Makeup Training 101: Do You Know Your Skin Type? - QC Makeup Academy

Everyone’s skin is different, and no matter what your skin type is there’s a way to nourish it. Knowing your skin type is the first step to a proper skincare routine that will help you avoid future skin problems.

Read on to find out what your skin type is, how to work with it, and beauty advice you can pass on to your makeup clients! You’ll gain tips on which products to use on yourself and what to recommend to clients. A good canvas can make or break a flawless makeup finish. Don’t underestimate the power of the right skincare routine!

Dry Skin

For those who have dry skin, you’re no stranger to moisturizing throughout the day. Dry skin can become flaky and feel tight. This means that there’s not enough moisture in your skin to reach the outside layers and move comfortably. If this sounds like your skin type, using a moisturizing cleanser along with a heavier face lotion will help retain moisture throughout the day.

Dry skin is always thirsty, and sometimes moisturizer just isn’t enough. One way to help combat dry skin is by drinking lots of water! And we don’t just mean drink enough water—you should always be well-hydrated and make a point of taking water with you every day. Remember that cold weather can make dryness worse, so you may need to switch up your products!

Normal Skin

The term “normal skin” doesn’t mean everyone else is strange—it just means that your skin is neither oily nor dry. Having a normal skin type is lucky since it doesn’t need as much attention as other types generally do. Although normal skin is great for applying makeup, it doesn’t mean that you’re out of the woods. Proper skincare is of dire importance, so you still need to cleanse and moisturize daily!

Normal skin types can still suffer from skin conditions, like acne and rosacea. It’s less likely, but still possible. Be sure to take care of your skin with quality products to avoid running into skin problems in the future.

Oily Skin

With oily skin types, you’ll notice that within a few minutes of showering you get a slight shine to your face. The most important thing for oily skin: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! When your skin creates oil, this means that it’s compensating for a lack of moisture. To keep your face shine-free, use a cleanser that doesn’t contain oil AND doesn’t strip natural oil from the skin. You’ll actually make things a lot worse if you dry out your skin!

Moisturize with a light, mattifying lotion right after showering or cleansing your face. This will create a moisture barrier within your skin that cues your body to stop producing excess oil. When you feed your skin with moisture, you’ll notice a decrease in the amount of oil your skin creates. Now, this won’t completely stop oil production but using the right products will make a huge difference in your skin’s look and feel.

Combination Skin

This is where things get tricky. Combination skin tends to have normal, dry, and oily areas. For most, the forehead and nose are where your face tends to shine, and your cheeks feel dry or normal. When it comes to caring for combination skin it’s important to embrace what your skin needs.

Rather than using an arsenal of products, find a cleanser that is non-drying and also doesn’t contain extra oil. This will bring moisture to dry areas while avoiding oiliness in others. Moisturizing is a bit more complicated: be sure to use a heavier moisturizer on your dry patches and a mattifying moisturizer on your oily areas. You can find specialty moisturizers for combination skin, but be aware that these products may be more expensive (although they’re a major timesaver!).

Sensitive Skin

Working with sensitive skin calls for extra care and attention. You may notice redness or irritation, depending on your skin’s sensitivity level. It’s important to use products with no irritants or harsh chemicals—these can be painful and make your skin worse for wear! Look for cleansers and moisturizers made without fragrance. A key term to seek out is “non-comedogenic” products. These generally don’t contain harsh ingredients and don’t clog your pores. Although they may be more expensive, your skin will thank you for the special care. Proper products and soft touch will work wonders for stopping irritation.

Whatever your skin type is, make sure that you understand what it needs and how to take care of your skin. A little bit of research can go a long way! Creating a flawless makeup look is much easier when you prep the skin properly. Pass on this skincare advice to your clients and become the beauty guru they’ve always needed!

On the journey to your best skin ever? Learn more expert skincare tips from celebrity makeup artist Nathan Johnson!

Author Katie Deck

More posts by Katie Deck

Join the discussion 6 Comments

  • Annette silvestre says:

    Some great points in here!!! I’ve recently been working with people with very dry skin to the point of flaking. It’s so difficult to apply foundation when it clings to dry skin. This article has been extremely helpful!

  • Turfa Tehmeed says:

    Very informative and every description was on point !

  • Loronajo says:

    I like very good

  • Jenna Forsyth says:

    This is very informative and i will be taking notes for my up coming test in my class

  • lily says:

    hi my name is lily im 8 years old im makeing my own salon

    • Sloane Seguin says:

      Hi Lily, that’s so exciting! How cool is that that you have such big and wonderful dreams at such a young age! What do you plan on calling your salon? What kind of makeup would you like to do? You’re a rock star and we have no doubt that you’re going to do great things! <3

      All the best,
      The QC Team

Leave a Reply