Dry, oily or combination? How to figure out your skin type
Shopping for skincare can feel like a bit of a minefield, with hundreds of different products on the shelves, each with their own claims. How do you know what’s right for you?
Understanding your skin type is the foundation – it tells you what kind of ingredients to look for in products. So, if you’re not sure, this guide will help figure out yours.
Identifying your skin type
Each skin type has its own unique characteristics. You may have been experiencing some of these, wondering why others don’t have the same issues or, similarly, why the same face cream seems to have different effects on others.
Not just that, your skin type may have changed over time, depending on factors such as age, hormones, stress and others. It can also be affected by lifestyle choices and everyday habits, such as not drinking enough water or having overly hot showers.
The best way to figure it out is by examining your skin at its most natural state. This means washing your skin thoroughly and not applying any product to it afterwards. Leave your skin for a good few hours and then have a look at it, especially paying attention to your T-zone (across your forehead as well as around your nose and chin).
Key characteristics
Now that you’re examining your skin, what exactly should you be looking at? Here are the key characteristics in each skin type:
Oily skin
If you have oily skin, there usually will be a noticeable shine or grease across your face, particularly in the T-zone. Your pores may appear quite large and prominent to acne or blackheads. Additionally, if you wear make-up, it tends to slip off your face throughout the day, requiring constant touch ups.
Dry skin
Dry skin is the complete opposite – you may notice some flakiness or general patches of dryness. Your face may look dull or feel rough to touch. If it’s very dry, you may even feel discomfort on your face, as if your skin is a size too small for it.
Combination skin
Many people have a mix of both dryness and oiliness on their face. Generally, with combination skin you will likely have greasiness in your T-zone, but your cheeks or jaw line might be on the dryer side. This type is perhaps the most tricky to distinguish.
Normal skin
If your skin feels comfortable and balanced, showing none of the above characteristics (not too oily, not too dry), then congratulations – you have normal skin! It’s by far the easiest to look after, as most products will work on you just fine.
A note on sensitive skin
While technically not one of the “types”, sensitive skin is important to note, as it will significantly impact what you look for in a face cream. You may have a normal skin type, but it tends to react badly to the wrong products. For instance, certain moisturisers or make up products may cause redness, itchiness, burning or dryness on your skin. If that’s the case, you will need to pick your skincare carefully, choosing products designed specifically for sensitive skin, avoiding harsh chemicals or fragrances.
All skin types need care!
Regardless of your type, skincare is non-negotiable. It may seem counterintuitive to moisturise an oily skin, but it can actually help regulate it and reduce breakouts. The same goes for other skin types. The key here, however, is finding the right products for your unique needs, so they help you reach the healthiest results.