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 Hydrium Watery Toner

    COSRX Hydrium Watery Toner is a hydrating toner filled with vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid. It will make your skin dewy, glowing and hydrated. Vitamin B5 which is known as panthenol is the key ingredient of the Hydrium line. It has moisturizing,...

    £16.00
  • 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
  • Pyunkang Yul

    Pyunkang Yul Cleansing Foam 150ml

    Pyunkang Yul Cleansing Foam is a gentle but very effective cleansing foam. It is made with Ledebouriella Seseloides extract that delivers highly effective cleansing with lots of delightful bubbles. Formulated with 16 ingredients, including Saposhnikovia...

    £14.00
  • Klairs

    Klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream 40ml

    This illuminating smart colour BB cream is a multifunctional skincare and makeup product. It covers and evens the skin tone whilst protecting the skin from sunlight. Its creamy formula does not create dry patches or a cakey look. This amazing BB cream...

    £22.80
  • 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
  • PURITO

    PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil

    PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil is a gentle cleanser that contains only five oils derived from nature. It is excellent for removing heavy, oily makeup and sunscreen without irritation and stinging sensation. The hydrophilic oil emulsifies perfectly,...

    £21.00
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner: AHA + BHA

    Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA improves natural process of skin turn-over. It is a daily light and mild Korean skin toner that can wipe away dead skin cells and sebum in the pores.The main ingredient of this korean face toner...

    £15.00
  • iUNIK

    iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam

    iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam is a mild acidic cleanser made from natural ingredients using 69% Centella Asiatica extract water 69% instead of purified water. It cleanses the wasted skin with soft foam and botanical moisturizing ingredients will...

    £15.00
  • LAGOM

    LAGOM Cellus Sun Gel SPF50 PA+++ (40ml)

    LAGOM Cellus Sun Gel SPF50 PA+++ is now in its renewed version. A multi-functional cosmetic is providing sun protection, anti-ageing and anti-pigmentation properties. Now the formula was upgraded by a plant-derived Glutathione, which has an 8.5 times...

    £18.00
  • Some By Mi

    Some By Mi CLEAR SPOT PATCH

    The SOME BY MI Clear Spot Patch is a set of waterproof yet breathable hydrocolloid patches that flatten pimples by absoring pus and protecting the wound against bacterial infection. The spot patch is suitable for daytime use as it can be used under your...

    £5.00
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser

    Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser contains mung bean extract and plum water, a natural herbal ingredient, and helps remove dead skin cells and sebum. It gives the skin a fresh feel while also keeping it moist and healthy. This is a light...

    £13.00
  • Isntree

    Isntree Real Mugwort Clay Mask

    Isntree Real Mugwort Clay Mask is a wash-off mask that contains six types of clays including kaolin and bentonite to effectively absorb sebum. This moisturising non-drying Instree wash-off clay mask is a great solution for congested, oily, large pores...

    £20.00
  • Heimish

    Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF 50+ PA+++ (40ml)

    Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF 50+ PA+++ is a makeup primer and a hydrating sun cream in one. This product provides the skin with a makeup which hydrates the skin hydration, provides brightening effect and sun protection. The Heimish Artless Glow Base...

    £19.00
  • COSRX

    COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream

    COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream was created to provide cooling relief for heated angry skin. It is a gelly, cooling, non-oily gel-cream moisturizer that immerses skin in hydration. B5 which is known as panthenol is the key ingredient of...

    £23.00
  • PURITO

    PURITO Oat-in Calming Gel Cream

    PURITO Oat-in Calming Gel Cream is a refreshing gel cream with nourishing Avena Sativa (Oat) Seed Water instantly calms sensitive skin. The lightweight clear texture softly melts on the skin, easily seeping into its layers. PURITO Oat-in Calming Gel...

    £16.00
  • Some By Mi

    Some By Mi Tea Tree Calming Glow Luminous Ampoule Mask

    Some By Mi Tea Tree Calming Glow Luminous Ampoule Mask is a skin-soothing mask that immediately calms redness and inflammation while addressing an oily T-zone.   Although this mask is suited for all skin types, it is highly recommended for...

    £3.00
  • COSRX

    COSRX Refresh ABC Daily Toner (AHA BHA Vitamin C)

    COSRX Refresh ABC Daily Toner is a daily savior toner for dull skin. This patented rejuvenating toner contains AHA, BHA and Vitamin C to mildly exfoliate for soft and bright skin. Main features of the toner: GOLDEN-RX COMPLEX„¢ combined with AHA...

    £16.00
  • 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
  • Beauty of Joseon

    Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel

    Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel is a light and fast-absorbing gel cream perfect for oily skin. It has a light gel texture and is full of moisture which also minimizes the oily feeling. Red bean extract and 3 types of peptides, key ingredients in...

    £17.00
  • Rovectin

    Rovectin Calming Lotus Cream 60ml

    Rovectin Calming Lotus Cream 60ml is a lightweight and yet deeply hydrating face cream. It also helps to restore your skin by fortifying the natural barrier to keep moisture in and damaging toxins and pollutants out. Lotus water extractwhich makes up 75%...

    £20.00