What Skin Type Do You Have?

Before you can really know how to work with and support your skin, you need to know what skin type you have. Because yes, there are different skin types. Everyone’s skin is different! 

That’s why you can buy a product that someone raved about on TikTok and not see the same results. That product might have been great for their skin but not so great for yours. 

When you know your skin type, you can take better care of your skin now and in the future. 

Let’s Breakdown the Skin Types 

Don’t know your skin type? Don’t worry about it; you’re about to find out: 

Dry Skin Type

Dry skin is often tight and can sometimes have noticeable flakes. Usually, if your skin is dry, it’s dry across your whole face, not just in certain areas. Dry skin can also be really sensitive and itchy.

Dry skin can be caused by environmental factors, genetics, or a chronic condition like eczema. 

Dehydrated skin vs. dry skin

Dry skin isn’t always dehydrated skin (and vice versa). Dry skin happens when there’s not enough oil in your skin. So you want to use really rich moisturizers, nourishing masks, and avoid super harsh products (anything with alcohol as an ingredient is a no) that will further dry out your skin. 

Dehydrated skin happens when your skin struggles to retain moisture. If your skin is dehydrated, you want to make sure you’re drinking a lot of water and using water-based products to restore some of the moisture your skin has lost.

Proper skin hydration is key to keeping your face clean and healthy!

Combination Skin

Combination skin can be tricky because this skin type has multiple things going on in different areas of your face. Usually, people with combination skin experience normal, dry, or dehydrated skin in their cheeks and have oily skin in their T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). 

If you have combination skin, it’s important to find a moisturizer that gets the job done but isn’t overkill. You’ll also want to stay away from alcohol-based products as well. Spot treatments and toners (we’ve got some that are balancing, brightening, clarifying, hydrating) can help to balance out your skin. 

Oily Skin

Oily skin produces a lot of oil. This oil often causes the skin to feel greasy and appear shiny in the T-zone. People with oily skin might have bigger pores and be prone to breakouts.

Oily skin can seem like a hassle, but it has its perks — like fewer wrinkles as you age. If you have oily skin, you’re probably no stranger to blotting papers. Just make sure you’re not over-washing or trying too hard to dry your face out, as your skin will likely just produce more oil. 

When it comes to an oily skin routine, you want to avoid products that are going to clog your pores. So, no mineral oil, petroleum jelly, or alcohol-based products. Keep your eyes peeled for non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores) products in this skincare cabinet. Oil-free moisturizers, clay masks, and gentle exfoliants should be staples in a skincare routine for oily skin. 

Sensitive Skin

Most people think that sensitive skin is a skin type in and of itself, but you actually can have dry and sensitive skin, oily and sensitive skin, or normal and sensitive skin. 

If you have sensitive skin, your skin might sting or burn after using certain skincare products, not love fragrances in products, flush or be red, or be prone to patches of dry, flaky skin. 

For people with sensitive skin, it's important to try and figure out what products and ingredients your skin likes and doesn’t like. You’ll probably want to use more gentle cleansers and look for products with healing, calming, or anti-inflammatory ingredients. 

Normal Skin

Normal skin is usually pretty balanced. It doesn’t feel dry or oily. It’s not super sensitive. And it doesn’t really break out or get flaky. 

Normal skin can tolerate most ingredients which means it can handle lots of experimenting with skincare and beauty products and doesn’t react to changes in environment or routine as strongly. 

Let us be clear, just because you have normal skin doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of your skin. You should still give your skin some love through a simple skincare routine.

How Do I Find Out What Type of Skin I Have? 

There are two really easy ways to find out what type of skin you have from the comfort of your room!

Method One: The Bare Face Method 

Wash your face with your usual cleanser and gently pat it dry. Leave your skin as it is. Don’t put on any moisturizers, serums, or treatments. Set a timer for 30 minutes. After the timer goes off, you’re going to check your skin. Examine your whole face for any shine. Then set another timer for 30 minutes. After that goes off, check and see if your skin feels thirsty (especially if you smile or make any facial expressions). 

If your skin feels tight, you’ve probably got dry skin. If there’s noticeable shine on your nose, forehead, and chin, you’ve probably got combination skin. If there’s shine all over your face, you probably have oily skin. 

Method Two: The Blotting Sheet Method 

This method is much faster and will for sure help you figure out if you have oily or dry skin. You’re going to gently pat some blotting papers on the different areas of your face. When you’re done blotting, hold the sheet up to the light to see how much oil is on the sheet. 

If the paper picked up little to no oil, you probably have dry skin. If the blotting sheet shows oil from your forehead, nose, or chin, your skin is probably combination. And if the paper is full of oil, then you likely have oily skin. 

Now that you know the skin types, how to figure out which skin type you have, and what products to use or avoid based on your skin type, you’re ready to build a routine full of skincare products that actually work for you.