Skin Types and Influencing Factors

The condition of the skin depends upon many factors. Skin cleansing and care regimens definitely have an impact. Diseases, climate and stress can also lead to changes in the skin state. Four different skin states exist: normal, dry, oily, mixed or combination skin. 

Normal skin
When normal, the skin is described as eudermic: fine pored, well supplied with blood, has a rosy color and uniform transparency. Problem-free, normal skin is neither too oily nor too dry.

Dry skin
Scaling patches on the skin can cause intense itching and a feeling of tightness. The skin appears rough and blotchy, sometimes even prematurely aged.

Oily skin
Characterized by enlarged pores filled with comedones (blackheads), oily skin shines, has irregular transparency and often looks pale, as well as yellowish.

Combination skin
The forehead, chin and nose are oily, while the cheeks appear normal to dry.

Factors Influencing the Skin
Internal (endogenous) factors include a presdisposition to one of the above skin types and to certain skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis), psoriasis or ichthyosis. Predisposed people can react to mental and stress-induced triggers. Hormones can also influence the skin condition. For example, hormonal changes trigger the acne of puberty or the age-related atrophy of the skin beginning in menopause. In contrast to premature skin aging, which is caused by external factors, genetics control biological skin aging characterized by:

• Diminishing capacity for cell regeneration and renewal
• Reduced sebaceous and sweat gland secretions
• Hardening of the connective tissue with reduced water binding capacity
• Degeneration of elastic fibers

External (endogenous) or environmental factors, include:

1. Free Radicals
UV radiation, pollutants, medicines, alcohol, smoking, ozone depletion and certain foods cause the formation of free radicals. These damage the cell interior and membrane through oxidation processes. In the epidermis, free radicals are generated mainly by UV exposure, which leads to premature skin aging.

2. Aggressive Substances
Many people such as hairdressers, builders and industrial workers come into contact with harmful substances on the job like acids, alkalis and solvents. These can damage the horny cell structures and interfere with the permeability barrier. As a result the skin can dry out, even to the point where it develops eczema.

3. Air Temperature and Humidity
Frequent showering with hot water leads to a loss of the skin's natural moisturizing factors (NMF's), as well as surface lipids, making the skin dry and rough. When exposed to cold, the blood vessels in the skin narrow to protect the body from heat loss. Sustained exposure to cold reduces sebaceous gland secretions and also dries out the skin. Heat exposure also leads to dry skin due to the overproduction and quick evaporation of sweat. If exposure to these factors is temporary, the skin's protective mechanisms can cope with the irritation, but if it is prolonged these fail leaving the skin sensitive and prone to disease.