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Skin Types

Skin Types

Understanding your skin type and its specific needs is crucial for creating effective skin routines. There are four main skin types, including oily skin, combination skin, normal skin, and dry skin. 

However, that is not all. Every skin can also have conditions which usually are triggered by external factors and can be seasonal. One of the most frequent skin concerns are sensitive skin, acne-prone skin and dullness.

Going back to your skin type, it can change as you age. With mostly oily skin in your teens to dry skin as you mature. Hormones and genetics are playing the main role in your skin type. Hence, as you age, it is crucial to know what your skin type is and how to correctly identify it.

Want to know more? Keep on reading as our K-Beauty skincare experts at Skinsider can help you with identifying your skin type and suitable products for your needs.

Why it is important to know your skin type?

By correctly identifying your skin type, you will be able to create a personal skincare routine which will help you achieve your skincare goals with minimum effort. Healthy skin is a happy skin and it boosts confidence.

What skin type do I have?

If you’re wondering what your specific skin type is, and how to correctly identify it, we have an answer here for you. First do a short test at home.

It will allow you to understand what kind of skin you have by just observing how your skin behaves after cleansing. Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser. Then gently pat it dry. If after 30 minutes:

  • your skin appears shiny, you probably have oily skin.
  • your skin feels tight and is flaky, you have dry skin. 
  • your skin is shiny only in your T-Zone, you  have combination skin.
  • your skin feels comfortable, but not oily, you have normal skin.

Combination skin

This is probably the most common skin type. If you have combination skin it means that different parts of your face have different needs and therefore need a different approach to skincare. Usually, a combination skin type has oily and blemish-prone skin on the T-Zone and normal to dry skin around the cheeks.

Going into further analysis, the main features of combination skin are:

  • Shiny or even greasy skin with enlarged pores on T-zone.
  • More prominent blackheads on your T-zone, especially nose.
  • Normal to dry skin in other areas of your skin.

Read more tips on combination skin types and shop Korean skincare for combination skin here.

Oily skin

Oily skin usually presents itself in a form of shiny face. It is blemish-prone as it produces more sebum that it needs. Blackheads, white heads, cystic acne usually go hand in hand with oily skin.

The main features of oily skin are:

  • Shiny and greasy skin around your face.
  • Enlarged pores around the nose.
  • Easily develops blemishes.

If you would like to explore more about the oily skin, check out Top Skincare Tips for Oily Skin.

Ready to shop? Check our K-beauty products for oily skin.

Normal skin

Normal skin may seem to be the least demanding skin type out of them all. Your skin is neither too dry nor too oily. And yes, we will allow ourselves to say that: If your skin is normal, it means you are lucky, as your skin may have some imperfections and like every skin it has its needs. However, your focus should be on keeping skin balanced and hydrated at minimum effort.

The main features of normal skin are:

  • Skin texture tends to be even, without dry patches or oiliness.
  • Pores are not enlarged.
  • The T-Zone can become oily or dry depending on external factors but at the same time it can be managed easily with small tweaks in your routine.

Get Skinsider in-depth overview on cult K-beauty brands and shop Korean cosmetics for normal skin.

Dry skin

Itchy, flaky, patchy skin? These are the symptoms of dry skin. They are created by a lack of moisture and natural lipids in your skin. Dry skin can become sore if aggravated. Over time dry skin feels tighter but is losing its elasticity. This means the skin is becoming dull and can age faster. Replenishing the skin and bringing moisture to the deeper layers of the skin are crucial in rebuilding the natural skin barrier.

The main features of dry skin are:

  • Feels tight and itchy.
  • Can be rough and flaky.
  • Dullness.

Shop K-Beauty products for dry skin.

Dry vs dehydrated skin

Did you know that your skin may not be dry but dehydrated? Yes, you heard us right, dehydrated skin does not have to be dry.

Looking to learn more about one of the biggest misconceptions in skincare? Discover Skinsider in-depth analysis of "The Difference Between Dry & Dehydrated Skin" here.

We hope you have found this guide helpful. If you are looking to create a bespoke skincare routine for your oily, combination, normal or dry skin type ask a question to our skincare experts. 

Ready to explore more? Shop Korean skincare products for all skin type at Skinsider

  • COSRX

    COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

    COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch protects a wounded or troubled area from getting worse and maintains the humidity of skin to prevent further breakouts. The product contains one sheet of patches with 24 patches. These little thin clear hydrocolloid...

    £4.30
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++

    Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++ is a chemical sunscreen that applies gently on the skin. It contains skin calming and brightening ingredients and therefore allows sensitive skin types to use it with ease as well.A lightweight...

    £16.00
  • COSRX

    COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA+++ (50ml)

    Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ is a perfect daily sunscreen with multiple benefits. It protects skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with SPF50+ PA+++. In addition, it also provides long-lasting hydration without sticky residue or white cast. Cosrx...

    £14.00
  • COSRX

    COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence 100ml

    COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is a lightweight, quick-absorbing formula designed to improve skin tone and texture.  This product will bring a youthful glow to your skin by addressing the needs of maturing skin. Infused with 96%...

    £24.00
  • COSRX

    COSRX AC Collection Acne Patch

    The AC Collection Acne Patch is an oval shaped, highly adhesive acne patch suitable for covering several adjacent acne spots at once. These hydrocolloid patches infused with Centella Asiatica soothe and calm inflammation in acne, reduce chances of...

    £5.55
  • Pyunkang Yul

    Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

    Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is a perfect product to rebalance your skin after cleansing. It contains the Milk Vetch Root Extract, the toner has the revitalizing and reinvigorating properties. Created by the Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic in...

    £9.50 - £16.00
  • COSRX

    COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch

    COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch is a set of amazing patches that tackle breakouts. The Cosrx Clear Fit Master Patch is a clear hydrocolloid patch which when directly applied on a breakout/ pimple sticks to your skin and absorbs sebum. It fights...

    £4.00
  • By Wishtrend

    By Wishtrend Natural Vitamin 21.5% Enhancing Sheet Mask 23ml

    By Wishtrend Natural Vitamin 21.5% Enhancing Sheet Mask is a unique sheet mask. It contains 11% of Vitamin C and 10.5% of Vitamin E. It was designed to enhance the effect of Vitamin C serum. This extraordinary sheet mask contains 23ml of essence which...

    £2.70
  • Klairs

    Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop (35ml)

    Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is an amazing Vitamin C serum which is gentle enough for sensitive skin. It contains 5% Vitamin C and is an innovative multi-solution, a non-irritating formula which revitalises, maintains, and transforms your skin...

    £21.00
  • Klairs

    Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Sheet Mask 25ml

      The Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Sheet Mask provides a cooling effect to calm heat-irritated and inflamed skin. The mask contains cooling ingredients to lower skin temperature. It contains soothing and calming Tea Tree Leaf Oil which makes...

    £2.70
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water

    Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water is a  refreshing, nourishing toner enriched with Hanbang(traditional Korean herbal medicine) ingredients for smoother and revitalized skin. The essence toner contains 80% of Ginseng root water. The complex...

    £16.00