People talk about skincare and start doing it without even knowing about their skin type…which is the first and basic part of starting with “good skincare”. When you actually get to know about your skin type , you start choosing products that your skin needs rather than wasting money on guessing products and buying them. No more random moisturizers, no more confusion, no more irritation.
Let’s make it simple for you to identify what suits for you.
Why your Skin type matters?
You can’t just rely on products which are for all skin types and that sometimes doesn’t even suit your skin and even irritate it and make it worse than ever. You have to choose products that particularly works for your skin. When I had zero knowledge about skincare , even I wasted money on products that are not even for my skin type. But I don’t want anyone else to repeat the same mistake I once did.
Your skin type decides:
- which cleansers won’t strip your natural oils.
- which moisturizer won’t be too oily for you and clog your pores
- which ingredients are needed for your skin
Skin Types:
There are no “perfect skin types” , everyone has their own skin type and it’s different , so let’s categorise them into 5 skin types:
- NORMAL: It is balanced and calm. It is not too oily or dry and not that dramatic.
- DRY: It becomes tight after washing and for some people it becomes flaky, so basically it loves moisture , so keep it moisturized.
- OILY: It is shiny especially in the afternoon and it has visible pores and sometimes hormonal acne is possible so handle with care.
- COMBINATION: It is oily for the T-zone and dry or normal on the cheeks.
- SENSITIVE: It is reactive, so much reactive. It may get red or irritated from the heat, fragrances or certain ingredients.
You might have found out by now that which is your skin type based on this but still many of you might be confused , so no worries , let’s test it properly.
Test 1: The Bare- Face Method
This is the method which I prefer and which is my favourite. Whenever my friends ask me how to find out their skin type , I always tell them this method.
- Firstly, Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
- And just after washing your face, don’t apply anything , no serum ,no toner, no moisturizer at all.
- Wait for sometime , maybe around 30 mins to an hour and just observe.
- Now, refer to below observations and check what’s your skin type, it’s that simple.
If your skin:
- feels tight or flaky -> DRY
- becomes shiny all over -> OILY
- becomes shiny in T-zone, normal cheeks -> COMBINATION
- looks balanced and feels good -> NORMAL
- has redness or stinging -> SENSITIVE
Test 2: The Blotting Sheet Method
Now, there’s another method to check out your skin type , in case you don’t know how to figure out if your cleanser comes under the gentle cleanser category.
- Firstly, take a blotting sheet/ tissue.
- Press it gently on your forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks.
Not sure which blotting sheets to buy? Here are a few options.
If the sheet/ tissue shows oil in:
- T-zone only : COMBINATION
- All zones : OILY
- Little to no oil : DRY or NORMAL
Warning about mistakes while performing this test:
- Don’t do the test right after waking up.
- Don’t do it in humid weather outdoors.
How Each Skin Type Feels Daily
As of now, I have given two tests to find out your skin type, but in generalised way too , you can find out your skin type. Here’s the daily reality of each type :-
DRY SKIN:
- feels tight in the morning when you wake up.
- it soaks up moisturizer instantly
- when you apply makeup, it clings to dry patches
OILY SKIN:
- it gets shiny by afternoon
- the pores look bigger near the nose and cheeks
- breakouts are common in humid weather
COMBINATION SKIN:
- oily forehead + nose
- normal/ dry cheeks
- needs “mixed” product types
NORMAL SKIN:
- balanced all day
- rarely irritated
- comfortable with light routines
SENSITIVE SKIN:
- reacts to weather changes
- stings with strong actives
- prefers fragrance – free, gentle textures. So, if you have sensitive skin then don’t ever go after products with fragrances.
Things That Can Change Your Skin Type
Now, let’s get to this interesting point that your skin type actually changes and it is not static .It actually responds to many factors such as:
- weather shifts
- hormonal changes
- stress
- medications
- dehydration
- barrier damage
So, it’s okay for your skin type to change with time – most do. And yes, you need to check your skin type every 3-4 months.
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Finding your skin type is the first step in building a skincare routine that feels good- not forced. So, take your time, listen to your skin, and be kind to it- always.
Want personalized routine breakdowns? Comment your skin type and concerns!