The five most commonly asked skin care questions

1. What is my skin type and how is it determined?
Most women's skin type falls into one of six categories: dry; somewhat dry; normal; somewhat oily; oily; or combination. Skin type, which is determined by the amount of oil secretion, is hereditary. Environmental influences can tend to exacerbate conditions, but the different areas in the skin that produce oil and the amounts of oil produced are based on genetics.

Some women classify themselves as having sensitive skin. Although skin is remarkably robust, overexposure to the elements or overuse of products can lead to skin allergies or sensitivities. To avoid this, try to minimise the number of products you use and try to find ones designated for sensitive skin whenever possible.

2. Why do seasonal changes affect my skin?
Skin is remarkably resilient to damage and change, but it does become normalised to its environmental conditions. Therefore drastic changes often leave the skin lagging, requiring it to adjust to new conditions over time. For example, travelling to a dry climate or the sudden cold and windy conditions of winter often result in itchy, dry skin. As a result, the skin responds by increasing oil production to compensate for the weather's drying effects. Similarly, if you change the products you use in your skin care routine, your skin may have a reaction.

3. Why does stress affect my skin?
Skin is the body's barrier to the outside world, both as a physical protector and as part of a complex immune defence system. Even today, all the interrelated biological systems supporting the skin aren't completely understood, nor are the causes and effects of stress on the body. However, the simple fact is that stress interferes with the body's systems that repair and regulate the skin. For example, a loss in the skin's natural antioxidant defences due to stress can lead to accelerated ageing. Also, hormones associated with stress can trigger a histamine release within the skin, causing it to erupt in tiny red bumps or, in some cases, hives.