Hi - I'm new to this website and have been posting on the OSPW website, because when I was young, I had oily skin. The first time I took the test, I hadn't done any of the experimenting with wearing foundation without powder for a few hours, going with moisturizer only, going with nothing at all on my skin for a few hours, etc.

For the past few days, I've been reading the OSPW & OSPT chapter, but it just never seemed right - some of the recommended products just made me cringe because my skin is so sensitive - the retinols, salicylic acid - ouchy! So today I've been experimenting, and I retook the test - I actually have DRY skin!!! No wonder my skin is so stinkin' sensitive all the time! I've been treating it like it's oily when it's actually dry! And although my score isn't super dry, it still fits right into the dry category - no question about it. After I started reading the DSPW & DSPT chapters (I'm borderline on the W/T), it started making sense and clicking - some of the case studies sound exactly like what I'm going through.

I feel like such a dork! For days now I've been pouring over the Oily sections trying to figure out where I fit in, but now I've finally come to grips with the fact that my skin has changed since I was a teenager - being in my mid-thirties and 2 children later, of course it has! What was I thinking??! ???

Has anyone else has an "A-HA" moment like this too? Am I alone in my denial?

Thanks for letting me ramble.

Beth

Hi - I'm new to this website and have been posting on the OSPW website, because when I was young, I had oily skin. The first time I took the test, I hadn't done any of the experimenting with wearing foundation without powder for a few hours, going with moisturizer only, going with nothing at all on my skin for a few hours, etc.

For the past few days, I've been reading the OSPW & OSPT chapter, but it just never seemed right - some of the recommended products just made me cringe because my skin is so sensitive - the retinols, salicylic acid - ouchy! So today I've been experimenting, and I retook the test - I actually have DRY skin!!! No wonder my skin is so stinkin' sensitive all the time! I've been treating it like it's oily when it's actually dry! And although my score isn't super dry, it still fits right into the dry category - no question about it. After I started reading the DSPW & DSPT chapters (I'm borderline on the W/T), it started making sense and clicking - some of the case studies sound exactly like what I'm going through.

I feel like such a dork! For days now I've been pouring over the Oily sections trying to figure out where I fit in, but now I've finally come to grips with the fact that my skin has changed since I was a teenager - being in my mid-thirties and 2 children later, of course it has! What was I thinking??! ???

Has anyone else has an "A-HA" moment like this too? Am I alone in my denial?

Thanks for letting me ramble.

Beth

Hi Beth, glad u found your true type in the end! i agree that there are so many overlaps between skin types that we sometimes misdiagnosed ourselves.

Actually, your post came in helpful since I'm trying to help my mother with her skin typing. She was certainly very oily in the past, leading to decades of breakouts and large pores. She still gets some whiteheads but overall, it certainly looks dry to every counter sales associate we have met. However, we have concluded that the mild breakouts that her DSPW skin gets is probably to sensitivity.

I, on the other hand, diagnosed myself as an OSNT at first. My skin is definitely OS, but I actually only got a P/N score of only 29, so technically I am Non-pigmented. However, I don't flush but the case studies and the descriptions of OSNT sound exactly like me. I figured from this experience that sometimes, if one is borderline on any category, one may find it helpful to observe one's own skin and listen to it. On a lighter note, the prescription regime that was recommended to OSPTs have been working well for me. I'm only on my fourth week and my skin hasnt looked so clear since I was 12! Only thing that bothers me is a bit of dryness which I suppose can be solved with a one of the recommended moisturizers.

All the best to you on your journey to better skin! I am sure the book will benefit your skin, as it has for all of us here

Karen

Hi Beth. Welcome!! No you are definitely not alone. I was in my mid thirties when I had my daughter and all of a sudden my skin went absolutely crazy. I was still oily and shiny but now I had flakes and dryness on top of it. I couldn't figure out what to use.

When I heard about Dr. Baumann's book, I was cautious but inside I was praying it would help. And did it ever!!! Luckily I had some photos of myself to gain insight. Not pretty pictures. Shiny, red blotches...the works. I definitely tested as an OSPW.

I figured my best course of action would be to start a regimen and then work out the kinks. I'm still doing that. Thank the heavens for places like CVS and Skinstore.com that actually give you time to try a product and then return it if you have to.

One thing I learned from the book is that skin does a lot of healing at night. My "A-HA" moment came when I started my night time regimen. I had never really done much with my face at night except wash it. I started alternating an over the counter serum and retinol product through the week. And suddenly, a-ha , no more dry spots or flakes on my slightly oily skin. I still need a sunscreen and I'm still trying to find the perfect one. But now I know what ingredients to look for.

Good luck in your journey. And don't despair. We're all right there with you.

We are all in great company!!!
I originally typed myself in February (the second the book hit the stands) as a DSPW, even tho I was only borderline on the O/D scale(24). Come Spring, I am gushing oil and breaking out! I re-typed myself and decided OSPW was more realistic as my new score is 26, but I live in a hot, humid climate and my sensitivity lends itself to breakouts and redness, but not itching and flaking.
When I re-typed myself, I changed my daytime moisturizer to an oil-free one, and changed my foundation to a powder, but kept cleansers, facial water, and nightime moisturizer the same. When winter comes (both weeks of it) I may change back.
For now, this half-and-half routine is working well.
My sensitivity and breakouts are a much bigger concern than oiliness or dryness.
Still: I feel your pain . . .

Hi everyone, I bought the book in March, which was probably the worst time for me to, because we were coming out of winter so the heat was still on, but my allergies were acting up big-time because of the changing weather and dampness - skin was going nuts - red, itchy, breaking out, etc. I typed myself as OSPT/OSPW at first, because of oily t-zone, clogged pores, skin's history, etc. but after failing with several of the OS cleansers, I read through the book again and realized (duh) that my skin was acting more DSPW. The big "A-ha" moment was realizing that I was feeling desperate, and it just fit too well with the name of that type

After using products to treat DS, my skin healed and became less reactive. It still has issues (mainly uneven tone), so I'm still trying to figure out if it is more truly DS or OS. I am thinking of trying a facial spray to see if that helps. Oh, other "A-ha" moments would be in realizing that scrubs were harming my skin, not helping it (I used to use them several times a week), and that moisturizing more than I had been felt good and improved the texture. And I've definitely found it helpful to do what Karen said, and just observe and listen to my skin.

Hope you all see healthier skin