What is my Skin Type?
Understanding your skin type is key to better skincare. But how do you determine what skin type you have? and why does it matter?
By identifying your skin type, you can tailor your skincare routine to maintain a healthy skin barrier, helping you avoid irritation, breakouts or an imbalanced complexion. Using the wrong products can have negative effects, so it’s essential to learn about your skin to care for it properly. Let’s break it down:
Common Skin Types
Your skin type is based on how much oil and moisture your skin produces, but it can change over time due to things like weather, stress, or skincare products. No matter your skin type, anyone can be acne-prone. The main skin types include:
Oily Skin
If your skin gets shiny fast and you deal with clogged pores or breakouts, you likely have oily skin. Excess oil can be triggered by stress, humidity, or hormones.
Dry Skin
Dry skin lacks moisture, often feeling tight, rough, or flaky. A weakened skin barrier, harsh products, or cold weather can cause it.
Combination Skin Type
Combination skin has both oily and dry areas, with an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and drier cheeks. It may show redness in dry spots and shine in oilier areas.
Hormonal changes, stress, and skincare routines can influence it.
Normal/Neutral Skin
Normal skin is well-balanced, with an even tone, stable oil and moisture levels, and minimal irritation. Genetics, sun protection, and a good skincare routine help maintain it.
What is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin isn’t a skin type but rather a skin concern.
Normal skin is well-balanced, with an even tone, stable oil and moisture levels, and minimal irritation. Genetics, sun protection, and a good skincare routine help maintain it.
How To Know Your Skin Type
Not sure which category you fit into? Here are a few simple methods to help identify your skin type:
Visit a skin specialist
A professional skin assessment can provide the most accurate diagnosis. Skin specialists can examine your skin’s hydration and oil levels and recommend suitable treatments or products.
Bare Face Method
- Washing face with a gentle cleanser.
- Pat dry with a soft towel.
- Wait for 30min to an hour.
- Observing changes.
Results:
- Flaky, rough, or tight-feeling skin signals that you have dry skin.
- If your skin appears shiny all over, you likely have oily skin.
- If you notice shine only around your T-zone, you probably have combination skin.
- Lastly, if your skin feels hydrated and doesn’t appear dry or oily anywhere, you likely have normal skin.
Blotting Sheet Test
- Identifying oil-prone areas like T-zone.
- Washing face with a gentle cleanser.
- Pat dry with a soft towel.
- Wait for 30min to an hour.
- Hold the sheets up to the light.
Results:
- Excess oil on all sheets suggests oily skin.
- If they absorbed little to no oil, then you likely have dry skin.
- Sheets that pick up oil only from your T-zone signify combination skin.
- And, if you see minimal oil from every area of your face, you most likely have normal skin.
Skincare Tips Based on Skin Type
Once you know your skin type, you can tailor a skincare routine that suits your needs. While everyone’s routine is unique, these general guidelines can help you choose the right products for your skin type:
Oily Skin
- Use oil-free, lightweight moisturisers.
- Gentle exfoliants to keep pores clear.
- Niacinamide to regulate oil, hyaluronic acid for hydration.
- Lightweight, oil-free, mattifying sunscreen (gel or water-based).
Dry Skin
- Gentle, fragrance-free cleansers
- Rich, hydrating moisturisers with ceramides and glycerin
- Apply moisturiser immediately after cleansing
- Cream or lotion-based sunscreens for deep nourishment
Combination Skin Type
- Gentle cleanser and a mix of gel and cream-based moisturisers
- Hydrating creams on dry areas, lightweight formulas on oily zones
- Control T-zone shine with blotting papers
- Balanced, lightweight sunscreen with gel cream or lotion formula featuring hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and antioxidants
Normal Skin
- Use gentle, non-comedogenic cleansers.
- Hydrate with ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
- Moisturise after cleansing to maintain skin balance.
What if I have sensitive skin?
If you have sensitive skin, opt for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products. Introduce new skincare gradually to monitor reactions, and choose soothing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile.
Standard routine steps:
Morning:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Serum
- Moisturiser
- Sunscreen
Night:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Serum
- Moisturiser
You can also customise it by adding exfoliants (2-3 times a week) or targeted treatments as needed.
Skin Type and Early Signs of Skin Cancer
Knowing your skin type is essential for general skincare, but it’s also crucial for skin cancer prevention. Regardless of your skin type, always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen, seek shade when possible, and wear protective clothing to reduce UV exposure.
The ABCDE guidelines are an essential tool for identifying potential concerns:
A: Asymmetry – When one half of a mole or spot differs from the other.
B: Border – Irregular, uneven, or jagged edges.
C: Colour – Moles with multiple colours or uneven pigmentation.
D: Diameter – Moles larger than 6 millimetres in diameter.
E: Evolution – Any noticeable changes in size, shape, or colour over time.
Mole mapping and skin monitoring can also help track changes in moles or unusual spots. If you notice any persistent changes, book a skin check as soon as possible.
Read more about mole mapping.
Conclusion
By recognising your skin’s needs and choosing the right products, you can keep your complexion looking its best while protecting it from long-term damage. If you ever have concerns about your skin’s health, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice and schedule regular skin checks. Our skin specialists are ready to help you!