Someone had to figure this out; why does it seem like everyone around us is having loads of skin complaints at a time when there are more skin care products than ever before?

Well someone did, no not us but a dermatologist came with the Baumann system that we have been using to stunning effect at our location.

Have you noticed dark spots on your skin after sun exposure or as a cut heals? If you borrow a friend’s cleanser, will you end up with irritated skin? Great skin results from addressing those questions and  the four parameters that really define your skin type:

• Dry (D) vs. Oily (O)

Oily skin appears shiny, and those who have it may prefer gel- or powder-based cosmetic products, as moisturizers feel greasy. Dry skin may appear dull and rough; dry skin types find moisturizer soothing and gravitate toward creamy makeup.

• Sensitive (S) vs. Resistant (R)

Sensitive skin flushes easily and may become red and irritated at the slightest deviation from its standard routine; it may also be prone to acne and eczema. While resistant skin sounds like an unqualified blessing, people with this type often need to use stronger products to penetrate their skin and achieve the desired effect.

• Pigmented (P) vs. Non-Pigmented (N)

Some people believe that pigmented types are always dark-skinned, which is absolutely not the case. Anyone who experiences unwanted dark spots (melasma, sun spots, or freckles, for example) is a pigmented type.

• Wrinkled (W) vs. Tight (T)

Short of a crystal ball, this parameter is the best indication of how your skin will age, based on both genetic tendencies and lifestyle. You can’t do much about your genes, of course, but your daily routine can significantly affect your score on the wrinkled-tight scale: sun exposure, smoking, and poor nutrition, for example, all contribute to skin aging.

Put them together, and you get 16 skin types instead of three or four – a far more realistic picture that we can work with.
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Hi, I’m Deborah Chan, technical director of the Skin Type Solution programme at Spahaven. Like what you’re reading?

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It is a link that I discovered during our consultations; the products that we use to wash and treat our hair is a factor in causing breakouts.

This is why. Many hair products contain acne-causing ingredients such as isopropyl myristate (a chief culprit), coconut oil and other natural oils, silicone derivatives and petrolatum, all of which clog pores.

If you experience breakouts and acne, avoid these when you go shopping by looking at the labels. You can also look for products labeled “oil-free” or “noncomedogenic.”

Whatever conditioner you choose, try what I do; I always wash my face after rinsing my hair. This ensures any potentially irritating ingredients are not left on the skin.

If you use hair-styling products,  keep hair off the face with clips. If you are troubled by acne, try washing your hair product out before bed. Changing pillowcases frequently is another good way to avoid transferring hair products - an

d the dirt that can settle in your hair over the course of the day - to your skin.

Finally, try to avoid using hair-styling products when you know you’ll be exercising or perspiring. As you perspire, there’s a higher likelihood that those products will reside onto your skin and trigger breakouts.

Reader Special: 10% off all PHYTO haircare products that we carry in-store. PHYTO is a french botanical based range for hair and is to tresses what CLARINS is to skin, pure plant extracts and brilliant for sensitive scalps and diminishing follicles.