Whether you are a seasoned skincare lover or just starting to discover the world of skincare, knowing your skin type is the key to radiant, healthy skin. By understanding what your skin needs, you can choose products that nourish and care for your skin. In this blog post, you'll discover how to find out your skin type and get helpful tips on how to best care for it!
1. Oily skin
Oily skin is often characterised by a shiny appearance and visible pores, especially on the forehead, nose and chin. This skin type is more prone to pimples and blackheads because of excessive sebum production.
Tips for oily skin:
- Use a light, oil-free moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated without adding extra oil.
- Cleanse your face twice a day with a mild, foaming cleanser.
- Opt for non-comedogenic products to avoid clogging pores.
2. Dry skin
Dry skin types often experience tightness or flakiness, especially during colder months. This is due to a lack of sebum, which leads to insufficient moisture retention.
Tips for dry skin:
- Use a rich, hydrating cream with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
- Avoid hot showers and opt for lukewarm water instead.
- Exfoliate gently to remove dead skin cells and improve the absorption of your moisturiser.
3. Combination skin
Combined skin types have a mix of both oily and dry areas. Usually, the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oilier, while the cheeks can be drier.
Tips for combination skin:
- Use products that target specific zones; for example, a mattifying toner for the T-zone and a rich moisturiser for the cheeks.
- Avoid products that can dry out the skin or add too much oil.
- Use a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skin cells without irritating the skin.
4. Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin types often react to external factors such as certain ingredients, temperature changes or stress, which can lead to redness and irritation.
Tips for sensitive skin:
- Choose products with minimal ingredients and avoid fragrances.
- Always test new products on a small piece of skin first.
- Use sunscreen to protect skin from harmful rays.
5. Normal skin
Blessed are those with normal skin! This skin type balances itself well, with an even texture, healthy radiance and minimal blemishes.
Tips for normal skin:
- Stick to a simple routine that includes cleansing, moisturising, and sun protection.
- Keep up your nutrition and hydration for healthy skin from the inside out.
- Experiment with gentle exfoliants to keep your skin refreshed and radiant.
How do you discover your skin type?
Determining your skin type starts with a thorough observation of your skin without any products. First, gently cleanse your face with a mild cleanser and then wait about an hour without applying anything to your skin. This will allow you to assess the natural state of your skin. While doing this, pay attention to how your skin feels and looks:
- Oily skin: If your skin is shiny all over your face and you have visible pores, you probably have oily skin.
- Dry skin: If your skin feels tight or you see flakes, this indicates dry skin.
- Combination skin: If your T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) is oily and the rest of your face drier, then combination skin is obvious.
- Sensitive skin: If you notice redness, prickling or irritation, then you tend to have sensitive skin.
- Normal skin: If you haven't noticed any particularities such as extreme dryness or oil, and your skin looks healthy and balanced, then you probably have normal skin.
Combining these observations with your experiences of which products trigger your skin reactions will give you a clearer picture of your skin type and allow you to adjust your skincare accordingly.