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

  • 20% off
    Benton Deep Green Tea Lotion (120ml); Korean skincare at Skinsider Benton Deep Green Tea Lotion (120ml); Korean face toner at Skinsider
    Out of stock

    Benton

    Benton Deep Green Tea Lotion (120ml)

    Benton Deep Green Tea Lotion is a lightweight moisturiser which balances oil levels in your skin. This lotion contains over 50% of fresh green tea from Boseong. It melts into the skin and keeps it relaxed and hydrated. Deeply brewed Green Tea, Centella...

    products.retail_price £18.00
    products.price_was £18.00
    products.price_now £14.40
  • 25% off
    Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream; Korean face cream at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    Benton

    Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream

    Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream will hydrate, soothe, and improve the skin's texture. It is infused with K-Beauty's best-kept beauty secret, Snail Filtrate Secretion, and a cocktail of Bee Venom, EGF and Hyaluronic Acid. Snail Filtrate...

    products.retail_price £20.00
    products.price_was £20.00
    products.price_now £15.00
  • ATOPALM

    ATOPALM MLE Cream 65ml

    ATOPALM MLE Cream is rich moisturizing cream that is suitable for face and body care.  ATOPALM is the no. 1 sensitive skincare brand in Korea 15 years in a row. Their cosmetics are a blend of cutting-edge Korean skin barrier science with biotech...

    £25.00
  • Real Barrier

    Real Barrier Aqua Soothing Toner

    Real Barrier Aqua Soothing Toner is designed for overheated and flushed skin. The perfect companion product to Aqua Soothing Gel Cream. Use to prime the skin, refresh, calm and cool it. A hydrating toner with a low pH, that gently helps improve and...

    £19.00
  • 20% off
    AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen 50ml; Korean face sun cream AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen 50ml; Korean skincare product
    Add to Cart

    AXIS-Y

    AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ 50ml

    Introducing the AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen, the ultimate solution for your skin's sun protection needs. Infused with Mugwort, this sunscreen features 2% Niacinamide and Squalane that work together to protect your skin from harmful UVA...

    products.retail_price £20.50
    products.price_was £20.50
    products.price_now £16.40
  • SKIN1004

    SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Light

    SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Sun cream Light SPF30 PA++++ is a non-nano physical sunscreen that blocks UV rays, while simultaneously brightening the skin. This all-year-round must have is lightweight on the skin and protects against wrinkles...

    £16.00
  • iUNIK

    iUNIK Centella Mild Cleasing Foam

    iUnik Centella Mild Cleansing Foam is a mild cleansing foam infused with 49.9% Centella Asiatica Extract to remove impurities without causing irritation and 0.2% salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells and excess sebum. The Centella Mild Cleansing...

    £14.00
  • URANG

    URANG Cactus Oasis Cream (50ml)

    URANG Cactus Oasis Cream Cream is a lightweight and skin-strengthening moisturiser. It uses organic Korean cactus extract to promote cell turnover and to strengthen the moisture barrier with calcium, amino acids, polyphenol, and flavonoids. Ceramide NP...

    £38.00
  • Benton

    Benton Snail Bee High Content Lotion (120ml)

    Benton Snail Bee High Content Lotion is formulated with snail secretion filtrate to help rebuild skin and help fade dark spots. In addition, hyaluronic acid replenishes your skin's moisture level with deep hydration while bee venom works to boost...

    £20.00
  • 30% off
    LAGOM Cellus Mist Toner; Korean mist toner LAGOM Cellus Mist Toner; K-beauty face toner
    Add to Cart

    LAGOM

    LAGOM Cellus Mist Toner

    Lagom Cellus Mist Toner is a moisturizing toner that blocks harmful environmental factors and controls pH levels. Aqualicia® essential water features moisture-boosting effects. Lagom Cellus Mist Toner in a form of a mist keeps the skin at the...

    products.retail_price £20.00
    products.price_was £20.00
    products.price_now £14.00
  • PURITO

    PURITO BHA Dead Skin Moisture Gel

    Purito BHA Dead Skin Moisture Gel is your new solution to keep your oily skin balanced and under control. It contains 2% of Betaine Salicylate, which is an oil-soluble exfoliant that removes impurities and sebum inside the pores. It contains tea tree...

    £17.50
  • Real Barrier

    Real Barrier Essence Mist (100ml)

    Real Barrier Essence Mist is a lightweight mist which helps to calm irritated, dry skin. Its quick absorbing properties contain hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid which holds up to 1000 times its weight in water, delivering hydration that lasts for up to...

    £17.00
  • 25% off
    Heimish Black Tea Mask Pack; Korean sleeping mask Heimish Black Tea Mask Pack 110ml- texture of Korean Sleeping pack
    Add to Cart

    Heimish

    Heimish Black Tea Mask Pack 110ml

    The Heimish Black Tea Mask Pack is a wash-off mask that hydrates and cools tired and irritated skin. In addition, it is firming your skin for a dewy glow. Infused with black tea, aloe and Centella Asiatica, this mask delivers a quick 5-minute treatment...

    products.retail_price £19.00
    products.price_was £19.00
    products.price_now £14.25
  • 25% off
    MARY & MAY Houttuynia Cordata  Tea Tree Serum; Korean face serum MARY & MAY Houttuynia Cordata Tea Tree Serum; skincare serum
    Add to Cart

    MARY & MAY

    Mary & May Houttuynia Cordata +Tea Tree Serum

    MARY & MAY Houttuynia Cordata +Tea Tree Serum is a serum infused with 85% Houttuynia Cordata Extract and 9.7% Tea Tree Extract to refine pores and soothe troubled skin with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.  Minimalisting yet...

    products.retail_price £15.50
    products.price_was £15.50
    products.price_now £11.62
  • 25% off
    Mary & May Lemon Niacinamide Glow Wash off Pack; Korean wash- off mask Mary & May Lemon Niacinamide Glow Wash off Pack; Korean skincare
    Add to Cart

    MARY & MAY

    Mary & May Lemon Niacinamide Glow Wash off Pack

    Mary&May Lemon Niacinamide Glow Wash Off Pack is a premium clay pack with excellent balance that enables you to achieve results as if you had received spa care at home. It is blending ground natural raw materials into mineral-rich clay the most...

    products.retail_price £22.00
    products.price_was £22.00
    products.price_now £16.50
  • SKIN1004

    SKIN1004 Zombie Pack & Activator Kit

    Unleash your undead glow with SKIN1004 Zombie Pack - the ultimate skin-tightening and revitalizing face pack! Now with a new and improved formula, featuring propolis and botanical extracts for ultimate moisturizing and antibacterial benefits. Among hero...

    £20.00
  • 25% off
    HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Essence; Korean skin essence HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Essence; Korean face essence
    Add to Cart

    Haruharu Wonder

    HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Essence

    Haru Haru Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Essence is an amazing anti-ageing treatment for combination to oily skin types.    Fermented black rice is the star ingredient of this lightweight essence that leaves skin soft and fresh with zero sticky...

    products.retail_price £22.00
    products.price_was £22.00
    products.price_now £16.50
  • 25% off
    Benton Air Fit UV Defense Sun Cream; Korean sunscreen Benton Air Fit UV Defense Sun Cream; Korean sunscreen
    Add to Cart

    Benton

    Benton Air Fit UV Defense Sun Cream

    Benton Air Fit UV Defense Sun Cream  is an EWG green grade certified sunscreen that quickly and effectively protects you from harmful UV rays all year round. Containing a powerful fusion of Centella Asiatica, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate...

    products.retail_price £20.50
    products.price_was £20.50
    products.price_now £15.37
  • SKIN1004

    SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Plus

    SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Plus is a non-nano physical sunscreen that blocks UV rays, while simultaneously brightening the skin. This sunscreen can be worn all year long without feeling heavy or leaving a white cast. In addition to UV...

    £16.00
  • Etude House

    Etude House Soon Jung PH 5.5 Relief Toner 350ml

    Etude House Soon Jung PH 5.5 Relief Toner uses 97% naturally derived ingredients and has a low pH of 5.5 to keep skin balanced and hydrated throughout the day. Free of potential irritants like fragrance, artificial color, and parabens, this toner is...

    £28.00