| SKIN TYPE | DRY | NORMAL | COMBINATION | OILY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GENERAL DESCRIPTION | Skin looks matte
Few, if any visible pores Skin flakes Skin feels taut or tight Few breakouts |
Little shine throughout day No skin flakes Few breakouts No enlarged pores |
Shiny T-zone
(forehead and center of face) May have enlarged pores on nose and forehead Dry on cheeks and outer edges |
Develops shine early in the day Makeup does not last through the day Large pores May have more problems with acne |
| SENSITIVE | Skin may sting when
applying products
May have eczema or dermatitis Easily develops areas of redness Very sensitive to exfoliation or harsh cleansing |
Skin may sting when apply
products
May have eczema or dermatitis Over-exfoliation or harsh cleansers may cause irritation |
Skin often breaks out with new products
Irritation may result in skin flaking or excess oil production (or both) |
Skin often breaks out with new products
Skin clogs easily with heavier products May overproduce oil in response to irritation |
| DEHYDRATED | Fine lines more prominent when
inadequately moisturized
Skin feels tight and stretched |
Fine lines more prominent when
inadequately moisturized
Skin feels tight |
Skin feels tight
In spite of oily areas, skin does not feel soft |
Skin may feel tight while
overproducing oil
In spite of oil, skin does not feel soft |
| ACNE | Less likely to have large comedones
Few problems with acne |
Less likely to have large comedones
Few problems with acne |
May develop larger and deeper comedones, especially in oily areas | Potential to develop larger and deeper comedones |
| AGING | Tends to develop fine lines easily
Skin is thin, fragile, and papery |
Develops fine lines at a normal rate | Tends to develop fine lines later
Fine lines show up in drier areas first |
Tends to develop fine lines later |
| PORES | No visible pores or shine | Few visible pores, little shine throughout the day | Enlarged pores on nose, forehead, and center of face Blackheads and whiteheads can be a problem | Enlarged pores are common
Blackheads and whiteheads can be a problem |
| PIGMENTATION | May occur in response to sun damage and irritation | May occur in response to sun damage and irritation | May occur in response to sun damage, irritation, and acne scarring | May occur in response to sun damage, irritation, and acne scarring |
SKIN TYPE
The first step in developing a skincare routine that works for you is determining what your skin type is and identifying what skin concerns you’re dealing with. Each skin type and skin concern requires slightly different treatment. It’s also tremendously empowering to be able to understand your own skin and tailor products to suit you, not anyone else.
DRY SKIN
You’re lucky if you have normal skin! You have a good balance of oil in your skin -- not so much that you get shiny throughout the day, but enough that skin doesn’t feel tight and flaky. You may have to blot once in the afternoon but generally you have no problems with oil. You don’t have accelerated fine line formation due to dryness. However, it’s very important to nurture and hydrate your skin, even if you don’t have obvious skin concerns, as normal skin can quickly turn dry if not taken care of.
NORMAL SKIN
You’re lucky if you have normal skin! You have a good balance of oil in your skin -- not so much that you get shiny throughout the day, but enough that skin doesn’t feel tight and flaky. You may have to blot once in the afternoon but generally you have no problems with oil. You don’t have accelerated fine line formation due to dryness. However, it’s very important to nurture and hydrate your skin, even if you don’t have obvious skin concerns, as normal skin can quickly turn dry if not taken care of.
COMBINATION SKIN
You’re lucky if you have normal skin! You have a good balance of oil in your skin -- not so much that you get shiny throughout the day, but enough that skin doesn’t feel tight and flaky. You may have to blot once in the afternoon but generally you have no problems with oil. You don’t have accelerated fine line formation due to dryness. However, it’s very important to nurture and hydrate your skin, even if you don’t have obvious skin concerns, as normal skin can quickly turn dry if not taken care of.
OILY SKIN
You’re lucky if you have normal skin! You have a good balance of oil in your skin -- not so much that you get shiny throughout the day, but enough that skin doesn’t feel tight and flaky. You may have to blot once in the afternoon but generally you have no problems with oil. You don’t have accelerated fine line formation due to dryness. However, it’s very important to nurture and hydrate your skin, even if you don’t have obvious skin concerns, as normal skin can quickly turn dry if not taken care of.
Skin Concerns
Skin concerns are separate from your skin type. You may be dealing with any of these skin concerns, no matter what skin type you have. It’s important to keep both your skin type and your skin concerns in mind when choosing skincare products.
Sensitive
Any skin type can be sensitive. You may frequently experience itching or stinging in reaction to skincare products. You may be prone to eczema or dermatitis. Your skin may redden or break out easily in reaction to new products.
Dehydrated
Contrary to popular belief, any skin type can be dehydrated! Dehydration refers to skin that is depleted of water, and even oily skin can lack watery moisture. If you have oily skin that somehow still feels tight and isn’t soft to the touch, you may have oily-dehydrated skin. Dry skin is frequently dehydrated because the lack of protective oil means that moisture evaporates quickly from the skin. The hallmarks of dehydrated skin are a feeling of tightness, and often fine lines that appear or disappear depending on how well you’ve moisturized your skin.
Acne
Acne can have many causes, ranging from hormonal imbalance, to stress, to diet, to whether you are properly cleansing and caring for your skin. Any skin type can have problems with acne, but oily skin types tend to deal with larger comedones due to overactive sebaceous glands and enlarged pores. Having a solid skincare routine can certainly help manage and treat acne, but it’s also important to look into the root causes.
Aging
We all age, no matter our skin type. Some people deal with fine lines and wrinkles earlier than others, particularly dry and dehydrated skin types. Properly hydrating and moisturizing your skin, and using skincare products that improve your skin’s natural regenerative abilities, can keep skin looking younger for longer. Antioxidants help to prevent damage caused by the sun and by free radicals. Of course, the most important thing you can do to prevent premature aging is to use a broad-spectrum SPF every day!
Pores
Combination and oily skin types tend to deal more with pores than drier skin types. Enlarged pores can get clogged easily, causing blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Keeping skin hydrated can plump up the skin around your pores, making them appear smaller, and you may want to choose skincare products that help to exfoliate and clear out clogged pores.
Pigmentation
Dark spots are caused by injury to the skin and by sun damage, as well as by hormones (melasma), and can be experienced by any skin type, especially as we age. Ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide can help to brighten and even out your skin tone, and using a daily SPF can prevent further damage from occurring.
The first part of this quiz is to determine your base skin type.
Do you experience shine on your skin throughout the day
Select one:
Yes, almost immediately in the morning.
Sometimes, but mostly in the afternoon when my skin gets more oily.
Never.
How often do you blot your skin throughout the day
Select one:
Constantly, with multiple blotting papers or tissues.
Once or twice, mainly in the T-zone (forehead, nose, sometimes chin).
Never.
Do you have enlarged pores
Select one:
Yes, all over my face.
A few, concentrated in the T-zone.
Nope, my pores are invisible.
Do you have flaky, peeling skin
Select one:
Rarely, only if irritated or over-exfoliated.
Yes, in certain areas of the face.
I struggle with flaking and peeling constantly.
RESULTS
Mostly A
Oily Skin: Oily skin is the opposite end of the spectrum from dry skin. While oil is important for lubrication and protection of your skin, your skin produces too much oil. You probably find yourself looking shiny quite early in the day unless you powder and blot. You may have enlarged pores all over your face. Oily skin also tends to deal with larger comedones if acne occurs. On the plus side, however, oily skin generally doesn’t develop fine lines and wrinkles as quickly as drier skin.
Mostly B
Combination Skin: If you have combination skin you might be confused about which skincare products to buy! You may have enlarged pores on your T-zone (nose, forehead, and center of face); you may have shine in this area and may need to blot a few times during the day. However, the sides of your cheeks may be dry and flaky and you may have the feeling of tightness and tautness on your cheeks. Combination skin benefits from all over hydration, and you may find yourself picking and choosing products designed for both dry skin and oily skin.
Mostly C
Dry Skin: Generally, if you have dry skin, you know it. Your skin doesn’t produce any oil, and you have no visible pores. You never have to blot with oil-blotting papers. Your skin may feel tight, and you may have fine lines due to dehydration. During the winter or when the climate is dry, your skin may feel raw and sensitized, and you may notice visible skin flaking and peeling. Dry skin needs to be both deeply hydrated, and protected with natural lipids and oils.
Does your skin feel tight and stretched?
YES
NO
Your skin may be dehydrated, which means a lack of water
Your skin has adequate levels of watery moisture
Do you have sun spots, unwanted freckles, or areas of pigmentation?
YES
NO
Look for brightening and skin tone-evening products
Look for products that will support the general health of your skin.
Brightening products can still improve the radiance and glow of your skin.
Does your skin react to new products by itching, stinging, or breaking out?
YES
NO
Your skin is likely sensitive -- look for minimal, clean formulations and soothing ingredients like aloe
You’re not hypersensitive to new products, but you should still be on the lookout for ingredients that may cause reactions.
Do you break out with blemishes frequently?
YES
Sometimes
NO
Your skin is likely acne prone and will benefit from sebum-controlling, antibacterial products
A calming, hydrating, and consistent skincare routine should help to control sporadic breakouts and improve the health of your skin
Lucky you! A consistent routine will still help refine and increase the luminosity of your skin
Are fine lines and wrinkles a concern?
YES
YES, BUT
more preventative
NO
Look for anti-aging products and ingredients such as ceramides, ginseng, retinol, ferments, and antioxidants. Daily SPF is a must!
Daily SPF is essential for preventing fine lines. Look for hydrating products with antioxidants to prevent environmental damage.
Although you may not have fine lines yet, the best way to prevent them is to use SPF daily.
Do you have visible pores, and does their appearance bother you?
YES
Only
in certain areas
NO
Look for oil-controlling, balancing products, and ingredients like BHA. Oil cleansing and clay masks can be helpful in controlling the size of pores.
Using clay masks and pore-purifying products occasionally should help to control the appearance of moderately enlarged pores.
Focus on a hydrating and moisturizing skincare routine.
