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

  • 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
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum

    Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum is here to provide you with glowing, radiant honey skin even for acne-prone skin. A honey-like serum is enriched with Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) ingredients which fight acne and reduce pores. Beauty of...

    £14.00
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Revive Serum

    Beauty of Joseon Revive serum is a renewed version of the Repair Serum. It is here to restore your complexion with its luxurious, silky texture enriched with traditional Korean herbal ingredients ('hanbang'). A light-weight, but nourishing serum...

    £14.00
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream

    Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream is a luxurious moisturiser that keeps skin plump and moisturised. It’s enriched with nourishing hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) ingredients like ginseng root extract,niacinamide and rice brown water and...

    £21.00 - £38.00
  • AXIS-Y

    AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum

    AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum is rich in several brighthing ingredients (like niacinamide and sea bucktorn) and will help to improve the overall complexion of the skin. As the packaging comes with a pump dispenser, the serum is easily to dose...

    £19.00
  • 20% off
    COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule (40ml); Korean skincare at Skinsider COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule (40ml); Korean skin ampoule at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    COSRX

    COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule

    COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule is an intensive caring ampoule with 83% of Black Bee Propolis Extract. In addition, naturally originated moisturizing ingredients will make your skin glowy and smooth without stickiness. This ampoule contains a...

    products.retail_price £21.50
    products.price_was £21.50
    products.price_now £17.20
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum

    Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum is a light-weight, hydrating serum enriched with Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) ingredients for skin brightening & anti-pigmentation. Its lightweight and watery texture are infused with 68% of Rice Bran...

    £14.00
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum

    Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum is enriched with naturally-derived calming & moisturizing ingredients. It contains 50% green tea leaf water, 30% Mugwort and 5% Panthenol. It is now in renewed version and vegan-friendly. The lightweight serum enriched...

    £14.00
  • 20% off
    iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum (50ml); Korean skincare at Skinsider iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum (50ml); Korean cosmetic at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    iUNIK

    iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum (50ml)

    This Tea Tree Relief serum contains 67% tea tree extract water and 19% centella extract which have strong soothing properties and will be perfect for troubled skin. Serum containing 67% tea tree extract and 19.5% centella extract helps soothe sensitive...

    products.retail_price £15.00
    products.price_was £15.00
    products.price_now £12.00
  • Klairs

    Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop (20ml)

    Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop is the fountain of youth in a bottle. This anti-ageing serum has been designed especially for sensitive skin and now is available with its updated formula. It's highly concentrated texture delays the ageing...

    £27.40
  • 20% off
    iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum (50 ml);Korean skincare at Skinsider iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum (50 ml);Korean skincare at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    iUNIK

    iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum (50 ml)

    iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum is a highly concentrated product with mucin of black snails to help your skin to restore and repair to make it more supple and smooth. 5 black super food are full of anti-oxidants to activate your body functions while...

    products.retail_price £15.50
    products.price_was £15.50
    products.price_now £12.40
  • Goodal

    Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Serum

    Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Serum is a gel-like serum packed with brightening and skin tone-evening benefits from 70% green tangerine extract, which is potent in natural vitamin C derivatives. Green tangerines contain up to 10x more vitamin C...

    £30.00
  • By Wishtrend

    By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum 30ml

    By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum is an award-winning highly concentrated Vitamin C serum with only ten ingredients for faster, more effective results. Its main purpose is to improve overall skin condition and restore suppleness...

    £27.50
  • Klairs

    Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum (80ml)

    Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum is a gentle serum with a concentrated yet light texture formula which is made of rich, hydrating ingredients. Therefore, by replenishing your skin's moisture levels, your skin will glow and look smoother and...

    £21.00
  • 20% off
    iUNIK Vitamin Propolis Synergy Serum (50ml); Korean skincare at Skinsider iUNIK Vitamin Propolis Synergy Serum (50ml); Korean skin serum at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    iUNIK

    iUNIK Vitamin Propolis Synergy Serum (50ml)

    The iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum is formulated with 70% Propolis extract to nourish and calm skin, and 12% Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit extract to brighten skin. The serum also provides strong anti-inflammatory effects to irritated skin types...

    products.retail_price £15.00
    products.price_was £15.00
    products.price_now £12.00
  • SKIN1004

    SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule

    SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule helps with the replenishing, soothing, softening and rejuvenating tired and irritated skin. Using 100% high-quality extracts from Centella Asiatica harvested in Madagascar, this serum offers intense hydration and...

    £13.00 - £25.00
  • LAGOM

    LAGOM Cellus Deep Moisture Cream (60ml)

    Lagom Cellus Deep Moisture Cream is a rich moisturizing cream. Now it is available in a bigger, 60ml jar. Bigger jar but the same price. It deeply hydrates the skin without clogging the pores and allowing it to breathe. In addition, it firms the skin,...

    £30.00
  • Klairs

    Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist 125ml

    Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist is a part of the fundamental line. It is a Green Tea Water based mist, formulated with rice, cucumbers, okra, and mugwort which is effective for intensive hydration and antioxidant care. With the premium formulation, the...

    £26.00
  • Pyunkang Yul

    Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule (100ml)

    Pyunkang Yul Moisture Ampoule calms, smoothens and destresses skin for a glowing complexion. It consists of only six ingredients including Coptis Japonica Root Extract. This powerful skin-calming and hydrating ingredient make up over 90% of this...

    £22.00
  • PURITO

    PURITO Pure Vitamin C Serum (60ml)

    Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum with 5% Ascorbic acid and 2% of niacinamide helps brighten the complexion and improve uneven skin tone. It helps fade the appearance of sun damage and hyperpigmentation while visibly addressing dullness and loss of firmness,...

    £18.00