null
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 Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser (150ml)

    Formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid, COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser tackles breakouts. Tea tree oil helps fight blemishes and willow bark water and Saccharomyces ferment hydrate skin making it softer and more even. Salicylic Acid Daily...

    £12.00
  • Heimish

    Heimish All Clean Balm (120ml)

    Heimish All Clean Balm will bring your double cleansing routine to a brand new level.   It is a solid balm that transforms into a silky oil cleanser on the skin and then turns into a milky texture while rinsing. The soft and lightweight...

    £15.00
  • COSRX

    COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser

    COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser is a gentle cleanser with mildly acidic ph softly removes wastes and leaves skin hydrated all day long. It will protect your skin barrier and will not strip your skin from its natural oils. It's also formulated to...

    £14.00
  • Klairs

    Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser (100ml)

    Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser is an eco-friendly face wash which removes makeup residue, dead skin cells and blackheads. This cleanser is acid-balanced which means it will keep the skin moisturised even after cleansing. It contains low irritant...

    £15.50
  • Klairs

    Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil 150ml

    Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is packed full of nourishing vegetable oils. It is perfect for protecting and cleansing your skin whilst providing the hydration it needs. With its non-clogging pore formula, this product is a perfect first step in...

    £20.90
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm

    Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm is here with its renewed vegan-friendly version.  It is a cleansing balm that has a sherbert-like texture and gently melts away makeup, dirt, and excess oil without irritating or drying out skin. Powered by...

    £17.00
  • 20% off
    iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil; Korean skincare at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    iUNIK

    iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil

    iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil is a perfect solution for dull and dehydrated skin which requires soothing. This cleanser is using only 6 natural plant ingredients for healthy skin! This cleanser will allow your skin achieve oil-water balance and...

    products.retail_price £16.00
    products.price_was £16.00
    products.price_now £12.80
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil

    Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil helps remove waste from the skin through gently dissolving and emulsifying wastes. Glycine Soja oil is a base of the cleanser because it is very gentle and yet effective in removing skin dirt, sebum and makeup...

    £20.00
  • Heimish

    Heimish All Clean Green Foam pH 5.5 - 150g

    Heimish All Clean Green Foam is a low pH, gentle everyday cleanser. It is a cleansing gel that keeps skin's optimal pH balance and effectively removes impurities.  The amazing formula of the cleanser includes Centella Asiatica and witch hazel which...

    £12.00
  • Haruharu Wonder

    HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil

    Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil is a gentle, lightweight oil cleanser that will be a perfect first step in your double cleansing routine. An unscented, moisturizing and gently deep cleansing oil for everyday use. A non-irritating...

    £20.00
  • By Wishtrend

    By Wishtrend Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash 110g

    By Wishtrend Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash is now in a bigger 110g bottle. It cleanses and mildly exfoliates while leaving skin moisturised. Its main goal is to improve the skin's texture. Result? It provides sebum control and blackhead care. A...

    £22.00
  • Klairs

    Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil

    Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil is a daily cleansing oil with a light and spreadable texture. It easily melts away makeup, excessive sebum and quickly emulsifies to leave a fresh and hydrating finish. This daily, fragrance-free oil cleanser is a...

    £26.00
  • Pyunkang Yul

    Pyunkang Yul Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam 100ml

    Pyunkang Yul Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam is perfect for all skin types including sensitive skin. It cleanses deeply the skin without stripping it from its natural oils. It gently removes dirt, impurities and makeup. Pyunkang Yul Low pH Pore Deep...

    £12.50
  • COSRX

    COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser (150ml)

    COSRX AC Calming Foam Cleanser is a perfect daily cleanser that not only combats breakouts but also heals damaged skin. The creamy foam cleanser is formulated with Cosrx's unique CentellAC-Rx Complex which optimizes the natural regeneration of the skin...

    £18.00
  • Haruharu Wonder

    HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel

    Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel is a gently cleansing and balancing gel cleanser that uses soap-free, coconut-derived surfactants to remove dirt and oil from the skin's surface. Fermented black rice extract moisturizes and...

    £16.00
  • Pyunkang Yul

    Pyunkang Yul Cleansing Foam 150ml

    Pyunkang Yul Cleansing Foam is a gentle but very effective cleansing foam. It is made with Ledebouriella Seseloides extract that delivers highly effective cleansing with lots of delightful bubbles. Formulated with 16 ingredients, including Saposhnikovia...

    £14.00
  • PURITO

    PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil

    PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil is a gentle cleanser that contains only five oils derived from nature. It is excellent for removing heavy, oily makeup and sunscreen without irritation and stinging sensation. The hydrophilic oil emulsifies perfectly,...

    £21.00
  • 20% off
    iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam; Korean skincare at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    iUNIK

    iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam

    iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam is a mild acidic cleanser made from natural ingredients using 69% Centella Asiatica extract water 69% instead of purified water. It cleanses the wasted skin with soft foam and botanical moisturizing ingredients will...

    products.retail_price £15.00
    products.price_was £15.00
    products.price_now £12.00
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser

    Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser contains mung bean extract and plum water, a natural herbal ingredient, and helps remove dead skin cells and sebum. It gives the skin a fresh feel while also keeping it moist and healthy. This is a light...

    £13.00