A study has shown that around 30 percent of all people believe they have a normal skin condition [1]. If this is the case, then these people are really lucky, because normal skin is the most uncomplicated variant of all skin types presenting a youthful, radiant complexion. In reality, normal skin is rather rare and mostly found in younger individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 [3]. Even for them, it can be a rather temporary condition, because given the constant changes in the outside world and in their own bodies, this complexion also needs proper cleansing and care to remain as smooth and pure. What is necessary to maintain normal skin, and which products are suitable, we explain to you in the following article.

• Normal Facial Skin
• Cleansing of normal skin
• Post Cleansing: Toner and Peelings
• Facial care for normal skin
• How normal skin can get out of balance
• Bottom line
• FAQ
• Sources

Normal Facial Skin

Pimples, skin impurities, inflammations, irritations, skin flakes, dry or greasy spots are not found in people with normal skin. If you belong to this group, your skin on the face and body is virtually at peace with itself and insensitive to environmental influences [3].


All physiological functions such as sebum production, keratinization, regeneration, blood circulation, peeling, and lipid and moisture content are in balance, and the cell stores are sufficiently filled with everything they need for a healthy metabolism. It is sufficiently moisturized and beautifully plump. Accordingly, your skin appearance is supple/elastic, resistant and healthy and has features such as a

• smooth surface with fine pores
• even, rosy surface and
• a soft shimmer [1; 2; 4].

The forehead, nose and chin (the so-called T-zone) can have a touch more shine than the rest of the skin, even with your normal skin texture, because there are more sebaceous glands there. Unlike combination skin, however, it does not become oily and is not easily irritated.


In order for your skin to maintain this ideal condition and prevent pathogens and pollutants from invading it, its protective skin barrier must remain intact. This can be achieved with the right cleansing, care and a balanced lifestyle and diet. 

Cleansing of normal skin

Even normal skin must be thoroughly but gently cleansed and freed from sweat, dirt, metabolic and make-up residues without permanently damaging its natural protective film. This is important, at least in the evening, to prevent the formation of a breeding ground for germs and thus inflammation.


It is important that your facial cleanser is a pH-neutral or slightly acidic, soap-free product (e.g. a cleansing gel or cleansing milk), that it is water-dispensing and contains skin-friendly surfactants. If, on the other hand, you feel tightness on your skin after cleansing, then the product has dehydrated it too much [1].


The oil cleansing method uses cleansing oils to remove dirt, makeup residue and debris from the skin. It is ideal for all skin needs as it cleanses thoroughly but gently without damaging the barrier layer and leaving a greasy film.


Using natural oils, will simultaneously nourish your skin, protect it from free radicals and promote its ability to absorb, resist and regenerate. They can also help boost skin metabolism and improve overall skin condition. To do so, massage a small amount of oil into your facial skin and then wash it off with lukewarm water to remove it without leaving any residue.


Important to note –– your cleansing products should not contain the following in any case: 

• aggressive surfactants such as sulfates, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, PEG-4 laurate, as they dissolve important skin lipids from the skin and
• "bad" alcohols such as alcohol denat, ethanol, methanol, which dry out the skin..

Tips on ingredients for cleansing normal skin

Make sure that you choose products that suit the needs of your skin. For normal skin, the most suitable ingredients are:

• Pentylene glycol as moisturizer
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Squalane, Argan or Jojoba Oil
• natural sugar surfactants

Post cleansing: Toner and Peelings

Toning to soothe your skin, regulate the pH level or refine pores is not really necessary. However, it is nice to have a facial toner that is alcohol-free or low in alcohol (<15 percent [5]), for example thermal or rose water, which removes the last traces of dirt and excessive sebum and can support the effect of the subsequent care products [4].


Once a week, you can exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells and trapped dirt residues, possibly only in the T-zone. This will also stimulate blood circulation and refresh your skin [5].


It is better not to use brushes or similar beauty tools and coarse peels. They can cause microscopic injuries in your skin, loosen the oil from the barrier layer and thus open a way for harmful substances to enter your skin. Fruit acid or enzyme peels are better, as they gently cleanse your pores.

Skin-care for normal skin types

Normal skin actually requires little care. However, in order for your skin condition to remain as it is, your skin still needs one or the other prophylactic support. The following applies in particular: as much as necessary, as little as possible, so that no irritations occur due to excessive care, too many aggressive or wrong substances. Give your skin a consistent care routine, without too many products or constantly changing products, because this only confuses your skin.


The goals of your facial care should be to protect your skin from harmful influences such as free radicals caused by sunlight, to support its natural function and resistance, and to keep its water and fat balance stable.


During the day, light products are optimal such as serums, an O/W emulsion (oil-in-water emulsion), moisturizing lotion, milk or creams that moisturize and contain antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. They should be low in fat and contain little oil. They should contain very little oil. Then they can protect your skin from drying out and feeling tight and shield it from environmental influences [3; 4; 5].


For the regeneration time at night, a slightly richer care, a serum or a cream, can help regulate the fats in the skin. Non-comedogenic oils on moistened skin are also ideal for this purpose. In winter, when cold and wind stress your skin, you can also use this care during the day. In summer as well as in winter: apply a protection against UV rays during the day!

Tips on ideal active ingredients for normal skin care

Of course, there is an abundance of skin care for normal skin types. Finding the right product for you is anything but easy, even if your skin is currently still quite resistant.


Basically, make sure that your product does not have a long list of ingredients (INCI). They often indicate that it contains fillers and additives that your skin does not need or can even burden it. Here, quality is more important than quantity.


Vegetable oils that don't clog pores (non-comedogenic) and provide plenty of moisture are always good. They should provide just enough oil to keep moisture in the skin and balance sebum production. This way you can avoid getting dry skin or oily skin.


Hydrolates (ampoules or serums), which are made by steam distillation of plants or parts of plants, can contain water-soluble substances with strong healing properties. They can stimulate blood circulation in the skin, clarify and protect the skin from bacteria, moisturize it a lot and stimulate microcirculation and cell renewal in the skin. And finally, antioxidants help your skin from the harmful effects of the outside world. Examples of skin-friendly ingredients in the skin care of the normal skin condition are: 

• Argan, pomegranate seed, jojoba, grape seed, wild rose oil and squalane with valuable lipids, as in The Glow and in our facial oils The Morning Glow and The Evening Glow.
• Hyaluronic acid, allantoin, glycerin, aloe vera and urea as moisturizers, as in our care cream The Glow
• Rose, cucumber, calendula or aloe vera water
• Vitamins B3, B5, E and C as antioxidants, as in The Glow [5; 6].

How normal skin can get out of balance

Although your skin is relatively resistant now, it can also become irritated. Factors for this are for example: 

• Dry air in air-conditioned or overheated rooms, change from heat to cold.
• Hormonal changes, for example during menstruation or when using contraceptives in women.
• The wrong care, which under- or overburdens your skin and makes its protective barrier fragile.
• Unhealthy diet (high in sugar and/or fat) or insufficient intake of nutrients and vital substances.
• An allergy, for example, to food or environmental substances.
• Unbalanced work-life balance, too much stress and/or too little sleep, resulting in too little recovery time for your skin.
• Illnesses, physical and/or psychological problems.
• Stimulants and environmental toxins such as tobacco and alcohol.
• Excessive UV radiation and frequent sunburn.
• Certain medications such as antidepressants, painkillers and antibiotics.
• Advanced age [2].

The consequences can be dry skin, oily skin or combination skin, tightness, irritation or impurities. If this happens, you can have your skin condition professionally analyzed by experts such as dermatologists or estheticians, rethink your diet and lifestyle habits and adjust your cleansing and care accordingly.

Bottom line

The normal skin condition is balanced in all its functions and textures. It is widespread especially in younger age. The barrier layer and the moisture and lipid content in normal skin are intact and the skin is relatively insensitive to external stimuli.


Over the years, however, even the normal skin condition can develop into a different skin type due to various internal and external factors. To delay this as long as possible, the skin needs a mild, moisturizing cleansing and care routine and protection from overstress, such as UV radiation.

FAQ

What does normal skin look like?

The appearance of normal skin is fresh, youthful and smooth, with a healthy and resilient skin condition. Typical features of this skin type are fine pores, a rosy glow and a smooth surface. The skin condition remains stable with good care, the barrier function intact. This skin type also generally tolerates the odd sunbath well. However, hormonal changes, external influences and an unfavorable care, lifestyle and/or diet can also cause this skin type to become dry, produce more oil or sebum and change to another skin type such as combination skin.

What are the four skin types?

There are basically four different skin types, which differ in specific characteristics. Depending on the skin condition, they are divided into normal skin, dry skin, oily skin and combination skin. The mixed skin is characterized by the fact that it is rather oily in the T-zone and rather dry on the cheeks. It is therefore a mixed form of dry and oily skin and correspondingly more complicated to care for.

Which skin type am I?

If you want to know what type of skin you have, factors such as sensitivity, oil and moisture content must be determined. A cosmetician or dermatologist can determine your skin type by analyzing your skin condition and recommending the optimal care products for you from the variety of products and their ingredients.

What are the 6 skin types?

If we disregard the strictly cosmetic definition, there are a total of six skin conditions: the sensitive skin type, the normal skin type, the oily skin type, the dry skin type, combination skin and mature skin. They all have different characteristics and typical appearance. For example, dry skin is quickly irritated and tends to flake, oily skin produces more sebum and quickly develops impurities, and combination skin is shiny, especially in the T-zone due to increased sebum production. To determine your skin condition, it is best to consult an expert.