The Skin Archetype framework is a descriptive model for understanding recurring patterns in skin behaviour.
It does not diagnose.
It does not recommend.
It does not resolve.
The framework exists to organise observation, not to produce answers.
What the framework is built on
Skin behaviour is shaped by context.
Rather than viewing skin in isolation, this framework considers how it commonly responds to broader conditions over time.
These conditions may include pace, load, recovery, environment, and periods of sustained change.
Patterns, not causes
The framework does not attempt to explain why a pattern exists.
It simply names patterns that are frequently observed to repeat.
This distinction matters.
Naming a pattern is not the same as identifying a cause.
Why the framework avoids outcomes
Outcome-based language creates pressure.
This framework intentionally avoids promises, predictions, or improvement narratives.
Its role is to clarify experience, not to shape behaviour.
How archetypes are used within the framework
Archetypes function as reference categories.
Each archetype represents a common pattern of skin response, not a fixed state.
People may recognise one archetype strongly, several partially, or different ones at different times.
What this framework deliberately excludes
This framework does not include:
- Medical classification.
- Diagnostic criteria.
- Treatment pathways.
- Product guidance.
These exclusions are intentional.
Scope and limits
The Skin Archetype framework is complete at the point of recognition.
It does not require continuation.
Understanding a pattern does not obligate action.