your skin type for at least three months to notice the most significant difference in your skin alongside a healthy, balanced lifestyle, so I still have a few weeks to go. However, I’m happy with the noticeable results so far and love how this No7 treatment trio is easy and less fussy to maintain. It takes care of all my skin concerns in three simple steps and contains skin-loving ingredients, which is what my skin and busy lifestyle needs.

So, by adding this cleanse, treat, and protect trio into your daily routine, the No7 Derm Solutions Skincare Range can help you achieve your desired skin goals, whether you have dry, sensitive, oily, combination, or normal skin. With products tailored to meet your needs, the Derm Solutions range by the much-loved No7 brand provides an effective skincare routine that can address your skin concerns and give you healthier, more radiant-looking skin.

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