The first step to embracing better skincare is knowing your skin type. Remember that everyone’s skin is unique. Having a proper understanding of this can effectively help you find the right solutions for your skin’s needs.
If you’re unsure how to identify your skin type, the guide below will help you out.
Table of Contents
The Five Skin Types
There are five primary skin types: oily, dry, combination, normal, and sensitive. Here are their qualities and how they differ:
Oily
Oily skin refers to having excess oil throughout your skin. If you have oily skin, you’ll notice your skin always feels greasy and looks shiny. You’ll find that your skin would not easily absorb makeup and skincare products, and you’re prone to breakouts and blemishes.
Dry
Dry skin is the opposite of oily skin. Here, there is a lack of oil and moisture in the skin, resulting in roughness and flakiness. You may also notice cracks or tightness in your skin surface that leads to itchiness and irritation.
Combination
Combination skin is a blend between oily and dry in different areas. For example, the majority of your face may be oily, but only your cheeks appear dry.
For this type, the key is balance. It’s best to avoid alcohol-based products as it has the same ingredients as the oily and dry type. On the other hand, you can apply balancing creams or toner to even out the skin areas.
Normal
Normal skin is the best type of skin to have because of its balance—not too oily nor too dry. The most prominent attribute of this type is the firmness of the skin. Thus, it’s not prone to flakiness or breakouts and doesn’t often experience negative effects when trying out new products.
Sensitive
The cause of having sensitive skin widely varies, from environmental factors, allergies, or genetics. Some of its characterizations are visible redness, dryness, and flakiness. But its signs may not always be visible. People with this skin type must be careful with trying out products because of the risk of negative reactions. Always remember that less is more when it comes to skincare.
Methods of Identifying Your Skin Type
Now that you know the different skin types, it’s time to learn how to identify yours. Here are two methods of determining your skin type:
Barefaced Method
Start by washing your face thoroughly with a mild cleanser and gently dry it with a soft towel. Leave it bare without applying any skincare product. After 30 minutes, observe how your skin looks and feels.
If it appears shiny, you might have oily skin. Meanwhile, if it feels tight, you might have dry skin. If there is a noticeable mix of oiliness and dryness, you might have a combination skin type.
Blotting Sheet Method
Another method is using a clean blotting sheet on different spots of your face. This method is best for identifying between oily and dry types. After patting the blotting sheet, hold it up to see the amount of oil absorbed.
Depending on how much or how little the oil is in the sheet, you may have oily or dry skin. Or, if there is moderate oil from the forehead and nose, you might have either normal or combination skin.
Take Care of Your Skin!
Your skin’s needs depend on your skin type. You can’t just grab any face creams, lotions, and oils, and blindly trust that they will work for you. Make sure to take the time to identify your skin type and work towards taking better care of your skin.
