Your Complete Guide to Identifying Your Skin Type Ultimately
Your skincare routine is as individual as you are, whether it consists of three steps or twelve. And what forms the basis of every routine? your type of skin (or at least, it should be). When you choose skincare and makeup products based on your skin type, you can keep your skin happy, healthy, and radiant for years to come.
However, how can you tell what type of skin you have? What goods are the most appropriate for it once you have? These questions have answers, as well as others. Whether you have dry, oily, combination, normal, or sensitive skin, keep reading for your comprehensive guide to identifying and taking care of your skin type, featuring advice from dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, of New York City, and esthetician René de la Garza, of Los Angeles.
Which of the Common Skin Types Exist?
Dry versus greasy is only the start. Despite the fact that every person’s skin is different, dermatologists and skincare specialists use five main skin types to diagnose patients and recommend skincare routines. Where does your skin land? Find out here.
Normal Skin Type
According to Dr. Zeichner, “normal skin is not extremely oily, dry, or sensitive.” Because normal skin is not readily irritated or flaky, and because it doesn’t get greasy or too glossy, it may require the least amount of maintenance of all skin types. It’s vital to remember that normal in this context means neutral more than usual. If your skin doesn’t match this description, don’t panic; regular skin isn’t as widespread as the name might imply.
Oily Skin Type
On the other hand, this skin type is characterized by high levels of oil (also known as sebum) production in the pores, making oily skin a more realistic description. The skin could feel oily or thick. According to Dr. Zeichner, makeup may be more challenging to apply and may not last as long. Additionally, and perhaps most notoriously, the doctor notes that “those with oily skin are frequently more prone to acne breakouts.”
Dry Skin Type
These skin types truly live up to their names. Dry skin underproduces sebum, whereas oily skin overproduces it, drying the skin as a result. According to Dr. Zeichner, dry skin “quickly forms flakes and often seems dull” and may feel tight or even uncomfortable. Age-related moisture loss in our skin makes dryness more prevalent.
Combination Skin Type
Due to the makeup of our faces, this skin type includes the traits of both dry and oily skin, as you may have imagined. Because there are so many oil glands in the T-zone, which consists of the forehead, nose, and chin, those areas tend to be oilier. On the other hand, the cheeks could be normal or even dry,” says Dr. Zeichner. Combination skin types might make maintaining good skincare a little more difficult, but not impossible. Look for balanced products as well as items like face masks that can be used to target particular regions of the face.
Sensitive Skin Type
According to Dr. Zeichner, sensitive skin is especially vulnerable to discomfort from skincare products. “The skin frequently appears red or blushes quickly.” You probably have sensitive skin if you’ve been diagnosed with rosacea or another skin ailment. If you haven’t but these responses sound familiar to you, think about switching to kinder formulations or seeing your dermatologist for more detailed advice.
Can the type of your skin alter?
In your teens and 20s, you may be certain of your skin type, but all of a sudden, BOOM, the same skincare products stop functioning and your skin starts to feel out of balance. Do not worry; there is a significant likelihood that your skin type did alter and you were unaware of it. According to de la Garza, hormones, food, stress levels, and environmental aggressors all have a direct impact on the skin of your face. If you relocate to a dry area from a humid one, you can also notice changes. Age has a significant impact on how our skin feels since skin also loses moisture as we age.
Although it’s important to be aware of skin types, de la Garza continues, “it’s best to address skin concerns and how your skin is currently feeling on a daily basis.” Thoughtfully consider your skin tone, but be aware that it may change as you age.
How to Choose the Right Skin Type:
Launder and Hold
Fun fact: Your skin type may be determined by simply washing your face. Use this strategy: Use a gentle cleanser, such as NEOGEN DERMALOGY Coconut Milk Pure Mild Cleanser, to rinse your face first. Wait at least 30 minutes, or even up to several hours if you have the time, before using moisturizer or any other skin products. Then, take a look at your skin, paying close attention to your cheekbones and T-zone in particular. Your skin may be dry if it feels tight; it may also be oily if it appears glossy. possess both shine and tightness? Your skin type is probably mixed.
Remove It
One part of your face should be lightly pressed with a piece of blotting paper. The trick is this: To simply keep track of which area of your face produces the most oil, use a different blotting sheet for each zone of your face.
Analyze the blotting papers after wiping your entire face. You most likely have normal skin if the blotting papers you used on one area of your face, particularly your T-zone, have a significant level of oil there but little oil elsewhere. You probably have mixed skin if the oily parts of the blotting paper are substantially discolored. You probably have dry skin if none of the blotting sheets are stained or are only faintly discolored. You most likely have oily skin if each piece of blotting paper has dark or saturated areas.
Observe how your skin responds to gentle pressure as well. If your skin is dehydrated, you can usually tell. According to de la Garza, if you gently push your finger over the cheek area and see “micro crepey” tiny lines (which should not be confused with wrinkles), this is a sign of how dry the skin is.
Pay attention to your skin’s sensations all day long.
Even while it may seem simple, one of the greatest ways to identify your skin type is to actually pay close attention to it. For example, you can think you have oily skin because you get shiny, but you actually have some dry spots.
It’s also crucial to remember that skin isn’t exactly known for its consistency, so even though you might be prone to dryness in the winter, your complexion might change dramatically in the summer. Recording these observations will be beneficial to you in the long run, as well as to your dermatologist.
Examine your pores closely
According to de la Garza, the size of your pores may reveal your skin type. According to him, larger pores typically indicate that the skin is more naturally oily in that location. A real oily skin type will have huge pores all over the face, whereas a dry skin type would have smaller pores and a mixed skin type will mostly have pores in the T-zone.
The Best Products: Normal Skin for Your Skin Type
When it comes to establishing a skincare routine, having regular skin has its advantages. According to Dr. Zeichner, “If your skin is normal, then your skin can handle nearly any sort of cleanser.” “Personal preference truly dictates the cleaner of choice. Nearly all cleansers, including creams, gels, oils, and foams, are effective and well tolerated on skin with typical skin. Although having so many options might be daunting, great power also comes with great responsibility. Find the ideal skincare regimen for you with the help of this practical guide.
Normal Skin
Look for cleansers with a clay, foam, or gel base to help control that extra oil. According to Dr. Zeichner, a cleanser works better at removing oil when it lathers up on the skin. The dermatologist advises looking for alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic or mandelic acids, among the components. Or, “If you have a history of acne, seek for a cleanser with salicylic acid. This beta hydroxy acid (BHA) aids in removing oil and dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. Stick to oil-free varieties of moisturizing serums and moisturizers.
The main component of ESSENHERB Tea Tree Foam Cleanser is tea tree oil, which has inherent antibacterial qualities. We adore how the creamy, foamy texture cleanses skin without drying it out.
Dry Skin
Finding a means to cleanse dry skin without removing what little moisture is present is crucial. Cleansers that are in the form of cream or don’t lather up aid in rehydrating the body. Dr. Zeichner explains that they “provide moisturizing while they eliminate debris from the skin.” A favorite in the Ipster neighborhood? One reviewer praised GLOW RECIPE Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser for leaving skin “so smooth and nourished.”
In order to assist dry skin retain moisture, De la Garza loves to add hyaluronic acid, such as that found in IS CLINICAL Hydra-CooL Serum.
Combined Skin
Just keep the term “balance” in mind. According to Dr. Zeichner, the objective when treating mixed skin is to remove oil without causing irritation to the dry areas of the face. Avoid extremes in ingredient and formulation choices that are suitable for just one kind of skin but not another. Salicylic acid, for instance, may be beneficial if you have skin that is prone to acne but may be too harsh for dry skin. Micellar water can be ineffective on oily skin, but it’s helpful for dry, sensitive skin.
Fortunately, there are solutions created specifically for the ups and downs of mixed skin. The best balance cleansers are effective at treating oily spots while being soft enough to treat dryness. We adore GLAMGLOW TROPICALCLEANSETM Daily Exfoliating Cleanser because it works to soften and smooth skin while being gentle enough to use every day.
Sensitive Skin
For people with sensitive skin, cleansing is frequently the phase that causes them the most irritation; however, once you locate the correct product, this won’t be the case. According to Dr. Zeichner, I usually suggest fragrance-free, extremely gentle cleansers like micellar water for people with sensitive skin. Try IT COSMETICS Confidence in a Cleanser if you prefer a classic cleanser that is sulfate- and soap-free. The “beautiful healthy glow” it leaves behind can be attributed to the hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, and ceramides (an Ipster’s words, not ours). We advise performing a patch test on the inside of your arm before using any new products to ensure that you won’t have an adverse reaction.
