How to identify your skin type

​All skin types can benefit from daily cleansing and moisturizing, but different skin types—which include oily, dry, normal, combination, and sensitive skin—have different needs. That’s why understanding your skin type is the first step in properly caring for it. But how do you know what type of skin you have? The answer can be found through simple observation.

Your skin type is based on the amount of sebum (oil) your skin produces. Skin’s oiliness can change over time and may also be influenced by factors such as stress, genetics, hormones, humidity, and the natural aging process.

Oily skin

Oily skin produces an excess of sebum that causes the skin to appear shiny and feel greasy—especially throughout the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). People with oily skin may tend to have less wrinkles, but they may also be more prone to enlarged pores, acne blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads. Supporting oily skin comes down to choosing the right products that nourish and hydrate, without clogging your pores or triggering breakouts.

Dry skin

Dry skin generally produces less natural oils than other types of skin. This may cause it to appear dull and become rough, flaky, or even scaly. It often feels tight or less elastic, noticeably dehydrated, and may be prone to showing more visible fine lines. In addition, it may become itchy or irritated. A skincare routine for dry skin should include gentle, soothing, and hydrating ingredients that help maintain the skin’s protective moisture barrier.

Normal skin

Normal skin is balanced—feeling neither too dry nor too oily. It is not prone to breakouts, flakiness, or feeling greasy or tight. However, despite the fact that normal skin doesn’t have any specific issues or concerns, it still requires proper skincare to look and feel its best. The ideal normal skin routine helps maintain your skin’s hydration by locking in moisture and supporting your skin’s protective barrier.

Combination skin

Combination skin includes areas that are dry as well as oily—with the T-zone commonly being oily, and the cheeks being either dry or normal. This skin type can vary during different seasons of the year, and due to various factors, such as stress or hormone fluctuation. Effective cleansing and hydration are key to care for skin that's oily or normal in some places and dry in others.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is often referred to as a skin type, but it’s possible to have oily sensitive skin, dry sensitive skin, or normal sensitive skin. Regardless of which type of skin you have, if you have sensitive skin, it may appear red and feel like it's burning, itching, or dry. If you have sensitive skin, you may be able to determine what triggers your sensitivity and avoid cleansers, moisturizers, or other products containing those specific ingredients.
 

Sources: CeraVE