What Is My Skin Type, And How Do I Take Care Of It?

You have used up tons of skin care products, and nothing has worked out for you. Well, it is time to ask yourself one question — What is my skin type?

Yes, not all products work the same on all skin types. Therefore, you should have a customized skin care regimen based on your skin type for the results to be prominent. This article helps determine your skin type and how to manage it properly. Keep scrolling.

Knowing Your Skin Type: Why It Is Important?

Different skin types react differently to cosmetic and skin care products. The way your skin reacts may change based on the weather conditions and seasons. Using inappropriate skin care products may cause reactions like rashes and breakouts. Most of the time, wrong skin care products fail to address your skin concerns and deliver any results.

Did You Know?

You can switch from one skin type to another due to hormonal imbalance, climate change, or age.

That is why you need a thorough understanding of your skin and how it behaves. This will help you pick the right products suitable for your skin type and needs. Let’s take a look at the different skin types in the next section.

The Five Different Skin Types

1. Normal Skin

Normal skin does not overreact to any ingredient. It has a balanced oil and sebum production and is usually healthy.

2. Oily Skin

Oily skin usually has large skin pores and overactive oil glands that secrete excess sebum or natural oils. Compared to other skin types, oily skin is prone to frequent acne breakouts.

3. Dry Skin

If your skin feels tight, flakes a lot, and feels itchy, you have dry skin. Dry skin needs a lot of moisturizers to stay healthy and plump. A consistent and mindfully planned skincare routine for dry skin is essential to keep it hydrated and nourished.

In a study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology in January 2019, examining 48,630 employed individuals in Germany, findings revealed that 29.4% of the participants were diagnosed with dry skin (xerosis). The research highlighted that while gender wasn’t a significant factor, older age correlated with higher occurrences of dry skin.

4. Combination Skin

Combination skin is not a true skin type and has both dry and oily skin characteristics. Those with combination skin often have oily T-zone and dry cheeks. It also changes as per the season and tends to turn oily during summers and dry during winters.

5. Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is prone to irritation and inflammation. It often reacts to multiple ingredients, especially the harsh ones (like alcohol), and gets irritated when exposed to triggers like heat and friction. People with sensitive skin are prone to issues like cystic acne, contact dermatitis, and rosacea. For those dealing with these concerns, following specific beauty tips for sensitive skin, such as using products with gentle ingredients and limiting sun-exposure, can help manage and soothe your skin effectively.

These are five basic skin types that may further change with age. If you are confused about your skin types, here are a few ways to determine that.

How To Tell Your Skin Type

1. The Bare-Faced Method

• Cleanse your face thoroughly with a mild cleanser and gently pat it dry.
• Do not apply any lotion or moisturizer.
• After 30 minutes, analyze the cheeks, jawline, nose, and forehead to check for shine.
• Wait for another 30 minutes. See how it feels when you smile or stretch your facial muscles.
• If your face feels tight and stretchy, minus any shine, you probably have dry skin.
• If you see a shiny T-zone, it means you probably have normal or combination skin.
• If both the T-zone and cheeks turn shiny, you have oily skin.

2. The Blotting Sheet Method

Compared to the bare-faced method, this is an easy and effective way to assess your skin type.

• Pat a blotting paper gently all over your face, especially on the chin, nose, forehead, and cheeks.
• Hold the sheet against the light to assess the amount of oil deposit on it.
• If the sheet has little or no oil, you probably have dry skin.
• If you see some amount of oil on it, especially around your forehead and nose, you must have normal or combination skin.
• If the blotting paper is saturated with oil, you have oily skin.

3. Take Professional Help

Consult a dermatologist to determine your skin type. Dermatologists thoroughly evaluate the skin and guide you accordingly. Moreover, they can help you set a proper daily skincare routine by guiding you through ingredients and products suitable for your skin type and concern and ways to care for it. Here are a few more tips for maintaining healthy skin as per your skin type.

Jaimie, a blogger, guides readers on how to determine their skin type for effective skincare. She mentions how a person might fall under multiple categories under skin type. She writes, “I am considered Combination Oily skin type! I am oily the majority of the time, but depending on the climate I’m in and the time of the month it is, I can get dry patches, especially on my jawline and eye area (i).”

Skin Care Tips Based On Your Skin Type

1. Normal Skin

• Normal skin is not difficult to manage. It needs basic TLC and a basic skin care routine with the right products.
• Follow a daily CTM (cleansing-toning-moisturizing) routine.
• Always apply sunscreen when stepping out and use an anti-aging serum (if you have mature skin).

2. Oily Skin

• Cleanse your face twice a day and exfoliate once a week.
• Follow a basic CTM routine. Toning is crucial for oily skin as it helps minimize the appearance of pores and controls excess oil production.
• Always use a water-based (or gel-based) moisturizer and serum. Pick non-comedogenic products.

3. Dry Skin

• Choose products that do not contain alcohol and sulfates as they strip the skin’s natural oils.
• Avoid taking super hot showers. Instead, use lukewarm or room-temperature water to cleanse your face.
• If you live in a colder region, use a humidifier to maintain the skin’s moisture balance.
• Use products containing natural butters and plant oils to keep your skin hydrated.

4. Combination Skin

• Combination skin demands a combination of products to address both oily and dry areas on the face.
• Follow a basic CTM routine. Choose products depending on the state of your skin at that time.
• Use gentle and hydrating products that do not irritate the skin.

5. Sensitive Skin

• Use organic and plant-based products developed for sensitive skin. If you have conditions like rosacea or dermatitis, choose products that help address these concerns.
• Always do a patch test on your neck or your hand before trying out any product.
• Stick to products free of chemicals, alcohol, artificial fragrances and preservatives, and essential oils.
• Avoid experimenting with skin care products.
• Consult a dermatologist for product suggestions.

Pro Tip

Micellar water is a simple yet effective cleanser suitable for all skin types. Take two cotton pads, soak them in it, and wipe your face. This keeps your face free of dirt, makeup, and sweat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the least common skin type?

The normal or balanced skin type is considered the least common skin type.

What is the most common skin type?

Combination skin type is considered to be the most common skin type.

Knowing your skin type is the first step in your skincare journey. The video below dives into the diverse skin types and helps you understand the unique skin tones so that you can tailor your skin care for optimum results. Click here to watch it!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Vindhya L VeerulaMD, FAAD

   

Dr. Veerula (Dr. V) is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons. She is an energetic, proactive, and compassionate medical practitioner with 5 years of experience and a thorough understanding of overall mind-body-spiritual wellness.

Read full bio of Dr. Vindhya L Veerula

Annie JangamBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer with 11 years of experience. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make science interesting and easy to understand.

Read full bio of Annie Jangam

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

Read full bio of Eshna Das

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

Read full bio of Monomita Chakraborty