Skin Care: Cleansing, Facial Treatments and Skin Types
Skin Care tests skin analysis, product selection and the safe sequence of a basic facial. Expect questions on normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin, and on when a facial should be refused.
Core rules
- Cleanse gently with a product suited to the skin type; avoid stripping the acid mantle.
- Analyse visually and by asking questions, not by diagnosing disease.
- Exfoliate only as tolerated; over-exfoliation causes redness and barrier damage.
- Steam should be comfortable, not hot, and kept away from asthma or sensitive clients.
- Extractions are only for trained staff and only on non-inflamed comedones.
- Massage follows safe directions; avoid active inflammation, infection or recent surgery.
- Use a mask suited to the goal, then moisturise and advise sun protection.
Skin types
- Normal: balanced, small pores, few blemishes.
- Dry: tight, flaky, fine lines; needs gentle cleanser and richer moisturiser.
- Oily: shine, enlarged pores; needs non-comedogenic, lightweight products.
- Combination: oily T-zone with drier cheeks.
- Sensitive: reacts easily; patch-test and use minimal products.
Worked example
A client has an oily T-zone, dry cheeks and no inflammation. Reasoning: this is combination skin. Choose a mild gel cleanser, apply moisturiser lightly to the T-zone and more generously to the cheeks, avoid heavy occlusive oils on the T-zone, and skip aggressive scrubbing. The reasoning matters more than the brand.
Traps that cost marks
- Steaming too hot or too long.
- Extracting inflamed acne.
- Using one product range for every skin type.
- Massaging over active infection.
- Forgetting aftercare and SPF advice.