Knowing your skin type is an important factor when it comes to creating a skincare routine. Different skin types have different skincare needs. Also, using products that aren’t suitable for your skin type can lead to issues like dryness, irritation or even breakouts. 

So... what skin type are you? 

How To Test Your Skin Type

One of the most effective ways to determine your skin type is to wash your face, pat it dry, leave it dry without applying any products for 1 hour, then observe your skin. 

What do you feel/see?

  • Dry skin: Feels tight, rough or flaky with a dull appearance 
  • Normal skin: Feels comfortable with an even tone and texture 
  • Oily skin: May feel greasy with a shiny appearance, particularly in the T-zone
  • Combination skin: The cheeks feel dry while the T-zone is oily 
  • Sensitive skin: Your skin may have some redness, irritation or itchiness 

How To Support Your Skin Type

Now that you know what your skin type is, let’s explore the best way to address your skin's specific needs with the help of our tallow balms!

Dry Skin 

Dry skin lacks hydration. Skin hydration is strongly linked to skin barrier function. The main role of moisturizing is to replenish the skin barrier, which is responsible for locking in moisture [1]. 

Tallow is loaded with bioavailable nutrients, particularly lipids, that replenish and nourish the skin barrier which improves the retention of moisture in the skin. It is a great option for those with dry skin! 

Looking to deeply hydrate your skin? The Healer, made with grass-fed and grass-finished tallow, organic tamanu oil and organic baobab oil, is an incredibly nourishing formulation that has helped many of our customers struggling with dry skin. 

Normal Skin

Normal skin is well-balanced, with little to no skin issues. The key here is maintenance -- keeping the skin clean and hydrated

The Simple Onemade with grass-fed and grass-finished tallow and organic jojoba oil, is a great option for those with normal skin because it helps to supply the skin with essential nutrients that nourish the skin, keeping it happy!

Oily Skin

Sebum is a natural oily substance that is a major component of the skin barrier. However, when too much sebum is produced, it can lead to oily skin, clogged pores and acne [2]. 

Consistent use of harsh products and over-washing that strips the skin of its natural oils causes the skin’s sebaceous glands to go into overdrive and increases the production of sebum to compensate, resulting in excess oil. 

This may sound counter intuitive, but in order to get the skin’s oil production back into balance, it is important to apply a lipid-rich moisturizer to the skin consistently to encourage the sebaceous glands to downregulate production of sebum. Over time, this will lead to a reduction of oil buildup on the skin.

Because tallow is rich in non-comedogenic lipids that are biocompatible to the lipid barrier [1], this makes it a great option for those with oily skin! 

The Clear One contains grass-fed and grass-finished tallow, organic jojoba oil, organic rose petals, organic green tea, organic frankincense resin and organic rosemary, all of which have the ability to balance sebum production!

Combination Skin

Combination skin has both oily and dry areas, usually with an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and drier cheeks. 

The Clear One is a great option for those with combination skin because it contains ingredients that help to nourish the skin barrier and increase moisture retention in the skin while balancing oil production.

Sensitive Skin 

Sensitive skin lacks a strong protective barrier [3]. Impaired skin barrier function makes the skin prone to irritation, redness and inflammation. It's what makes the skin more reactive. 

The key to supporting sensitive skin is soothing irritation while also repairing and restoring the protective barrier.  

The Beautiful One does just that. Organic jasmine, organic plantain and MSM powder help to soothe the skin and reduce redness, while tallow and colostrum powder deeply nourish and replenish the skin barrier. Making this the perfect option for those with sensitive skin! 

 

Every skin type requires a unique tailored approach. By centering your skincare regimen on your skin's specific needs, you can significantly enhance your skin's health and appearance.

Here at Sun & Moo, we love that we are able to help you support your skin's specific needs! 

 

References 

  1. Physiological, Pathological, and Circadian Factors Impacting Skin Hydration - PMC (nih.gov)
  2. An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the pathogenesis of acne - PMC (nih.gov)
  3. The Challenges in Investigating the Pathogenesis of Sensitive Skin by Noninvasive Measurements: A Systematic Review - PMC (nih.gov)
Maxine Nathan, BS Biology, NTP