How to identify your skin type: useful tips

Knowing your skin type is important if you want to use the right products that truly bring your skin into balance and keep it there. But how do you find out what your skin type is? We have a handy step-by-step plan that will help you figure it out in no time.

The four skin types: which one do you have?

There are four main types that your skin can fall into. And of course, there are variations on these, but we'll start with the basics:

Normal skin:
Everything is perfectly balanced, no dry patches, no oily shine. Your pores are small and your skin feels supple. Lucky you! There are many people who would love to trade places with you.

Dry skin:
Your skin often feels tight, can be flaky, and lacks that soft, hydrated feeling. You may suffer from itching, and those are struggles that aren't fun to deal with.

Oily skin:
Shiny, but not in the way you want, larger pores, and prone to breakouts or blackheads due to excess sebum production.

Combination skin:
A mix of dry and oily. Often your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oily, while the rest of your face is actually a bit drier.

Determine your skin type in 2 steps

1. Cleanse your face
Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser to remove makeup and dirt. Do not use any cream or other products afterwards – we want a 'blank' canvas.

2-A. Wait an hour
Leave your skin alone and observe how it behaves after about an hour:

Does it feel tight or taut? Then you have dry skin.

Do you see your skin shining everywhere? Then your skin is oily.

Only shine on your T-zone? Then you have combination skin.

No shine, no tight feeling? Then you are blessed with normal skin.

2-B. Do the tissue test
Take a tissue and press it against different parts of your face:

Does oil come off onto the tissue from multiple areas? Oily skin.

No oil at all? Likely dry or normal skin.

Only oil from your T-zone? Combination skin!

Why is determining your skin type so important?

If you know your skin type, you can choose products much more specifically that truly work for you. For example, a thick, moisturizing cream for dry skin does absolutely nothing for oily skin; it will likely make your skin even oilier, resulting in breakouts and blemishes.

Tips per skin type

Normal skin:
Keep it simple with light creams and mild cleansers, such as this gentle cleanser and this hydrating cream. Looking for extra care or wanting to boost your skin? Then this Vitamin C Serum is highly recommended!

Dry skin:
Opt for rich creams with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides, which help to deeply hydrate your skin and protect it against external influences. Our favorite for dry skin is this facial oil; it absorbs quickly and nourishes and softens your skin. Prefer a rich cream? Then this moisturizer is wonderful if you're looking for nourishment and hydration.

Oily skin:
Go for gel-based moisturizers and non-comedogenic products (which won't clog your pores). We often think that oily skin doesn't need hydration, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, oily skin can be dehydrated, causing your skin to compensate for the moisture deficit by producing more sebum. The right hydration, through this niacinamide gel for example, brings sebum and moisture back into the right balance. Cleansing is best done with an effective but non-aggressive cleanser like this one. 

Combination skin:
Use products that hydrate without being too heavy, such as light serums or creams specifically for combination skin types. The previously mentioned niacinamide gel moisturizer is perfect for combination skin. Cleansing is best done with a gentle cleanser like this one.

Conclusion
Now you know exactly what your skin type is and which products suit it well. Would you like personalized advice about your skincare routine? Open the chat in the bottom right; we're happy to help!