When it comes to skincare, we all have a type. A skin type, that is.
Your skin type is something you are born with and is what determines the default composition and appearance of your skin. Your skin type, which is influenced by genetics, affects the size of your pores, the amount of oil your skin produces, as well as which products and ingredients will work best to treat it. While your skin will change over time depending upon external factors such as environment, lifestyle and age, these things will influence your skin’s condition, rather than your skin type. Aging, acne, dehydration and sensitivity are all examples of conditions that can be present alongside your existing skin type.
Because it is very important to know your skin type for your skincare to work as intended, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about skin types.
How To Determine Your Skin Type
Not sure what type you are? The best way is to take a close up look and consider the following:
- How much water is in your skin? Does it feel tight to the touch? Or flexible and elastic?
- How oily is your skin? Oil affects its softness, so smoother skin will have more oil.
- How sensitive is your skin? Does it react strongly to certain products or triggers? • What size are your pores? Are they large? Small? Or a mixture of both?
Next, once you’ve determined these things, you can see which of these types best describes your skin.
The Skin Types
Normal Skin
If you have a normal skin type, this means your skin is neither too oily or too dry. Normal skin features smaller, consistently sized pores covering your entire face and few imperfections. Most people with normal skin do not experience skin sensitivities and often have a radiant, healthy complexion.
Combination Skin
Just as it sounds, combination skin refers to skin that is a mixture of both dry and oily. Combination skin is characterized by larger pores through the t-zone (nose, forehead, and chin) and smaller pores elsewhere. Blackheads and breakouts are also common.
Oily Skin
Oily skin types experience overall more oil production naturally, and as a result oily skin has larger pores covering the entire face. Typical symptoms of oily skin are a shiny or greasy appearance, large pores, skin that looks thick or rough, pimples (occasional or persistent), clogged pores, and blackheads. Chances are that if you suffer from dry skin, you also have sensitive skin.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is characterized by small, barely-there pores, which produce very little in the way of natural oils, leading to dry skin. Typical symptoms are a tight and rough feeling, especially after a shower. Your complexion is full or rough and your skin feels tight.
Sensitive Skin
Those with sensitive skin are generally more reactive to soaps, detergents, dyes, and fragrances in topical products, and using the wrong ones can result in itchiness, dryness, and reddening. Chances are that if you suffer from dry skin, you also have sensitive skin. So, if you take care of your dry skin and use gentle ingredients, your issue should be solved quite easily.
It’s important to note that dry skin differs from dehydrated skin, which is a condition resulting from lack of water in the epidermis. All skin types can experience dehydration, but dry skin is an actual genetic skin type.
What to Look for in Your Skincare
So now that you’ve got a pretty good idea of what skin type you are working with, you might be wondering which products will work best to address your skin type and concerns. Here are a few helpful things to know:
For Normal Skin:
- Wash your face 1-2x per day or any time you sweat a lot.
- Keep skin moisturized with hydrating products, to avoid dehydration.
- Avoid harsh scrubbing or very hot water while bathing or showering.
- Avoid products for acne or oily skin, as these products may be too stripping.
For Combination Skin:
- Wash your face 1-2x per day or any time you sweat a lot.
- Use a gentle daily cleanser and only use an active cleanser a few times per week.
- With combination skin, hydration is still very important, so don’t skimp on moisturizer.
- Shop for products labeled “balancing” as these products are designed to hydrate dry skin while also combating excess oil.
For Oily Skin:
- Wash your face twice a day and any time you sweat a lot.
- Use a gentle daily cleanser and only use an active cleanser a few times per week.
- Don't pick, pop, or extract your own pimples. They'll only take longer to heal, and picking can spread bacteria, making matters worse.
- Look for the words "non comedogenic" on your skin care products and cosmetics. This means a product is designed not to clog pores.
For Dry Skin:
- Take shorter showers and baths using only mild, gentle soaps or cleansers
- Avoid harsh scrubbing or very hot water while bathing or showering.
- Go for an intensive moisturizer right after cleansing and reapply as needed throughout the day.
- Use a humidifier, and avoid letting indoor temperatures get excessively hot.
- Look for the words “hydrating” or “moisturizing” for your products and cosmetics.
For Sensitive Skin:
- Avoid harsh astringents and exfoliants.
- Use mild, gentle cleansers (not soaps or scrubs) and products that generally maintain and nourish your skin barrier.
- Gently pat yourself dry after a shower (instead of rubbing) and apply skincare right away.
- Washing too often will irritate sensitive skin and cause excessive dryness.
- Test new products on a discreet area of skin at least one day before trying a full application.
Other Important Things to Know
As you may have guessed by now, beautiful skin doesn’t require magic or a miracle. You just need to stay informed. Because your skin’s condition can fluctuate, it’s important to check in regularly and choose the right products accordingly. However, with just a little time, commitment, and a proper routine, you’ll be well on your way to glowing skin for life.
