Identify your skin type when you have vitiligo

Identify your skin type when you have vitiligo

Identifying your skin type is essential for providing the most appropriate skin care , especially when you have vitiligo. Depigmented areas can be more sensitive and react differently to products. Knowing your skin well allows you to choose the most suitable creams, lotions, and sunscreens.

There are generally four main skin types. Oily skin is characterized by a shiny appearance. Dry skin has a thin, tight feel after showering. Normal skin has a smooth, even appearance. Combination skin is dry on the cheeks but oily on the forehead, nose, and chin.

Simple test to identify your skin type

This indicative test allows you to better understand your skin, and therefore adapt your care:

Start by thoroughly cleansing your face, then let it rest for 30 minutes without applying any product. Then apply strips of tissue paper: one on the temple towards the cheek and another on the mid-area, from the nose to the chin, covering the nose. Leave the strips in place for a few minutes, pressing lightly.

If both stripes show marks, the skin is most likely oily. If few marks appear, the skin is normal. If no marks are present, the skin is dry. If marks appear only on the strip in the middle zone, the skin is combination.

The different skin types

Oily skin
Oily skin produces excess sebum, which gives it a shiny, glossy appearance. Skin texture may appear uneven and pores may appear enlarged. Oily skin is more prone to blackheads, pimples, and microcysts, but it is less fragile than dry skin and generally ages better thanks to the hydrolipidic film that protects against dryness. This skin type is common among teenagers.

Dry skin
Dry skin lacks sebum and its hydrolipidic film is too thin, making it vulnerable to dehydration. It is characterized by a fine, tight texture, frequent irritation, and sometimes redness or itching, especially in cold weather. Older people are more often affected, as sebum production decreases with age.

Normal skin
Normal skin has a regular texture and an even tone. Sebum production is balanced, which helps maintain good hydration and an even appearance.

Combination skin
Combination skin combines dry and oily areas. The forehead, nose, and chin are generally oilier, while the cheeks and temples are drier.

This test is for guidance only. For an accurate diagnosis, only a dermatologist can determine your skin type.