Not sure whether your skin is oily, dry, combination, or sensitive? Knowing your skin type changes how you shop, what products you use, and how your skin behaves with weather or stress. This short guide helps you identify your skin type fast and gives practical care tips you can use today.
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Wait 30–60 minutes without applying any products. Check your face:
- If your forehead, nose, and chin (T-zone) look shiny but cheeks feel normal, you’re probably combination skin.
- If your whole face feels tight, flaky, or rough, you likely have dry skin.
- If your skin looks shiny all over and you get frequent breakouts, that’s oily skin.
- If your skin flushes, stings, or breaks out from many products, treat it as sensitive skin.
You can also use a blotting sheet: press it to different areas. Lots of oil on the sheet = oily skin; little to none = dry; oil in the T-zone only = combination.
Oily skin: Use a gentle foaming cleanser and a lightweight, non-comedogenic gel moisturizer. Look for salicylic acid or niacinamide to control oil and reduce breakouts. Avoid heavy creams and oil-based cleansers.
Dry skin: Choose a creamy cleanser and richer moisturizers with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin. Use a humidifier in dry seasons and avoid long hot showers that strip oils.
Combination skin: Treat different areas differently. Use a gentle cleanser for the whole face, a lightweight moisturizer on the T-zone, and a slightly richer cream on dry cheeks. Exfoliate gently to keep pores clear without over-drying.
Sensitive skin: Keep your routine short. Choose fragrance-free, alcohol-free products. Look for soothing ingredients like niacinamide, panthenol, or colloidal oatmeal. Patch-test new products on the inner wrist for 48 hours before using on your face.
Sunscreen matters for every skin type. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day. Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are often better for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin because they sit on top of the skin and are less likely to irritate.
Active ingredients: Retinol and strong acids can work wonders but start slowly—once or twice a week—and always pair with sunscreen. If you have sensitive or dry skin, look for lower-strength formulas and consult a dermatologist before starting prescription-strength products.
Common mistakes: Over-washing, using abrasive scrubs, and layering too many actives at once. These habits can make skin oilier, drier, or more reactive. Keep routines simple and build products in one at a time.
When to see a pro: If you have persistent acne, severe redness, sudden changes in texture, or painful irritation, book a dermatologist. They can offer prescription options, tests for allergies, or targeted treatments you can’t get over the counter.
Quick checklist to take away: identify your type with the wash-and-wait test, choose gentle basics (cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen), introduce actives slowly, and patch-test new products. That small change in approach often makes the biggest difference.
