Proper skincare begins with thoroughly understanding your skin. Every skin type has different needs and reacts differently to cosmetics and environmental changes. If you don’t know your skin type, you might choose products that, instead of improving your skin, cause irritation, acne, or excessive dryness.
Benefits of knowing your skin type:
- You choose products that address the root cause of problems, not just mask the symptoms.
- You prolong your skin’s youthful appearance and health.
- You minimize the risk of irritation and worsening skin condition.
Identifying your skin type correctly is the foundation of any effective skincare routine.
How to determine your skin type at home – quick test
If you don’t want to visit a dermatologist right away, you can determine your skin type at home using simple methods. The best time is in the morning when your skin is rested, without makeup, and free from night care products.
1. “Clean face” method
- Wash your face with a gentle cleansing gel, rinse with lukewarm water, and pat dry with a towel.
- Do not apply creams, serums, or makeup.
- Wait 1 hour and observe:
- Tightness, flakiness → dry skin.
- Shine in the T-zone → oily or combination skin.
- Comfortable feeling without shine or dryness → normal skin.
Tip: Repeat this test in different seasons, as your skin type may change with the weather.
2. Blotting paper method
- Press blotting paper (or a soft tissue) onto your forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks.
- Hold it up to the light:
- Oil only in the T-zone → combination skin.
- Oil across the entire sheet → oily skin.
- Completely dry → dry skin.
This method is quick and accurate – even beauty salons use it.
The five basic skin types and their signs
- Normal skin
Signs: Balance between hydration and oil, smooth texture, minimal imperfections, supple and soft.
Care: Gentle cleansing, light moisturizer, daily SPF 30+.
- Dry skin
Signs: Tightness, flakiness, dull appearance, possible itchiness, smaller pores.
Care: Richer creams and oils (e.g., argan, avocado), gentle sulfate-free cleansers, hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid.
Note: Dry skin ages faster – it lacks a natural protective barrier.
- Oily skin
Signs: Shine a few hours after cleansing, enlarged pores, frequent acne and blackheads.
Care: Lightweight, oil-free gel textures, exfoliation with salicylic acid, oil-free SPF.
Myth: Oily skin doesn’t need hydration – it does, but in a light form.
- Combination skin
Signs: Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and dry or normal cheeks.
Care: Use different products for different areas – e.g., mattifying cream for the T-zone and nourishing cream for the cheeks.
Tip: Apply masks selectively (e.g., clay masks only on oily areas).
- Sensitive skin
Signs: Redness, burning, itching, quick reaction to new products or temperature changes.
Care: Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free products, gentle cleansing, SPF for sensitive skin.
Important: Sensitive skin can also be dry, oily, or combination – sensitivity is a condition, not a separate skin type.
How skin type can change
Your skin doesn’t stay the same throughout your life – its condition is affected by:
- Age (oil production decreases over time),
- Hormones (puberty, pregnancy, menopause),
- Seasons (drier in winter, oilier in summer),
- Lifestyle (diet, stress, sleep, smoking),
- Health conditions and medications.
It’s a good idea to repeat a skin type test at least once a year and adapt your routine to current needs.
Common myths about skin types
- “Oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer” – without hydration, it can produce even more oil.
- “Dry skin can’t get acne” – it can, if clogged with dead skin cells.
- “Skin type never changes” – it changes with age, hormones, and environment.
- “Normal skin doesn’t need special care” – it still requires protection and hydration.
Summary & practical tips
Knowing your skin type is the first step toward beautiful and healthy skin. Just a few simple tests can help you adjust your routine for maximum results.
Universal rules for all skin types:
- Gentle cleansing twice daily,
- Adequate hydration (form depending on skin type),
- Daily SPF 30+,
- Regular exfoliation for cell renewal.
Remember: Proper care begins with knowing what your skin truly needs.
