Understanding Your Skin Type

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When it comes to caring for your skin, the very FIRST thing you need to have a good grasp of is the type of skin that you have. Most products and treatments are geared toward a specific type, so knowing yours will help you select the right ingredients/treatments for your face.

There are technically four skin types:

  • Oily
  • Dry
  • Combination
  • Normal (this one is the technicality, because really, what's "normal?")
Here are the characteristics of each:

Oily

THIS is the one I know most about because it's the one I've been dealing with my entire life. (OK, really since about the age of 12. Before that, I knew nothing about a T-Zone or a breakout). Oily skin is classified as one that overproduces sebum (your skin's natural oil) and is prone to looking shiny and feeling slick or greasy. This is also the skin type that's most likely to be acne-prone, as the oil can get trapped in the pores, causing a breakout. 

Dry 

This skin type is the opposite of oily, meaning that it doesn't produce enough sebum, and thus lacks the ability to retain moisture and build a protective shield against external influences. This skin type can be sensitive, red, and prone to itchiness because of the lack of moisture. 

Combination

Combination skin is exactly what its name suggests - the mix between Oily and Dry skin. Most often, the skin is oily in the T-Zone, the area of your forehead and nose that form a "T" shape, and the cheeks and chin are prone to dryness. This is probably the most difficult skin type to care for, as one area of your face may need different treatments/products than another. 

Normal 

According to an article on Byrdie, this skin type is a real thing and there are real (albeit rare) people who have it. Products aimed at this skin type are meant for skin that has few to no blemishes, minimally visible pores, and balanced hydration levels. So if your skin doesn't have any of the above-mentioned characteristics, congratulations! You are one of the unicorns! (Kidding!...kind of.)

How to find out YOUR skin type 

Cleanse your face with a gentle face wash, then don't add anything to it. Wait for about 30 minutes and then look in the mirror to see what happens. Review the characteristics of each skin type and compare what you see in the mirror and voila, you have your answer!



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