There's not much you can do about the skin type you're born with. But by taking care of it properly, you can control and maintain texture and radiance from your 20s right through to your 50s and over. The types of skin are normal, oily, dry and combination. Knowing your skin type and understanding your coloring are the first and most important steps you can take towards using cosmetics effectively and making the most of every feature. Skin care is about preparation. Before applying make-up you must start off with the best skin possible. If it’s greasy it will shallow up all your make-up, yet if it’s too dry, it will start to separate and flake around your nose. If your skin is clean and moist, your make-up will look good. Cleansing and nourishing is the key. But first of all, assess your skin. Then have a good selection of products on hand- a milk or oil cleanser perhaps a toner, a light moisturizer, all of these are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and it is especially important to use the right one for your skin type. They are determined according to the degree of oiliness or dryness. Generally, skin type correlates with pore size.
KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE
| Indicators | Normal / Dry | Normal / Oil | Sensitive |
| Pore size | fine | enlarged, especially on nose and chin | average |
| Blemishes | rare | occasional or often | occasionally. Tends to rashes and reacts often |
| Excess Oil | rare | develops an oily sheen throughout the day | seldom a problem |
| Lines | many around mouth and eyes | minimal | few |
| Sun sensitivity | seldom burns or readily burns | tans easily and generally does not burn | readily burns and becomes inflamed |
| Condition | taut, flaky | soft and supple | red, irritated, flaky and itchy |