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 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
  • 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
  • 20% off
    Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Sheet Mask (25ml); Korean skincare at Skinsider Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Sheet Mask (25ml); Korean cosmetic at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    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...

    products.retail_price £2.70
    products.price_was £2.70
    products.price_now £2.16
  • 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
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Centella Asiatica Calming Mask

    Beauty of Joseon Centella Asiatica Calming Mask focuses on the most basic and essential functions of skincare products: hydration and soothing and calming the skin. This sheet mask contains 15% of Centella Asiatica extract which is one of the amazing...

    £2.80
  • 20% off
    Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask; Korean skincare at Skinsider Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask; Korean sheet mask at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    Klairs

    Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask 25ml

    The Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask has been upgraded. It consists of ceramides to enhance skin barriers. The most important features of the mask are: Strengthen the skin barrier to areas with irritation. The soothing sheet mask contains 5...

    products.retail_price £2.70
    products.price_was £2.70
    products.price_now £2.16
  • 20% off
    Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner  Korean skincare at Skinsider Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner  Korean skincare at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    Klairs

    Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner 180ml

    The Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner is a lightweight, moisturizing toner for all skin types, specifically oily and sensitive. Now, this beauty is available in a renewed and eco-friendly packaging! It is fragrance-free and made without...

    products.retail_price £20.10
    products.price_was £20.10
    products.price_now £16.08
  • 20% off
    Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil ; Korean skincare at Skinsider Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil ; Korean face cleanser at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    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...

    products.retail_price £20.90
    products.price_was £20.90
    products.price_now £16.72
  • 20% off
    Klaris Midnight Blue Calming Cream 60ml; Kroean skincare at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    Klairs

    Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream - 60ml

    A comforting moisturiser that provides intense, soothing hydration to the skin. The Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream helps to strengthen external barriers and calms extremely sensitive skin. Recovery creams, while providing hydration and moisture,...

    products.retail_price £28.50
    products.price_was £28.50
    products.price_now £22.80
  • 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
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Revive eye serum: Ginseng + Retinal

    Beauty of Joseon Revive eye serum : Ginseng + Retinal is an eye serum that helps to improve wrinkles on the sensitive skin around the eyes by combining ginseng extract and retinal. When we lack the protein that imparts elasticity to the dermal layer of...

    £17.00
  • 20% off
    Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream; Korean skincare at Skinsider Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream; texture Korean Moisturiser at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    Klairs

    Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream 80ml

    Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream is one of the most recognisable staple products within the Klairs skincare range. Now we are bringing this amazing product in a renewed version. This is a vegan-friendly cream and was formulated for sensitive skin. It...

    products.retail_price £24.00
    products.price_was £24.00
    products.price_now £19.20
  • Benton

    Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Mask Pack 23g

    Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Mask Pack is a perfect solution for red and irritated skin. It is a hypoallergenic, slightly-acidic mask sheet soothes problematic skin while delivering hydration and nutrition. The hero ingredient of this sheet mask is...

    £2.90
  • 20% off
    Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream - 30ml; Korean skincare at Skinsider Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream - 30ml; Korean face cream at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    Klairs

    Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream - 30ml

    A comforting moisturiser that provides intense, soothing hydration to the skin. The Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream helps to strengthen external barriers and calms extremely sensitive skin. Recovery creams, while providing hydration and moisture,...

    products.retail_price £22.30
    products.price_was £22.30
    products.price_now £17.84
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camilia

    Introducing the Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick, developed in collaboration with influencer and cosmetic chemist Ramón @glowbyramon. This sun stick goes beyond the traditional outdoor sunscreen, making it an essential part of your daily skincare...

    £19.50
  • SKIN1004

    SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum 50ml

    SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum is a non-nano chemical sunscreen that blocks UV rays, while simultaneously hydrating the skin. It leaves the skin with a moisturized, dewy finish. This Korean sun cream contains Hyalu-Cica...

    £18.00
  • 20% off
    Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner (180ml); Korean skincare at Skinsider Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner (180ml); Korean cosmetic at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    Klairs

    Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner (180ml)

    Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner is an award-winning Facial Toner. Now, this amazing toner is available in a renewed and eco-friendly packaging! The toner removes excess dirt, sebum and any remaining impurities left after cleansing. It is...

    products.retail_price £20.10
    products.price_was £20.10
    products.price_now £16.08
  • Benton

    Benton Aloe Soothing Mask Pack (23g)

    Benton Aloe Soothing Mask Pack give an amazing and soothing effect. The sheet mask soothes and revitalizes easily irritated, lackluster skin. At the same time, it fully hydrates the skin. The essence of the Benton Aloe Soothing Mask Pack is packed with...

    £2.80
  • Pyunkang Yul

    Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner

    Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner immediately cools down the thirsty and irritated skin giving it necessary refreshing boost. The toner has only 5 ingredients in the formula. It focuses on plant-based ingredients with effective medicinal benefits. Barberry...

    £9.50 - £14.50
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ 50ml

    Introducing the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum an innovative serum formula that provides both sun protection and skin care without the typical disadvantages of sunscreen. Beauty of Joseon harnessed the power of ginseng, a key ingredient in...

    £17.50