Buy the Right Products for Your Skin Type

By midafternoon, a greasy film has developed on your face, even though your skin felt fine when you left home this morning.

The culprit? You probably have an oily T-zone.

Acne breakouts are making you feel like your 16-year-old self.

Minus the homework and boy-band crushes, anyway.

The more you scrub your skin, the oilier it seems to get, and the more you seem to break out.

That's because stripping the skin of oils prompts it to produce even more oil to compensate and restore balance.

Patches of skin on your face or body are flaky, whatever the season.

Or if you find that "winter skin" never seems to disappear.

Your complexion appears dull and lackluster, no matter how many "brightening" products you apply.

The reason? Dry skin doesn't reflect light as well as hydrated skin.

Moisturizer doesn't really make a difference, no matter how thick and creamy it is or how much you apply.

This happens when the moisturizer can't penetrate the scaly skin barrier.

Regular beauty products, especially ones that are scented, leave your skin irritated, red, and sometimes stinging.

Changing the kind of laundry detergent you use sets off a rash on your finicky skin.

Even using a new towel can make you see red.

Some spa treatments, such as intensive facials and alpha hydroxy peels, feel too strong.

You would much prefer a massage to having someone pick and poke at your face.

You have developed freckly-looking liver spots and fine lines.

Not the kind of deep wrinkles associated with frowning and smiling, but the lighter type that come from sun damage. And, no, you don't have to be a senior citizen. It could happen to beach bakers as young as 35.

You're 40-plus and your once supple skin is beginning to feel a bit crinkly, like tissue paper, and it has a crepey appearance.

Why? Oil glands dry out as you get older.

You notice the first signs of the dreaded turkey neck.

As you age, skin loses its elasticity (and turtleneck sweaters become more attractive).