Skin Type Basics: How to Identify Yours and Improve Your Routine

Understanding your skin type is crucial for making your skincare routine effective. If you’re using products not suited to your skin type—be it dry, oily, sensitive, normal, or combination—they won’t address your specific needs and might even worsen your skin issues. Here’s a detailed guide to help you figure out your skin type and take better care of your skin.

Different Skin Types

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), there are five main skin types: oily, dry, normal, combination, and sensitive. Each of these skin types has distinct characteristics and needs that impact the appearance and feel of your complexion. If you're unsure about your skin type, continue reading. We'll cover the essentials on how to determine your skin type and provide tips for selecting the best skincare products and routines for each type.

How to Determine Your Skin Type

The Bare-Faced Method is simple. First, wash your face gently and dry it. Then, wait for 30 minutes without putting anything on your skin. After that, pay attention to how your skin feels. If it feels tight and looks flaky, you probably have dry skin. If it looks shiny and feels oily, you have oily skin. If your forehead, nose, and chin are oily but your cheeks are dry or normal, you have combination skin. And if your skin feels just right, not too oily or too dry, you have normal skin.

Another way to figure out your skin type is the Blotting Sheet Method. Start by washing your face and drying it. Then, wait for 30 minutes. Next, press blotting sheets on different parts of your face. Look at the sheets against the light to see how much oil they absorbed. If they soaked up a lot of oil from everywhere on your face, you have oily skin. If there's hardly any oil, you have dry skin. If most of the oil is in your T-zone, you have combination skin. And if there's just a little oil from all over, you likely have normal skin.

For a more detailed analysis, you can try the Baumann Skin Type Indicator (BSTI), created by Dr. Leslie Baumann, a famous dermatologist. This tool goes beyond the basic skin types and considers factors like dryness, sensitivity, pigmentation, and oiliness. By answering a series of questions, you can find out your unique skin type and get personalized advice on how to care for your skin. This helps you choose the right products and treatments that work best for you.

Tailoring Your Routine

Oily Skin

Oily skin makes too much oil, which makes it look shiny and greasy, especially in the forehead, nose, and chin areas. Even though oily skin might not wrinkle as much, it's more likely to have big pores, acne, blackheads, and whiteheads.

Even though oily skin has too much oil, it still needs hydration. The trick is to pick products that give it moisture without blocking pores or making acne worse. So, use a gentle cleanser to clean off dirt and extra oil, and then a light, oil-free moisturizer to keep it hydrated.

Product Recommendations for Oily Skin:

• Neutrogena, Hydro Boost Gel Cream Moisturiser (50 ml)
• NEOGENLAB, Day Light Protection Airy Sunscreen (50 ml)

Explore our recommended products perfect for oily skin!

Dry Skin

Dry skin produces less natural oil, making it appear dull and feel rough, flaky, or scaly. It often feels tight or less elastic, and may show more visible fine lines. It can also become itchy or irritated.

A dry skin routine should include gentle, soothing, and hydrating ingredients that help maintain the skin’s protective moisture barrier. Avoid long, hot showers, and choose fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and alcohol-free products.

Product Recommendations for Dry Skin:

• COSRX, Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream (25 ml)
• Black Rice Hyaluronic Anti-Wrinkle Serum (50 ml)

Explore our recommended products to combat dry skin!

When to See a Doctor

If your skin remains dry, flaky, and tight despite regular moisturization, it’s time to consult a dermatologist. Persistent dryness may indicate underlying conditions like contact or atopic dermatitis, which require professional treatment. Additionally, dry skin is more susceptible to itchy conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, so seeking medical advice can help manage these issues effectively.

Normal Skin

Normal skin is balanced, feeling neither too dry nor too oily. It’s not prone to breakouts, flakiness, or feeling greasy or tight. People with normal skin typically have small pores, smooth texture, and fewer sensitivity or blemish issues. However, normal skin still needs proper care to maintain its health.

The ideal routine for normal skin helps retain moisture and supports the skin’s protective barrier.

Product Recommendations for Normal Skin:

• CeraVe, Hydrating Facial Cleanser (355 ml)
• The Ordinary,Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (30 ml)

Combination Skin

Combination skin has areas that are both dry and oily—typically, the T-zone is oily, while the cheeks are either dry or normal. This skin type can vary with seasons and factors like stress or hormonal changes.

Effective care for combination skin involves gentle cleansing and hydration suitable for both dry and oily areas. Use products that cater to these varied needs.

Product Recommendations for Combination Skin:

• Centella Toning Toner (210 ml)
• Dynasty Cream (50 ml)

Discover the perfect solutions for combination skin!

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin often appears red and feels like it's burning, itching, or dry. These symptoms may be triggered by certain ingredients like dyes or fragrances, or environmental factors.

If you have sensitive skin, avoid triggers and use gentle, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic products. Look for calming, anti-redness, and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Product Recommendations for Sensitive Skin:

• Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner (40 ml)
• Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50 (50 ml)

Find the best products suitable for sensitive skin here.

Why Knowing Your Skin Type is Important

Understanding your skin type is the first step in properly caring for it. Each skin type has unique characteristics and needs that impact your complexion. It involves being aware of its moisture levels, how it reacts in different environments, and its sensitivity. Proper care helps skin look and feel its best, and recognizing your unique skin type is essential for effective skincare.By knowing your skin type, you can:

• Choose the Right Products: Select products tailored to your skin type to avoid irritation and enhance effectiveness.
• Target Specific Issues: Address issues like acne, dryness, or sensitivity with specific solutions.
• Prevent Problems: Avoid using products that could worsen your skin issues.

Takeaway

Identifying your skin type is the first step to achieving healthy, youthful skin. Using the wrong skincare products can nullify your efforts and even create new issues. Understanding your skin type helps you select the right products, making a real difference in your skincare routine. Regularly reassessing your skin is crucial as it changes over time, ensuring that your skincare continues to benefit your skin.

Ready to find the perfect products for your skin type? Visit Ode to Beauty to explore our collection of skincare essentials tailored to every skin type. Feel free to drop in your questions below!