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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

  • Benton

    Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Gel

    Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Gel was designed for sensitive skin that suffers from unwanted redness. With a non-sticky texture, the formula absorbs into the skin quickly. It gives a natural finish and makes skin feel soothed and comforted. Benton...

    £20.00
  • Real Barrier

    Real Barrier Cicarelief Serum (40ml)

    Real Barrier CicaRelief Serum helps diminish the appearance of post-acne scars and spots or hyperpigmentation caused by trouble-prone skin as a result of environmental stresses. I t helps in the recovery of healthier-looking skin. Moisture-rich, silky...

    £22.00
  • MISSHA

    Missha All Around Safe Block Waterproof Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++

    Missha All Around Safe Block Waterproof Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++ is a fast-absorbing and water-resistant sun cream which provides broad-spectrum protection. This K-Beauty sunscreen is a hybrid of a chemical and physical sun cream. Guava leaf extract and...

    £21.00
  • Isntree

    Isntree Green Tea Fresh Emulsion

    Isntree Green Tea Fresh Emulsion is mainly formulated with Green Tea Extract, Propanediol, and natural extracts such as Ginkgo Tree Leaf Extract, Asiatic Pennywort Extract, and Blueberry Extract.  From Jeju Island, the Green Tea is...

    £17.50
  • iUNIK

    iUNIK Rose Galactomyces Essential Toner (200 ml)

    iUNIK Rose Galactomyces Essential Toner is a moisturizing toner can help the (sensitive) skin to rebalance and soften with rose water (70%) and galactomyces (10%). The toner protects, hydrates, exfoliates, vitalizes the skin and controls oil production...

    £15.50
  • Some By Mi

    Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum

    Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum is a brightening serum infused with 3% pure ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and 75% galactomyces ferment filtrate. In addition to its brightening benefits, galactomyces is also known to moisturize, smooth skin...

    £19.00
  • Benton

    Benton Fermentation Essence (100ml)

    Benton Fermentation Essence will allow you to step up your anti-ageing game. This product can be used immediately after cleansing as it is a highly concentrated formula packed with skin-healthy nutrients. These will instantly hydrate and prep your skin...

    £25.00
  • Aromatica

    Aromatica Organic Aloe Vera Gel

    Aromatica Organic Aloe Vera Gel is a vegan-friendly, organic aloe vera gel that provides powerful skin-soothing formula. 95% Organic Aloe Vera Gel quickly calms angry and irritated skin. Apply on the skin that has been damaged by the external...

    £10.00
  • LAGOM

    Lagom Cellus Revive Essence Toner - 25ml

    Lagom Cellus Revive Essence Toner is one of those multi-taskers you want to have in your skin routine. You will love it as it provides hydration & moisture, and also firms the skin in one go. Lagom Cellus Revive Essence Toner provides Double Firming...

    £5.00
  • Pyunkang Yul

    Pyunkang Yul Oil 26ml

    Pyunkang Yul Oil is a lightweight facial oil that keeps skin looking youthful and radiant. It provides antioxidant protection with a powerful blend of plant-based oils.  The cocktail of ingredients contains jojoba seed, sunflower, geranium and...

    £18.00
  • Some By Mi

    Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask

    Some by Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask is a cleansing mask which absorbs excess sebum, releases the dirt in the pores and tightens them. It also tackles blackheads for a clearer and brighter skin. The Korean wash-off mask improves cell metabolism,...

    £17.00
  • Mixsoon

    MIXSOON Soondy Centella Asiatica Essence 100ml

    Introducing Mixsoon Soondy Centella Asiatica - the solution for irritated and troubled skin! Formulated with 100% Centella Asiatica Extract, this essence boasts strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively reducing redness and...

    £25.00
  • SKIN1004

    SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella HYALU-CICA Blue Serum

    The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum is a highly hydrating serum that also soothes and brightens the skin.  Filled with five types of hyaluronic acid and cica from Madagascar, this serum moisturizes and calms skin. Nano-sized...

    £14.00 - £20.00
  • MARY & MAY

    Mary & May Houttuynia Cordata + Tea Tree Cleansing Foam

    Mary&May Houttuynia Cordata + Tea Tree Cleansing Foam contains 40.7% Houttuynia Cordata and 6.8% Tea Tree extract, Creamy facial cleanser for pore cleasing and trouble care. The cleanser infused with 40.7% Houttuynia Cordata and 6.8% Tea Tree...

    £12.00
  • Mixsoon

    MIXSOON Centella Mask Pack 25g

    Indulge in the ultimate skincare experience with MIXSOON's Centella Mask Pack! This lightweight and refreshing sheet mask is specially formulated to soothe and deeply moisturize sensitive skin. Its thin, transparent design perfectly adheres to your skin,...

    £2.80
  • Haruharu Wonder

    HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Soft Peeling Gel

    HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Soft Peeling Gel is a non-irritating gel type exfoliator that contains 100% fermented Korean grown black rice extract that softly dissolves dead surface skin cells and makes flawless and pure skin. Black rice is rich in...

    £20.00
  • Numbuzin

    Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum 50ml

    Unlock the secret to flawless skin with Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum! This sought-after South Korean serum targets multiple concerns, leaving your skin soft, smooth, and radiant from within. Packed with niacinamide, squalane, and adenosine, it...

    £24.00
  • Real Barrier

    Real Barrier Cica Relief Cream (35g)

    This product is designed to calm irritated, itchy and red skin. Real Barrier Cica Relief Cream is an innovative and clinically tested cream which soothes, calms and helps skin recover from harmful external factors such as pollution, sunburns and free...

    £22.00
  • Benton

    Benton Good bye Redness Centella Spot Cream 15g

    Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Spot Cream contains fresh Centella Asiatica Extract, Tea Tree, and skin protecting Calamine. This spot cream cares for stressed spots, leaving skin healthy and clear. A healthy and natural recipe is excluding 20 harmful...

    £15.00