When it comes to skin types, what is normal, anyway? We can all get a little greasy or a little too dry, and everyone’s skin has sensitivities. But “normal skin”, is its own category altogether. It doesn’t describe perfectly smooth, blemish-free skin, since that’d be far from normal. And it’s not even the most common kind of skin in the world. It’s something else entirely, and we spoke about it with board-certified dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali. He told us more about the characteristics of normal skin, and the best regimen for people who are lucky enough to have it.
How to Tell if You Have Normal Skin
“Normal skin”, as it’s called in the dermatological world, describes skin that is overall well balanced. Bhanusali notes that people with normal skin experience minimal irritation, redness and drying — and don’t have the overly oily skin that might lead to breakouts or enlarged pores. “Generally speaking, this tends to be a transient thing and pretty much everyone can shift between the other aspects, like dry and oily,” he says, adding that “there is adequate oil production, but the cell turnover and exfoliation of the pores is regular, and it removes all the debris and pollutants before they have time to pile up.”
How Normal Skin Differs From Combination Skin
Don’t confuse normal skin for combination skin, which is characterized by having both oily and dry skin in different parts of the face simultaneously. “Combination skin refers to people who can have an oily ‘T-zone’ or mid face, while being dry in other areas,” says Bhanusali. Combination skin requires a regimen of toning and hydrating products, whereas “normal skin generally is balanced the vast majority of the time.”
The Best Morning Routine for Normal Skin
Even if your skin type is rare, your regimen is as common as the next: Start with a gentle cleanser, says Bhanusali, targeting ingredients like chamomile or glycerin. “They help maintain the epidermal barrier, which is the surface layer that protects you.”
If you exercise in the morning (or after you exercise in the day), use an alpha or beta hydroxyl acid. Doing so a couple times a week will keep pores clean and healthy. It’s just as effective if you aren’t exercising frequently, too. “If you overdo it on these acids, you can actually cause a compensatory hyper secretion of oils and get more breakouts,” Bhanusali warns. So just put it into rotation here and there.
After cleansing in the morning, Bhanusali says to use lighter moisturizers. He adds that products with hyaluronic acid will help maintain the moisture you already have, thus preserving your precious oil balance.
