What’s Your Skin Type? A Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for It
Figuring out your skin type can be surprisingly tricky — especially when online quizzes reduce your skin to a single category with vague questions. The truth is, your skin is unique and can change over time due to factors like weather, stress, and age.
To make things easier, let’s break down the six main skin types, along with the key signs to help you identify yours.
Understanding the six skin types
Normal skin: Naturally balanced and low-maintenance
Normal skin is balanced, with a smooth texture, small pores which are barely visible, clear complexion that's neither too oily nor too dry.
Dry skin: Flaky, tight, and thirsty for moisture
Dry skin tends to feel rough, often with flaky patches with a dull skin tone due to its lack of moisture. Fine lines and pores are more noticeable around the eyes and mouth. This skin type may also suffer from milia which form as small, hard white bumps.
Dehydrated skin: lacking water, not oil
Dehydrated skin lacks moisture, resulting in a dull, tight, and sometimes itchy complexion. It can emphasise fine lines and wrinkles, and may feel uncomfortable or sensitive to the touch. Unlike dry skin, which lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water content, making it a concern that can affect any skin type, regardless of its natural oil levels.
Combination skin: Oily in some areas, dry in others
Oily skin, on the other hand, is shiny from excess sebum production and prone to blackheads and acne, typically featuring enlarged pores and uneven complexion. This skin type can often feel and look heavy, and stays oily throughout the day.
Sensitive skin: Easily triggered and needs gentle care
Sensitive skin is easily irritated and reactive to various products or environmental factors, making it a delicate skin type to care for. It often feels warm to the touch, can look thin or translucent and may feature visible signs such as red patches, broken capillaries, or general redness.
Signs to Help You Determine Your Skin Type
Understanding your specific skin type is key to choosing the right skincare products and treatments for achieving healthy, glowing skin. Notably, your skin type can fluctuate due to various factors such as seasonal changes, personal health shifts, and aging, making it essential to reassess and adjust your skincare routine accordingly.
Observing your skin's behaviour is crucial to understanding its needs. Pay attention to how your skin feels:
- How does your skin feel after cleansing? Balanced? Tight? Oily? Warm?
- How does your skin feel throughout the day ? Hydrated? Oily? Dry? Tight?
- How does your skin feel in the morning ? Balanced? Oily? Dry? Tight?
By tuning in to these cues, you can better understand your skin's unique characteristics helping you identify your current skin type and adjust your skincare routine accordingly.
Skincare Essentials That Suit Every Skin Type
Oil cleansers: Suitable for all skin types, yes even oily skin! These cleansers will remove impurities and won't strip your skin of its natural oils.
Serums: A lightweight, fast-absorbing liquid product that targets specific skin concerns. Serums are concentrated with active ingredients to treat specific skin needs.
Moisturisers: Every skin type needs protection from environmental threats. Moisturisers will lock in hydration and maintain a balanced PH level.
Broad spectrum sunscreen: A crucial step in any skincare routine, sunscreen protects against UV damage and premature aging, regardless of skin type.
Try observing your skin's behaviour over a week or two, noting how it reacts to different products and environmental factors. This can help you better understand your skin type and find the right products and treatments for your unique skin needs.
Still Unsure?
Personalised Skincare: The Power of Prescriptive Facials
What is a Prescriptive Facial?
A prescriptive facial is a fully customised treatment designed to address your skin’s unique needs — whether it’s managing acne, signs of ageing, sensitivity, or pigmentation. If you're unsure about your skin type or which products are right for you, a skincare professional can assess your skin in person and create a tailored plan. This targeted approach not only helps clarify your skin’s current condition but also provides expert guidance to support a healthier, more radiant complexion.
Understanding your skin type is key to achieving healthy, glowing skin. By recognising your skin's unique characteristics and following the right care tips, you can take control of how your skin shows up everyday. Goodbye to skin woes and hello to radiant, beautiful skin.