Skin care for your skin type: a guide for Alanya's climate

Why start your skin care by knowing your skin type?

The same moisturiser can make a friend's skin look silky while leaving yours shiny or tight. Most of the time the reason isn't the quality of the product but whether it suits your skin type. How much oil your skin produces, how well it holds on to moisture and how quickly it reacts to its surroundings affect every choice, from cleanser to sunscreen.

Your skin type isn't completely fixed, either. The season, your age, sleep, stress and the products you use can all change what your skin needs at a given time. If you live somewhere like Alanya, with long, hot and humid summers and mild but windy winters, it's perfectly natural for your skin to behave differently through the year. A good routine is therefore a flexible one, where you listen to your skin and make small adjustments.

How to find your skin type at home

An easy way to get a rough idea of your skin type is the wash test that skin experts often recommend. Try it in the morning or evening, when your skin isn't under the effect of any product:

1. Wash your face with a gentle, foaming cleanser and lukewarm water.
2. Pat dry with a clean towel; don't apply toner, serum or cream.
3. Wait about 30 minutes without touching your face.
4. Then look at your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin in the mirror and notice how your skin feels.

If your skin feels tight and dull everywhere, it may be dry; if it is clearly shiny all over, oily; if it shines only on the forehead, nose and chin (the T-zone), combination; and if it feels neither tight nor shiny, normal. If you often notice redness, stinging or itching, your skin may be sensitive.

Five skin types and what each one needs

The summary below helps you see which group your skin is closest to and what to prioritise in your care. If you think you resemble more than one type, start with the most obvious feature and watch how your skin responds.

1. 01

   Normal skin

   Balanced oil and moisture; pores aren't prominent and there's neither tightness nor noticeable shine during the day.

   → Keep the balance: gentle cleansing, a light moisturiser and daily sun protection.

2. 02

   Dry skin

   Tightness after washing, a dull look and flaky-feeling areas, especially on the cheeks.

   → Restore moisture: non-foaming creamy cleansers, hydrating serums and richer-textured creams.

3. 03

   Oily skin

   Shine across the whole face by midday, more visible pores and blackheads.

   → Balance without drying: gel cleansers, light oil-free moisturisers and regular pore cleansing.

4. 04

   Combination skin

   A shiny T-zone with normal or dry cheeks; skin that behaves differently by area.

   → Care by zone: light textures overall, extra moisture for dry areas and a purifying mask on the T-zone.

5. 05

   Sensitive skin

   Skin that easily turns red with new products, wind or sun, and may sting or burn.

   → Keep it simple: short ingredient lists, fragrance-free products, patch-testing new products and strong physical sun protection.

A step-by-step daily skin care routine

A good routine doesn't have to be long. A few basic steps you can follow every day make far more difference than dozens of products waiting in the cupboard. The morning routine prepares your skin for the day and the sun; the evening routine removes the make-up, sunscreen and dirt of the day and prepares your skin to rest.

Alanya's climate and your skin: care season by season

Living on the Mediterranean coast is both a gift and a test for your skin. Most of the year is sunny, humidity rises in summer, and in winter wind and indoor heating can dry the skin. Changing your routine with small touches through the seasons helps your skin look balanced all year round.

Summer (June – September)

As heat and humidity rise, skin produces more oil, and heavy creams can leave a clogged feeling. Switch to gel or light lotion textures, and reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming in the sea. Refreshing your face with cool water during the day and drinking plenty of water help your skin look fresh.

Autumn (October – November)

After a long summer, skin often looks tired, dull and dehydrated. This is a great time for a professional cleansing facial and intense hydration. The sun is still strong, so keep using sunscreen.

Winter (December – February)

Even when the air is mild, wind and heaters such as air conditioning or stoves reduce your skin's moisture. Move to a richer night cream, use non-foaming cleansers and don't forget to moisturise your lips.

Spring (March – May)

As the sun gets stronger again, prepare your routine for summer: lighten your textures, renew the habit of daily sunscreen and leave winter dullness behind with a gentle facial.

Expert note

“Don't try to change your skin in a week; give it a little attention every day. A simple but regular routine helps keep your skin balanced, even under Alanya's sun.”

Sea, pool and air conditioning: skin care in holiday season

Summer in Alanya means a swim in the morning, work in an air-conditioned office at noon and an evening by the pool. Each of these affects your skin in a different way:

• Sea: Salt water can leave skin feeling tight as it dries. Rinse with fresh water after swimming and reapply sunscreen.
• Pool: Pool water can dry the skin. Shower afterwards, cleanse gently and moisturise.
• Air conditioning: Air humidity drops in closed, air-conditioned rooms. Keeping a hydrating mist on your desk and drinking water during the day help your skin feel more comfortable.

On evenings after a long day in the sun, keep your routine simple instead of trying new products: gentle cleansing, a soothing moisturiser and plenty of water.

Common skin care mistakes

• Over-cleansing: Washing more than twice a day or using harsh cleansers dries the skin and can lead to even more shine on oily skin.
• Skipping moisturiser on oily skin: Oily skin needs moisture too. A light, oil-free moisturiser helps keep the balance.
• Wearing sunscreen only in summer: Sunlight reaches your skin in winter and on cloudy days as well. Sunscreen should be an everyday step of your routine.
• Starting many new products at once: If your skin reacts, you won't know which product caused it. Add new products one at a time, with breaks in between.
• Sleeping in make-up: Night is your skin's time to rest; make-up and sunscreen residue can build up in the pores.
• Squeezing blackheads at home: This can leave marks and redness. It's better to leave pore cleansing to a professional in hygienic conditions.

When and how often should you have a professional facial?

Your home routine covers your skin's daily needs; a professional facial provides deeper cleansing and intense hydration that's hard to achieve at home. For a regular routine, a professional facial once a month is a good start, and your skin's needs become even clearer at the end of summer and between seasons.

At Dermalanya every facial begins with a skin analysis; then an aqua, classic, anti-ageing or oxygen facial is chosen according to what your skin needs that day. The aqua facial gently cleanses the pores with water pressure and vacuum and takes about 15–20 minutes; the classic facial takes about 1.5 hours with cleansing, steam, blackhead removal, a mask and massage. At the end of the session we also talk through the routine you'll follow at home. Results vary from person to person.