How to Determine Your Skin Type
We all know how important it is to find the correct skincare routine that actually works – But this skincare routine looks different for everyone and the key is determining your skin type.
To determine your skin type you will need to do a bare-faced trial: cleanse your skin with a mild cleanser and then gently pat dry. Let 60 minutes go by and then evaluate your complexion.
Dry Skin:
Does your skin feel tight or uncomfortable when you smile? If so, you probably have a dry skin. Dry skin feels very tight if you dint moisturize it within an hour of cleansing. Usually the skin around the eyes and mouth will feel very tight and uncomfortable. You might also experience flakiness, due to the lack of oil in the skin. It is recommended that you use products with sodium hyaluronate or hyaluronic acid, which are both humectants.
Sensitive Skin:
Is your skin red? You most likely have sensitive skin. You might be more prone to a skin condition like rosacea, have extra sensitivity to the sun, or react to certain topical products. If you have sensitive skin you want to avoid products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinoids – As they can be aggravating and irritating for the skin.
Combination Skin:
Is your nose and/or forehead looking glossy while your cheeks and jawline feel a little tight? You might have combination skin. Combination skin usually refers to skin that gets a little oily in the T-zone area and dry on other areas of the face. With combination skin you should spot-treat. Use a gentle cleanser and use proper products to treat spots accordingly.
Oily Skin:
Are your cheeks shiny too? That is a good indicator of an oily skin type. Oily skin tends to get congested easily due to thicker oil that can get trapped below the follicle and is unable to come to the surface. Clogged pores can also make your skin acne prone. Exfoliating and using salicylic acid products can help you keep your oily skin in check.
Normal Skin:
Does your skin feel clean and comfortable with minimal shine? If so, your skin falls into normal skin type category. If you have normal skin, you more likely won’t get too dry, oily or sensitive reaction to products and you wont breakout as much. Normal skin types have a great balance of oil and moisture, usually feeling pretty neutral. Those with normal skin usually have smaller-looking pores than those with oily skin.
