Knowing your skin type is the first step to building a routine that actually works. Use the wrong products, and you could end up with breakouts, dryness, or irritation — even if those products work great for someone else.
The good news? Figuring out your skin type is simple. Here are two easy methods you can do at home.
The Bare-Face Method
This is the most reliable way to determine your skin type.
How to do it:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
- Pat dry and leave your skin completely bare — no products
- Wait 30 minutes
- Observe how your skin looks and feels
After 30 minutes:
- Tight and flaky? → Dry skin
- Shiny all over? → Oily skin
- Shiny T-zone but dry cheeks? → Combination skin
- Comfortable, no excess oil or tightness? → Normal skin
- Red, itchy, or reactive? → Sensitive skin
The Blotting Sheet Method
A quicker test that focuses on oil production.
How to do it:
- Wait a few hours after washing your face (or do this midday)
- Press a clean blotting paper or tissue against different areas of your face
- Hold it up to the light and see how much oil transferred
What you’ll see:
- Oil from everywhere? → Oily skin
- Oil only from forehead, nose, chin? → Combination skin
- Little to no oil? → Dry or normal skin
The 5 Skin Types Explained
Normal Skin
The unicorn of skin types — balanced, not too oily, not too dry. Pores are small, skin feels comfortable throughout the day.
What to use: Most products work well. Focus on maintenance and sun protection.
Oily Skin
Your skin produces excess sebum, especially in the T-zone. Pores may appear larger, and you might be prone to breakouts.
What to use: Gel cleansers, lightweight moisturizers, oil-free products. Don’t skip moisturizer — dehydrated oily skin produces even more oil.
Dry Skin
Your skin doesn’t produce enough natural oils. It may feel tight, rough, or flaky, especially after cleansing.
What to use: Cream cleansers, rich moisturizers, hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid. Avoid harsh foaming cleansers.
Combination Skin
The most common type. Your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oily, while cheeks are normal or dry.
What to use: You might need different products for different zones, or a balanced approach. Gel-cream moisturizers often work well.
Sensitive Skin
Your skin reacts easily — redness, itching, burning, or breakouts from products that don’t bother other people.
What to use: Fragrance-free, minimal-ingredient products. Patch test everything new. Look for soothing ingredients like centella, aloe, and oat extract.
Can Your Skin Type Change?
Yes, and it probably will. Skin type can shift due to:
- Age — Skin typically produces less oil as you get older
- Climate — Humidity, cold, and heat all affect oil production
- Hormones — Pregnancy, menstruation, menopause can change things
- Skincare routine — The wrong products can throw your skin off balance
- Seasons — You might be oilier in summer, drier in winter
Check in with your skin every few months and adjust your routine as needed.
Skin Type vs. Skin Concerns
These are different things, and it’s important not to confuse them.
Skin type = How much oil your skin produces (oily, dry, combination, normal)
Skin concerns = Issues you want to address, like:
- Acne
- Aging/fine lines
- Hyperpigmentation/dark spots
- Redness/rosacea
- Dehydration
You can have oily skin AND be dehydrated. You can have dry skin AND get acne. Knowing your type helps you choose the right base products, while treatments target your specific concerns.
Common Mistakes
Confusing dehydration with dry skin
Dehydration is a lack of water, not oil. Even oily skin can be dehydrated. Signs: skin feels tight but still gets oily, or fine lines appear more pronounced.
Over-treating oily skin
Stripping all the oil makes your skin produce more. Use gentle products and don’t skip moisturizer.
Ignoring seasonal changes
Your winter routine might not work in summer. Pay attention and adjust.
The Bottom Line
Understanding your skin type helps you choose products that work with your skin, not against it. Take one of the tests above, identify your type, and use it as a starting point for building your routine.
Remember: skin type can change, so stay flexible and listen to what your skin is telling you.