Skin and Makeup Tips for Dry, Medium, Oily and Combo skin types - Kelowna, Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Bridal Makeup and Hair Artists| S & Co. Beauty Group

With so many products out there, how can you possibly figure out what ones you need for your skin? What does YOUR skin need?

The thing is, just because one thing works for one person, doesn’t mean it will work for you. We all have different body chemistry and ingredients can react differently.

When purchasing new skincare, it’s best to speak to a representative to find out what recommendations they have based on your skin type. They should be asking questions to determine what your skin type is so they can recommend some products that can help it.

There is no need for a super complicated skincare regimen, you can keep it simple and have amazing skin. Of course, it’s nice to treat our skin sometimes with specialized products and masks. It’s also important to LOVE your skincare routine!

Here are some of my tips for each skin type. I haven’t covered everything here such as eczema, dark spots, rosacea, acne, etc. as that will be another blog post for more targeted needs.

What I have covered is oily skin, combo skin, dry skin and mature skin. Medium skin (also known as normal skin but what is normal anyway?!) can get away with simpler routines. Most basic is a good cleanser and good moisturizer. Serum is also great to have for a treatment! Choose based on age and skin needs.

If you can’t find an answer for your skin type, feel free to get in touch with me hello@scobeautygrp.ca and we can chat about your specific skin needs!

Okay let’s dig in!!

Oily skin tips:

Cleanse morning and night.
Use a good toner, alcohol free (as it’s still too drying and harsh on the skin).
Charcoal cleanser at night helps control oil.
Charcoal or clay face mask 2-3 times per week.
Pore minimizing products.
Daytime moisturizer. Aloe vera is great for daytime!
Chemical and physical exfoliants 2-3 times per week.
Products with salicylic acid/tea tree oil help with acne. Also glycolic acid, BHA and AHA are great for oily and acne prone skin.
Use blotting papers throughout the day

Combination skin tips:

Choose a gentle cleanser and good balancing toner since we’re dealing with oily and dry.
Lightweight moisturizers during the day that absorb well.
Choose a concern specific serum – brightening/rehydrating/acne prone.
Use a richer moisturizer at night.
Clay and charcoal masks can help with oilier areas and help remove impurities from your skin.
Exfoliate 2-3 times per week.
You can use blotting papers throughout the day if needed for oily areas.

Dry skin tips:

Apply serum and moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Serum-moisturizer-oil will lock in moisture. Something with Hyaluronic acid will be great.
Use gentle, fragrance and alcohol free products.
Use a facial spritz throughout the day for re-hydration.
Drink plenty of water.
Exfoliate your skin 1-2 times per week. Excessive exfoliation can lead to more dryness.
Chemical exfoliants are best for dry skin compared to a physical exfoliant.
Try an oil based cleanser to extra nourishment.
Moisturizing and nourishing face mask 2-3 times per week.
Dry skin can look dull, brighten it up with a vitamin c serum or other brightening serum.

Mature skin tips:

Most of the dry skin tips will fall under this category as your skin is likely dehydrated. But in addition:

Look for ageing well products (I don’t like the term “anti-aging”). Products that can reverse the signs of aging. Hydrating and nourishing. Retinol products are proven to give excellent results for the signs of ageing but can have their downfalls. See my post about Retinol and decide if it’s right for you. The plant based alternative is Bakuchiol extract. Functions exactly like a retinol without any of the negative side effects. Check out that post as well!
Your skin needs hydration. Drinking plenty of water is your first step towards more hydrated skin. A good serum will help put hydration into your skin as well before adding moisturizer
Have a day cream and a good, nourishing night cream. You’ll want something heavier at night when your skin is doing the most healing and loses the most moisture.
Hydrating face masks are great, try a sheet mask! See bottom of post for recommendations.

Oily skin makeup tips:

Prep is key! Cleanse, tone, treat, moisturize.
Choose a good primer that doesn’t offer lots of hydration. Mattifying or pore reducing.
Mineral powder foundation helps absorb oils and control shine.
For more coverage, the right liquid foundation can work. Choose mattifying and oil free!
Set your makeup with a mattifying powder.
Have blotting papers with you for touch ups.
Try a waterproof setting spray.

Combination skin makeup tips:

Prep is key! Cleanse, tone, treat, moisturize.
Add extra moisture where needed, if needed.
If you don’t have the luxury of 2 different primers, choose something for medium/normal skin types.
Mostly dry skin? Opt for a nourishing foundation. Mostly oily? Opt for a mattifying finish, oil free foundation.
Use a concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone for the t-zone which doubles as a highlighter. Powder well.
Set foundation with a mattifying powder. Also can use a setting spray.

Dry skin makeup tips:

Prep is key! Cleanse, tone, treat, moisturize.
Choose the right primer with added hydration benefits – hyaluronic acid is great!
For light coverage, a tinted moisturizer is perfect and concealer for spots.
For more coverage, liquid or cream foundation rich in moisturizers help keep the skin looking plump and glowing. Something with a dewy or glowy finish.
Opting for cream blushes would go nicer if your skin is considerably dry. Proper prep could allow you to use either compact powder or cream blush.
Careful with setting powders, overuse can amplify dry, flakey skin. Only use if needed.
Set makeup with a setting spray. This will also add moisture.

Mature skin makeup tips:

This will be similar to dry skin makeup tips. But in addition:

Remember, makeup can accentuate your wrinkles or reduce the appearance.
Avoid mattifying under the eyes and around the mouth area, anywhere you have wrinkles. Mattifying powders can get into those creases and make them stand out instead of hide. Choose a more illuminating powder to set your under eye makeup. This will have light reflecting properties to create that illusion of less noticeable wrinkles! But don’t go for the overly shimmery products.
Shimmers on the eyelids can help reflect light which again creates that illusion of less noticeable wrinkles and make your eyes pop! But avoid anything too glittery, more of that light shimmer/satin finish is what you’re after.
Cream shadows with a satin finish are your friend.
A soft eyeliner pencil will be better than a liquid. At this age, it’s almost impossible to get that crisp, straight, even line so don’t fight with it. Try an angle brush overtop to blend it. Some pencils have a smudge end.