Congratulations on finding your skin type! You are on the path to healthier skin!

The ORPW Skin Type is Oily, Resistant, Pigmented, and Wrinkled, with two barriers to skin health: pigmentation and wrinkles.

Dryness and sensitivity are not an issue for this skin type, though ORPWs can struggle with uneven skin tone and accelerated signs of aging such as lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. However, with the proper skincare regimen, ORPWs can effectively treat these skin concerns and achieve a healthy, clear complexion.

ORPW skin types do not have to worry about dryness, flaking, itching, redness, sensitivity, or inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea or eczema. Your skin produces enough sebum (oil) to keep your skin’s protective barrier healthy and functioning properly. This allows adequate moisture to be sealed inside, while keeping irritants and allergens from penetrating your skin.

ORPW skin can face pigmentation problems such as melasma, dark spots, and uneven skin tone, as well as signs of premature aging. Most ORPWs fit into one of three categories:

1. A younger person with significant sun exposure, who usually dislikes the feel of sunscreen due to the oiliness of their skin.
2. A woman with melasma that may be due to pregnancy or hormone use.
3. Someone over the age of 30 who did not use much sunscreen in the past.

The best skincare ingredients for ORPWs have skin-lightening qualities to treat uneven skin tone, as well as antioxidants and anti-aging qualities to smooth away the appearance of lines and wrinkles and help to prevent future signs of premature aging. Some of the best skincare ingredients for this skin type include:

Ascorbic acid

Azelaic acid

Caffeine

Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone)

Defensins

Glycolic acid

Green tea

Hexylresorcinol

Hydroquinone

Kojic acid

Linoleic acid

Methyl dihydroxybenzoate

Niacinamide

Oleic acid

Phloretin

Resorcinol

Resveratrol

Retinol

Salicylic acid

Tranexamic acid

ORPW skin types should use a foaming cleanser to help control excessive oil on the skin. Salicylic acid cleaners can also be used to keep pores clear. Various treatment products can be used, depending on your skin’s specific needs, and can include antioxidants, skin-lightening products, and anti-aging products.

There are many kinds of ingredients that treat dark spots and hyperpigmentation in various ways. Two of the most common kinds of skin lighteners are tyrosinase inhibitors and PAR-2 blockers.

Nearly all ORPWs can benefit from using a retinoid to treat wrinkles and pigmentation, while simultaneously helping to control sebum production. However, because your skin barrier is intact and functioning as it should, treatment products like retinoids can have trouble reaching the deeper layers of your skin. To remedy this, use a hyaluronic acid moisturizer to increase the penetration of your treatment products. Cleansing with warm water may also help to increase penetration.

All Baumann Skin Types, including ORPWs, should use daily sunscreen. Oily types should choose a non-comedogenic sunscreen and skip morning moisturizers to avoid shininess.

Like other oily skin types, ORPWs should generally avoid ingredients that are known to clog pores, leading to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Ingredients to avoid include:

Borage seed oil

Coconut oil

Mineral oil

Olive oil

Palmitic acid

Petrolatum

Safflower oil

ORPW skin types should avoid skincare products that can cause clogged pores or worsen pigmentation problems. Moisturizers with saturated fats such as palmitic acid should be avoided because they can activate tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production.

Salicylic acid peels with skin-lightening ingredients can help to even skin tone, clear pores, and provide radiance. If you find that your treatment products have trouble penetrating your skin for maximum effectiveness, HydraFacials, dermaplaning and microdermabrasion can help.

ORPWs with uneven skin tone and dark spots due to sun exposure can benefit from certain laser and IPL treatments. However, if your pigmentation concerns are due to melasma, blue light and laser treatments should be avoided, as these treatments can make melasma worse.

Botulinum toxin injections, dermal fillers, and skin-tightening devices can help to smooth away lines and wrinkles and tighten sagging skin.

Having only two of the four barriers to skin health, ORPW skin can be fairly easy to manage with the proper treatment products, cosmetic procedures, and healthy lifestyle habits. Daily sunscreen use is a must for all Baumann Skin Types, but especially those like ORPW who struggle with uneven skin tone.