How to Determine Your Skin Type
How to Determine Your Skin Type
2 min read
Find out how to determine your skin type with this easy at-home test.
In skincare, as in life, there are universal truths but no one-size-fits-all approach. For example, it’s true that everyone should wear sunscreen and cleanse their face every day, twice a day. And yet, two people using the exact same formula in either scenario are not necessarily going to require or experience the same results, even if they’re genetically related. Why? The answer is simple—skin types.
There are five basic skin types, and each person has one dominant type. These are defined as: oily, dry, combination, sensitive, and normal. Your skin type is largely determined by how much sebum (aka oil) your skin produces, but it’s also influenced by your genetics, stress levels, hormones, lifestyle habits, the season, and humidity levels. It’s also perfectly normal for your skin type to change as you grow older. For example, some people may report excess oil and blemishes during their teens but not in their fifties.
Knowing your skin type allows you to make informed decisions about what skincare products to use and which to skip, which means your skin will receive care that’s tailored to its specific needs. This has the added perk of helping you achieve your skin goals more quickly, too.
Determining your skin type requires a little detective work, but it’s easy to do at home and doesn’t require any expert equipment. To do so, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry with a towel. Resist the urge to apply any other products for 20–30 minutes, then find your best mirror and inspect your skin. Think about how your face looks and feels, then consult the guide below to identify your skin type and start building your customized skincare routine.
Coarse texture, clogged pores, and shiny skin?
This means you have oily skin, which is typically more prone to acne and blemishes and less prone to premature aging. To set your skin up for success, look for products that help support the moisture barrier, deep clean pores, and regulate sebum. A good cleanser and toner, lightweight moisturizer, detoxifying face masks, and regular exfoliation are all musts in your regimen.
Small pores, flaky patches, and dull, taut-feeling skin?
You have dry skin. This means there’s less oil present, which makes it harder for your skin to retain moisture. Dry skin is also more likely to age faster and can be linked to an impaired moisture barrier. Look for products that hydrate, nurture, and soothe with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, such as our Tea Elixir Skin Resilience Activating Serum—a daily face serum that visibly improves the texture of skin while strengthening its natural barrier. Finally, be sure to avoid hot showers, as well as formulas containing alcohol—both of which can dry out skin.
Some areas of your face are shiny, while others are dry?
These are characteristics typical of combination skin, which can be tricky to care for if you don’t know how. The key is to build a skincare routine that brings the skin equilibrium on a consistent basis. Start with a pH-balanced cleanser, a gentle exfoliating scrub, and a fast-absorbing moisturizer to keep skin hydrated but not greasy.
Blotchy, itchy, inflamed skin that feels stressed?
You likely have sensitive skin, which requires a light touch and a mindful approach. Avoid anything with harsh active ingredients, and look to products that relieve redness and discomfort, like our Floral Recovery Calming Mask. A pH-balanced cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin, and soothing ingredients like rose that help strengthen the moisture barrier, are a great place to start. Sensitive skin is easily triggered by external lifestyle factors and can be linked to diet, hormonal imbalances, and skin conditions like rosacea. In such instances, it’s recommended to seek the advice of a dermatologist.
Smooth skin that’s neither too shiny nor too dry?
This is defined as normal skin, and it's the most straightforward skin type to care for. Prioritize maintaining balance with a steady daily regimen that supports and protects the moisture barrier, in tandem with locking in hydration.
Start with the skincare essentials, and then layer on more targeted formulas to help you achieve your long-term skincare goals.
Find skincare products perfectly suited to your skin
We’ve created a range of potent skincare products for every skin type. And because we know that your skin’s needs change depending on the day, your location, and the time of year, we’ve made sure our products work in every combination! Treat your skin to fresh skincare.
In skincare, as in life, there are universal truths but no one-size-fits-all approach. For example, it’s true that everyone should wear sunscreen and cleanse their face every day, twice a day. And yet, two people using the exact same formula in either scenario are not necessarily going to require or experience the same results, even if they’re genetically related. Why? The answer is simple—skin types.
There are five basic skin types, and each person has one dominant type. These are defined as: oily, dry, combination, sensitive, and normal. Your skin type is largely determined by how much sebum (aka oil) your skin produces, but it’s also influenced by your genetics, stress levels, hormones, lifestyle habits, the season, and humidity levels. It’s also perfectly normal for your skin type to change as you grow older. For example, some people may report excess oil and blemishes during their teens but not in their fifties.
Knowing your skin type allows you to make informed decisions about what skincare products to use and which to skip, which means your skin will receive care that’s tailored to its specific needs. This has the added perk of helping you achieve your skin goals more quickly, too.
Determining your skin type requires a little detective work, but it’s easy to do at home and doesn’t require any expert equipment. To do so, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry with a towel. Resist the urge to apply any other products for 20–30 minutes, then find your best mirror and inspect your skin. Think about how your face looks and feels, then consult the guide below to identify your skin type and start building your customized skincare routine.
Coarse texture, clogged pores, and shiny skin?
This means you have oily skin, which is typically more prone to acne and blemishes and less prone to premature aging. To set your skin up for success, look for products that help support the moisture barrier, deep clean pores, and regulate sebum. A good cleanser and toner, lightweight moisturizer, detoxifying face masks, and regular exfoliation are all musts in your regimen.
Small pores, flaky patches, and dull, taut-feeling skin?
You have dry skin. This means there’s less oil present, which makes it harder for your skin to retain moisture. Dry skin is also more likely to age faster and can be linked to an impaired moisture barrier. Look for products that hydrate, nurture, and soothe with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, such as our Tea Elixir Skin Resilience Activating Serum—a daily face serum that visibly improves the texture of skin while strengthening its natural barrier. Finally, be sure to avoid hot showers, as well as formulas containing alcohol—both of which can dry out skin.
Some areas of your face are shiny, while others are dry?
These are characteristics typical of combination skin, which can be tricky to care for if you don’t know how. The key is to build a skincare routine that brings the skin equilibrium on a consistent basis. Start with a pH-balanced cleanser, a gentle exfoliating scrub, and a fast-absorbing moisturizer to keep skin hydrated but not greasy.
Blotchy, itchy, inflamed skin that feels stressed?
You likely have sensitive skin, which requires a light touch and a mindful approach. Avoid anything with harsh active ingredients, and look to products that relieve redness and discomfort, like our Floral Recovery Calming Mask. A pH-balanced cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin, and soothing ingredients like rose that help strengthen the moisture barrier, are a great place to start. Sensitive skin is easily triggered by external lifestyle factors and can be linked to diet, hormonal imbalances, and skin conditions like rosacea. In such instances, it’s recommended to seek the advice of a dermatologist.
Smooth skin that’s neither too shiny nor too dry?
This is defined as normal skin, and it's the most straightforward skin type to care for. Prioritize maintaining balance with a steady daily regimen that supports and protects the moisture barrier, in tandem with locking in hydration.
Start with the skincare essentials, and then layer on more targeted formulas to help you achieve your long-term skincare goals.
Find skincare products perfectly suited to your skin
We’ve created a range of potent skincare products for every skin type. And because we know that your skin’s needs change depending on the day, your location, and the time of year, we’ve made sure our products work in every combination! Treat your skin to fresh skincare.
