How to identify your skin type?

The first step in anyone’s journey toward healthy skin is figuring out your skin type.

Before you reach for skincare products, getting acquainted with your skin’s needs and behaviors will decide your entire skincare routine. From choosing the right sunscreen or cleanser to finding a routine that works for you, it’s up to you to become an expert on your own skin and to make your skin look healthy, smooth, and clear.

What Are the Most Common Skin Types?

The four most common skin types are normal, dry, oily, and combination:

1. Normal Skin

In the skincare market, a “normal” skin type means that your skin is balanced and doesn’t have any uncomfortable issues. Balance is generally the goal for all skin types, but even balanced skin sometimes experiences breakouts or dullness. A proper cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing routine will usually keep things in check.

2. Dry Skin

Dry skin looks and feels rough and dull, sometimes also appearing red or flaky. If you have a dry skin type, your skin may feel tight, and you may see fine lines right after washing your face. Hydrating and protective skincare products are ideal products for this skin type, this includes gentle cleansers, hydrating serums, rich moisturizers, and face oils to fight flakiness. Dry skin apart from tightness throughout the day, and may experience noticeable flaking. Dry skin is largely due to genetics, environmental factors such as lifestyle & diet, hormonal changes, and climate. Dehydration is also a leading cause of dry skin, so drinking plenty of water and avoiding diuretics like alcohol and caffeine can make a significant difference in how your skin feels and looks. Daily exfoliation with gentle, non-abrasive ingredients help promote skin cell turnover without removing skin’s natural oils. Without an additional layer of dead skin, serums and treatments will be absorbed more easily. The best moisturizers for dry skin are those containing hyaluronic acid (often listed as sodium hyaluronate in ingredients), glycerin, and marine actives like algae, because of their ability to attract water and deliver it directly to skin cells. Emollients, including squalane and camellia oil, help smooth and hydrate your skin evenly and effectively.

3. Oily.

If your skin produces excess sebum year-round, you’re likely in the “oily” skin type group. One of the benefits of oily skin is that your skin’s natural oils protect and moisturize, naturally staving off fine lines and maintain elasticity longer. On the downside, oily skin is acne-prone, and excess oil can easily lead to breakouts. Make sure you have a good exfoliating non-comedogenic toner or serum to keep your pores clear. The ideal skin-care products for this skin type are oil-free. Excess oil can oftentimes leave pores congested and clogged. The happy news however is that oily skin looks younger and more supple because it has more natural moisture and is less prone to wrinkle. Daily enzymatic exfoliation is essential to promote cell turnover and prevent sebum buildup in pores. A gentle physical exfoliator (that does not use abrasives such as crushed nuts or seeds that can cause tiny tears in the dermis) is also useful for balancing the tone and texture of your skin. Oilier skin is also prone to PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), a condition which leaves dark spots on the skin after a breakout has healed. Exfoliation will also help lighten these dark spots by polishing away the uppermost layers of skin and revealing new cells. Those with moderate to severe acneic breakouts should consider using an exfoliator that includes anti-bacterial ingredients to speed healing and prevent future blemishes.

4. Combination.

As the name implies, combination skin has oily and dry characteristics. For example, some people have an oily T-zone—the forehead and nose—and dryness on their cheeks; others may have dehydrated skin that’s also breakout-prone. Learning the skincare requirements for every part of your face can help you address issues most optimally. For example, if you identify that your cheeks are prone to dryness, you can address this issue by moisturizing them during your daily routine.

People with combination skin often experience dryness on the cheeks, making it important to find a moisturizer that is not too heavy but one substantial enough to retain moisture where needed most. Those with combination skin are not prone to breakouts on their cheeks, and tend to have a well-moisturized t-zone. Gentle, daily exfoliation is also important to keep the t-zone and cheek areas balances. Moisturizers with a gel-like texture are absorbed more quickly and less likely to cause breakouts. Start with a small amount and increase as needed to avoid over-moisturizing and stressing the skin.

Difference Between Normal Skin and Sensitive Skin?

In addition to the four basic skin types, your skin can also range from normal to sensitive:

• Normal skin is a term that describes well-balanced skin. Normal skin is generally more resilient to a wide variety of products, including products with chemicals, strong fragrances, or dyes.

• Sensitive skin is a term that describes skin that is more prone to negative reactions, redness, blemishes, or inflammation. While there are several diagnosable types of sensitive skin (like rosacea), most people with sensitive skin simply react stronger to certain products than those with normal skin. If you have a sensitive skin type, be especially careful about trying new products, especially when it comes to certain chemical products like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinol, which can cause irritation. Consider consulting a dermatologist to find out how to select the right products for sensitive skin.

Special Note for Sensitive Skin

Managing sensitive skin can be challenging, as it takes considerable time and effort to determine which ingredients cause inflammation and irritation. To make this process easier, introduce only one new formula or product at a time. This rule applies to both skincare and cosmetics. Patch testing a new formula on your inner forearm is an excellent way to minimize potential reactions on the face. If your skin shows no sign of flaring up, apply the formula to the area behind one of your ears before using it on your face.

• Look for labels that identify formulas as non-irritating and non-sensitizing and free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, sulfate detergents, phthalates, urea, DEA or TEA, as these ingredients can result in redness and itchiness.

HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TYPE

The most important step in caring for your skin comes in understanding your specific skin type and how it adapts to certain circumstances or seasonality. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, as complex and intelligent as your heart, lungs, liver and other vital organs. Using cleansers and treatments that are too harsh, even if they are recommended for excessive oiliness, may send the signal to your skin that more oil is actually needed. Conversely, applying moisturizers that are too thick or heavy can result in decreased natural oil production, resulting in even drier skin. Taking the time to learn your skin’s specific needs will help you to choose the right options that will balance skin resulting in a healthier, more radiant complexion.

Every person’s skin is unique, but there are a few common skin types that may help you to identify where you skin fits in the most. Here are two easy ways to determine your skin type at home:

Bare-faced Method

Cleanse your face thoroughly with a mild cleanser and gently pat dry. Leave skin bare (and do not apply any additional moisturizers, serums or treatments). After 30 minutes, examine your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead for any shine. After another 30 minutes, evaluate whether your skin feels parched, especially if you smile or make any other facial expressions. If your skin feels tight, your skin is likely dry. If there is noticeable shine on your nose and forehead, your skin is mostly likely combination. If there is shine on your cheeks in addition to your forehead and nose, you most likely have oily skin.

Blotting Sheet Method

This method is much faster and often an excellent differentiator between oily and dry skin types. Gently pat a blotting paper on the different areas of your face. Hold the sheet up to the light to determine how much oil is visible. If the sheet picked up little to no oil, you most likely have dry skin. If the blotting sheet reveals oil from the forehead and nose areas, your skin is combination. Finally, if the blotting paper is saturated with oil, it is extremely likely that you have oily skin.

Our skin’s needs can change over time, and taking steps to best identify its needs is essential for it to function and look its best. Keeping the health of your skin in mind and “checking in” regularly to determine whether any adjustments to your current ritual are needed will keep it balanced and beautiful.