Fashion magazines and Instagram filters make us believe that normal skin is always perfectly smooth, radiant, has no visible pores at all and is evenly coloured. But is it really so? Does such skin actually exist? Let’s figure out together what normal skin is and how it looks like.
The term “normal skin” usually refers to the skin that has the optimal balance between skin oil and moisture. Such skin indeed has small and almost invisible pores, is smooth and soft to the touch, does not have a greasy sheen and does not flake. However, real-life normal skin is nowhere near as perfect as fashion magazines and Instagram filters make it look.
For example, normal skin can have the so-called sebaceous filaments in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin). At first glance, they may look like blackheads (comedones), but this isn’t what they are. The threadlike sebaceous filaments are the natural content of your pores. They are practically invisible in people with naturally small pores and more visible in people with larger pores. Sebaceous filament’s don’t require any treatment; you shouldn’t squeeze or pick them because it may result in inflammation and scarring.
Normal skin rarely looks like it’s made of porcelain. Even people with normal skin have to deal with imperfections from time to time such as an oily sheen, individual comedones and pimples, a slightly uneven skin tone, etc. In addition, even normal skin changes with age, so fine lines and wrinkles are inevitable, although they may appear later in people with normal skin than in people with other skin types.
People with normal skin are relatively rare; most of us have to deal with either excessive sebum secretion or excessive dryness, or with both problems at once (in case with the so-called combination skin). However, if you’re one of those lucky ones who have won the genetic lottery and have normal, mostly problem-free skin, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take care of your face. Proper skincare will ensure that your skin stays healthy and free of imperfections.
There is a common misconception that normal skin doesn’t need much care and that any cleanser and any moisturiser are enough to keep it in good condition. However, it is not quite so. Normal skin, like any other, needs a consistent skincare routine that includes multiple steps and meets the its peculiar needs.
Cleansing
A variety of facial cleansers are suitable for normal skin. They include foams, gels, mousses, lotions, and other products. When choosing a cleanser for normal skin, you need to make sure that it doesn’t contain harsh surfactants such as SLS or SLES. Washing your face with soap is generally not recommended even if you have normal skin because it can lead to dehydration and flaking. After washing your face, always apply toner that will remove cleanser residue from your skin, restore its natural pH level, and prepare your skin for the next steps of your skincare routine.
Exfoliation
If you have normal skin, exfoliating it once a week will be enough to keep you skin smooth and clear. You can use either a scrub or a chemical peel, depending on what you like more. However, if there is any skin damage (sunburn, rash, cold sores, inflammation, etc.), you should wait until your skin is completely healed because exfoliation will exacerbate the damage.
Hydration and Nourishment
A combination of a daytime and nighttime moisturiser is usually enough to keep normal skin without any visible problems nourished and hydrated. A daytime moisturiser is usually lighter than its nighttime counterpart; in addition, day moisturisers may have a sun protection factor (SPF) because all skin types need sun protection all the year round. You can choose any texture you like because normal skin isn’t particularly prone to clogged pores and comedones. However, it is still recommended to avoid moisturisers with highly comedogenic ingredients, just in case.
Masks and Serums
Does normal skin need masks and serums? The answer is definitely “yes”, especially if there are any problems not related to sebum secretion. For example, normal skin may need products that prevent dehydration, boost the skin’s firmness and elasticity, smooth out fine lines and slow down the formation of wrinkles, ensure enhanced antioxidant protection, etc. Make sure that the products you use are labelled “for normal skin” or “for all skin types”.
The type of your skin is determined genetically and doesn’t change over time. However, various external and internal factors can significantly affect the condition of your skin. For example, mature skin tends to be on the drier side. Therefore, it is important to have a good skincare routine and to stick to it no matter what. In our online shop Organic Store, you can find natural and organic products for normal skin at reasonable prices. We offer convenient payment methods and international delivery to most countries.
