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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
