Determining Skin Type

Before you ever start a skin care regimen, you should know your skin type. This will help you add the right products to your daily routine. Once you have determined the type, it will be much easier to buy products and/or treat certain conditions that may occur. Generally, skin falls into five categories: combination, dry, normal, oily, and sensitive.

The Skin Type Test

If you do not already know your type, it is easy to determine it. Simply wipe your face in the morning as soon as you get up with a clean tissue. You should use a separate tissue for your nose, forehead, and cheeks to make the best determination. Below, we will walk you through what to look for on the tissue and provide more information about your skin type:

• Combination – much like it sounds, you will have different types on different parts of your face. The tissue from your cheeks should be dry, while the tissues from your nose and forehead (The T-Zone) will show traces of oil. You will need to use different products on these separate areas of your face to address both dry/normal and oily skin issues.

• Dry – all tissues should come back dry and possibly having some flakes of skin after wiping. You face may actually feel a little tighter as you have removed what little oil was there. Wrinkling is common for dry skin, as well as premature aging. It can also become irritated rather quickly. Moisturizers should be a big part of your normal regimen.

• Normal – after wiping, there will be no oily residue on the tissue, nor will your face feel tight. This type of skin presents the least amount of problems, is well hydrated, and is not prone to blemishes at all. A skin care routine is still recommended, but you may not have use as many “focused” products as individuals with other types of skin.

• Oily – your tissues should show some type of oily residue. This type of skin offers many different problems, most notably a tendency for acne. On the bright side, your skin is less prone to premature aging and wrinkling. You will want to avoid rich “creamy” types of skin care products.

• Sensitive – the tissue will come away dry, but your skin will probably feel agitated, tight, and possibly even show signs of inflammation. It would not be uncommon to feel “itchy” when exposed to course clothing materials. In other words, your skin reacts to just about anything that touches it. You will want to use allergen free products and may even consider consulting with a skin care professional to get the perfect match of products that will work specifically for you.

To see our recommended products for your skin type, click here.