Knowing what type of skin you have is important for your health care. Your protection depends on accurate information, which is the basis of correct decisions. Skin type determines which makeup, sunscreen and soap you can use and how much you need to help your biggest organ. Environmental factors such as pollution, UV radiation and chemicals damage your skin and block its normal functions.

Normal Skin: This is considered the standard type of skin that we all should have. Normal skin is soft, elastic and firm to the touch. The pores are small to medium in size. It needs no special care, unless exposed to hazardous environment factors.

Oily Skin: Nothing says I’m a teenager better than oily skin and pimples. This type of skin has a shiny look and is firmer than normal skin. Pores are larger and more visible and pimples are far more likely to appear, due to the excess oil produced by glands.

Dry Skin: Firmer than normal skin, but not as elastic. Dry skin is a lot less likely to develop pimples because the secretion of oil is lower than normal. However, the drawback is that dry skin wrinkles sooner. Keep in mind that dry skin can be caused by certain factors. If your skin type is not dry, but you do feel your skin is tight (especially facial skin) and lacking in moisture, then try to identify the source of this change. Soaps, certain types of heating, prolonged exposure to wind, insufficient water consumption and certain disorders can dry your skin.

Sensitive Skin: If you burn easily in the sun and wind, if cosmetics have always given you rashes and if your skin is irritated by almost anything, then it belongs to the sensitive type. You are far more prone to experience the adverse effects of exposure to the environment than other people.

Combination Skin: This is the strangest type of skin. Combination Skin means that different parts of the same person’s skin belong to different types. A common pattern for CS is the “T-Zone”, where the forehead, nose and chin form a “T”-shaped zone of oily skin, while the cheeks are normal or dry.

And since we’ve been discussing skin issues, let me throw in a couple of skin care pointers. As many of you know, the best skin care products are based on Aloe Vera. This plant has been used since the ancient times and its beneficial effects are well-documented. Herbalists have discovered a long time ago that the juice of fresh Aloe Vera can easily soothe and cure burns and other skin lesions. The high number of minerals, vitamins and amino acids contained by the plant makes it perfect for treating various skin issues.

Aloe Vera is, of course, the darling of the skin care market. Well-known skin care products and systems contain generous amounts of Aloe Vera juice. The ClearPores System, for instance, uses the powerful Salicylic Acid to clear acne and Aloe Vera to soothe the skin, help it close the distended pores and heal the lesions. The System is designed to take full advantage of the plant’s healing properties and treat acne. This is just one example, albeit a very good one, of the many uses of Aloe Vera.