Hi All, I am just wondering how much everyone feels they identify with their skin type's description... is everyone pretty much going strictly by score, or factoring in the description, when determining type? I am very borderline, was treating as DSPW mainly for some dry winter issues, and now my skin seems to be acting a bit more "normally," so I really want to figure this out. My scores are 27 O, 31 S, 31 P, and 40 T - I wasn't sure about N/P until I remembered my dad has freckles all over his shoulders which put me into P definitely (at least I have that figured out!).

I am thinking I should just go with the scores at this point, and not worry so much about the descriptions. In the "Close-Up Look at Your Skin" section for OSPT, I can check off every item, whereas for OSPW, only about a third, but neither description seems to fit really well. Sorry if this is really stupid..... I just feel like I am kind of starting over now that I have healed some issues with dryness.

Any opinions? Thanks

Hi All, I am just wondering how much everyone feels they identify with their skin type's description... is everyone pretty much going strictly by score, or factoring in the description, when determining type? I am very borderline, was treating as DSPW mainly for some dry winter issues, and now my skin seems to be acting a bit more "normally," so I really want to figure this out. My scores are 27 O, 31 S, 31 P, and 40 T - I wasn't sure about N/P until I remembered my dad has freckles all over his shoulders which put me into P definitely (at least I have that figured out!).

I am thinking I should just go with the scores at this point, and not worry so much about the descriptions. In the "Close-Up Look at Your Skin" section for OSPT, I can check off every item, whereas for OSPW, only about a third, but neither description seems to fit really well. Sorry if this is really stupid..... I just feel like I am kind of starting over now that I have healed some issues with dryness.

Any opinions? Thanks

I was actually going to post something very similar to this when I first arrived here yesterday, so I'm glad to see somebody else went ahead and did it!  I finally decided to go with the numbers and adopt select recommendations from the chapter I fell into.  None of the descriptions seem to fit me entirely, but the OSPT one is probably the closest.

At one point I was partially convinced that I was OSNT (my P/N score was right on the border, 28 or 29).  The reason I ended up going back to OSPT is because I develop facial freckles when I get sun and tan into a golden color over time.  Also, Dr. Baumann notes that OSNTs are known for facial flushing... something I never deal with.  So here I am, the lucky OSPT who only deals with half of the OSPT problems alongside other odd issues.  Er, I guess?  Maybe I'll learn more from these forums! 

Hi Jessica, thanks for your response. I felt kind of silly after posting I've had the book since March and am feeling like a real newbie....

The OSPT doesn't sound like me in that I don't get any brown/dark spots after blemishes. But, she does indicate that the type has a big range, but they "share many common problems." I was uncertain about P/N for a while because it was so borderline, and I am fair with freckles, I can burn badly, and flushing is a problem for me - but, I also get new freckles and spots, I will tan slightly, and despite some redness my skin really has a gold or yellow undertone (not pale or rosy). I don't know how much ethnicity plays a role, but I have a mix of northern European / Celtic, and Mediterranean, so maybe that's why my skin is a little "confused." Also, I think my skin may have been closer to ORPT when I was younger, and has become sensitive over time - that chapter actually seems to fit better, except of course for sensitivity issues.

Oh - one other thing I am paying attention to is the specific issues each type addresses. For example for OSPT she lists pimples, dark spots, and redness, whereas for OSPW wrinkles top the list and redness is not specifically named - I definitely want to address redness and dark spots, and the occasional breakouts. I will want to prevent wrinkles once I have improved redness and gotten rid of a couple small sunspots (which are what show my age), but it is not a priority at this point.

Anyway, I will have to stop worrying about the borderline scores...

Thanks again

multabasia wrote:


You gals are making me feel so much better. This is an extension of my post in "no no ingredients". I feel the exact same way.

Nellie I can TOTALLY relate to you! I'm an OSPW but like you said, I deal with flushing more than wrinkles. I have Norwegian background on my dad's side but my mom has an olive complexion. I'm pretty fair and had a few light freckles as a kid but they faded. I also burn at first but gradually I can get pretty tan but it's a reddish tan. (like an American Indian)
SO confusing!!

Thanks for making me feel better!
Sondra