Asking yourself, ‘What is my skin type?’ is the first step to building a routine tailored to your needs.
We’ve all tried a highly recommended product and wondered why it didn’t deliver. More often than not, it comes down to the category your complexion falls into.
We’ll guide you through each one, so you can start choosing the right formulas for you.
How to Know Your Skin Type
So, how do you know your skin type?
Most people fall into one of five main categories: oily, dry, combination, sensitive, and what’s often called normal (a well-balanced base that isn’t overly shiny or lacking moisture).
To help you decode which kind you have, we’ve broken down the most common characteristics of each.
How to Tell if You Have Oily Skin?
Oily skin typically produces excess sebum, which may lead to a noticeable shine across the forehead, nose, and chin.
Some of the most common signs include:
Excessive shine
Visibly enlarged pores
Frequent blemishes
How to Tell if You Have Dry Skin
Dryness often occurs when moisture is lost too quickly, and this may be caused by climate, age, topical products, or even hot water.
If you’re wondering how to tell if you have dry skin, look out for these symptoms:
Rough or uneven patches
A tight or uncomfortable feeling
Flaking or peeling
How to Tell if You Have Combination Skin
Combination skin usually shows up as an oil-prone T-zone, with dryness around the cheeks or jawline.
You might also notice breakouts in some areas and clarity in others.
Common signs include:
A mix of oily and dry areas
A tight feeling in some places
- Affected by seasonal changes
How to Tell if You Have Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin tends to react more easily to internal or external irritants.
There are some signs that you might be struggling with this type, such as:
Irritation
Burning
Tingling
Dryness
How to Tell if You Have Normal Skin
A ‘normal’ skin type usually looks balanced and clear, without being too oily or too dry. It rarely shows signs of irritation or sensitivity.
If you fit this description, you might find that simple, gentle products work best.
How to Determine Your Skin Type
Once you’re familiar with the key characteristics, there are a couple of easy at-home tests that may help you work out what category you’re in.
Here’s how to tell what skin type you have:
Observe Your Skin After Cleansing
Start by washing your face with your favorite gentle cleanser, then leave it completely bare.
After around thirty minutes, take a closer look at how your complexion looks and feels. Dryness or oiliness across the whole surface usually indicates one of those skin types.
A mix of rough areas and a noticeable sheen elsewhere could be a sign of combination. Meanwhile, a calm, clarified appearance indicates a balanced, normal base.
The Blot Test
Take a tissue or blotting paper and gently press it onto areas like your forehead, nose, and cheeks.
If you notice oil across most of the sheet, that points to an oily complexion. If it stays mostly clean, you’re likely on the drier side. A mix of oil in some areas but not others suggests combination.
If there’s only a slight trace of oil and everything feels balanced, you may have a normal skin type.
Now that you know what your skin type is, you're ready to choose the right formulas and work towards a balanced, healthy-looking base.
Just found out you’re on the flakier side? Head over to our blog on How to Help Dry Skin for tips on maintaining a comfortable, healthy-looking base.
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