skin care just got personal
Your skin is as unique as you are; each of us has different skin types, concerns and goals. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by how to find the best products for your skincare routine, you’re not alone. When it comes to skin care, it seems like the number of new products is ever-growing - each sounding better than the next. What’s more, our skin and its needs are ever-changing - drier in winter and oilier in summer, for example. The question is: Which product will work for your lifestyle, skin type, and skincare goals? We’re here to give you the tools and knowledge to make tailoring your skincare routine to your skin’s needs so much easier. At sk.in, we want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge to make the right purchases. No more wasting money on products that don’t do what you need them to!
your skin, your match
We put all of our skincare expertise into an online sk.in test for you - in order for you to create a skincare routine that feels uniquely you. This sk.in test will give you personalised guidance from Dr Alek in less than 5 minutes (seriously, we timed it) - and it’s FREE. While it’s not a substitute for an in-person consultation with an aesthetic medical practitioner, skincare therapist or a dermatologist, this sk.in test will allow you to build a personalised skincare routine that actually works and it’s accessible to everyone.
here’s how it works
Step 1
Register online by filling in a few personal details like your full name, birth date, and email.
Step 2
Answer a few questions about your complexion. What’s your skin type? What is your main concern? How much sun do you get, etc.?
Step 3
After responding, Dr Alek will recommend some products that he thinks could work for you, plus a brief explanation of your results.
Step 4
If you notice your skin changing - whether it’s seasonal or hormonal - you can just take the sk.in test again!
Your personalised skincare routine is just a sk.in test away…
here’s a quick take on the different skin types
combination skin
Combination skin occurs when two or more different skin types occur on your face at the same time. Typically combination skin is used as a description when parts of your face are dry or flaky, and other parts of your face (such as the nose, chin, and forehead called the T-zone) is oily.
However the true term Combination skin actually describes any condition where the skin has more than one skin type, concern or issue such as when wrinkles and breakouts or rosacea and dry skin are present at the same time.
causes of combination skin
- Incorrect skin care regime
- Excessive exfoliation
- Medical skin conditions such as rosacea
- Excessive emollient moisturisers
- Reacting to an ingredient in your skin care product
dry and dehydrated skin
Typically people who suffer from dry skin feel that their skin is tight especially after cleansing and can look dry and flaky at certain times of the day. There is hope to have a supple, plump and well moisturised skin. Ingredients do exist whose main aim is to moisturise and plump those dry skin cells giving one the best looking skin possible.
Dry skin firstly needs moisturisation, but it also needs stimulation to renew cells and increase the production of collagen and elastin.
causes of dry and dehydrated skin
- Winter Weather
- Steamy Showers
- Moisture-Robbing Soaps: so avoid bar soaps when cleansing the face
- Granular exfoliators or scrubs or rough rubbing of the skin
- Natural ageing process: we tend to lose the ability to manufacture enough hyaluronic acid (our water absorption molecules in our skins)
- Medical conditions (xerosis): including but not limited to eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.
sensitive skin
Some of us are unlucky to suffer from a red and reactive skin even when applying gentle skin care products. Some of us may even experience a bright red skin after exercise, hot baths, or eating spicy foods or after drinking hot drinks. This may be Rosacea and if so it would need medical attention. Rosacea is characterised by 100’s of tiny veins in the superficial part of the skin that allow increased blood flow to the skin surface giving a bright red appearance to the affected areas. Almost like blushing!
Another important cause of sensitive skin is a disrupted skin barrier. Luckily for us this can be managed by using nourishing emollients and serums that contain antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
acne prone skin
Very simply put acne (or pimples) is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged or blocked with oil and dead skin cells. It is most common among teenagers, with a reported prevalence of 70% to 87% but acne is increasing among younger children and even with adults (25% of all adults are affected).
Depending on its severity, acne can cause emotional distress and scar the skin. The earlier you start treatment, the lower your risk of lasting physical and emotional damage.
causes of acne
- Oil production: have oily skin read more here.
- Dead skin cells
- Clogged pores: read how to exfoliate your skin here.
- Bacteria
acne comes in many forms:
- Whiteheads – closed plugged pores
- Blackheads – open plugged pores where the oil turns brown when exposed to air
- Papules – small red, tender bumps
- Pustules – pimples, which are papules with pus at their tips
- Nodules – large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin
- Cystic lesions – painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin
