Hint: your skin type clues in the skincare (and ingredients) your skin will love.
– KEYS SOULCARE
WHAT IS MY SKIN TYPE? (+WHY IT MATTERS FOR YOUR SKINCARE)
Figuring out what type of skin you have can help you determine the skincare offerings and ingredients that can help skin feel its best.
Dermatologists generally have defined five different skin types: oily, dry, normal, combination and sensitive. Remember: what works for one person with a certain skin type may be irritating for someone else. Each skin type has different preferences and each person’s skin is unique!
Dive into this guide for more information on the different skin types, and don’t forget to talk to your dermatologist to get their expert POV on yours.
Learning your skin type unlocks new portals to self-love and discernment. Once you’re able to name your skin type, you’re that much closer to building a skincare ritual that fits you, instead of trying out random products that work for someone else.
How to Determine Your Skin Type
Want to figure out your skin type at home? Try these two DIY methods to get a clearer picture of how your skin behaves.
THE BLOTTING SHEET METHOD
First, wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser and wait 30 minutes. Then, apply a blotting sheet on the skin. This can help you determine your skin type based on how much oil the blotting sheet absorbs.
If oil is collected from the entire face, you may have oily skin. If the oil is confined to the T-zone (the area of your forehead, nose, and chin), you may have combination skin. If hardly any oil is noted on the blotting paper, then your skin type may lean more dry. Minimal oil implies you have a “normal” skin type.
THE WASH + WAIT METHOD
One way to identify your skin type is to wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry.
If you have a shiny hue on your entire face 30 minutes after cleansing, your skin type may be oily. If the shine is limited to the forehead, nose, and chin, this might be considered combination skin. Should skin feel tight and you notice flaking or scaling after facial cleansing, you may have dry skin. If your skin feels hydrated and comfortable, your skin type can probably be classified as normal.
Deciphering Your Results: Characteristics of Each Skin Type
DRY SKIN
If your skin often feels tight, rough, or flaky—especially after cleansing—you may have a dry skin type, which can be influenced by genetics, low humidity, aging, lifestyle choices, or even harsh skincare products, according to The American Academy of Dermatology.
What helps calm and condition itchy, dry skin:
- Moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, or squalane
- Gentle, fragrance-free formulations like our Skin Transformation Cream
- Hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid
Shop Skincare to help hydrate skin.
OILY SKIN
If your face appears shiny, especially in the T-zone or all over, and you’re prone to clogged pores or breakouts, your skin may be oily. This skin type produces more sebum, which can be genetic or triggered by things like stress, diet, or hormonal shifts.
How to care for oily skin:
- Use oil-free and non-comedogenic products to help avoid clogging pores, since oily skin types tend to already produce more sebum than other types
- Cleanse daily with a gentle cleanser like Golden Cleanser, which is formulated with glycerin to help remove makeup, oil, and impurities
- Choose lightweight gel moisturizers or water-based formulas for skin to drink up
Explore skincare offerings to help control the look of oil.
SENSITIVE SKIN
Sensitive skin may look flushed, sting easily, or react to certain products, environmental conditions, or allergens — all of which may cause irritation.
How to care for sensitive skin:
- Choose dermatologist developed, minimal-ingredient skincare offerings
- Do a patch test before trying new products to see if they cause a reaction on your skin
- Avoid harsh physical scrubs or alcohol-based toners, which may irritate the skin
- Focus on gentle hydration and skin moisture barrier repair
Read up on more commonly asked questions about sensitive skin.
NORMAL & COMBINATION SKIN
Normal skin feels balanced—not too oily or dry. It has no obvious sensitivity, and an even appearance.
Combination skin, on the other hand, features multiple skin types in different zones, like an oily T-zone accompanied by dry or normal cheeks. Combination skin can also change based on factors like genetics or hormones.
What helps normal and combination skin types:
- Stick with a gentle, non-drying cleanser
- Try a serum with hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid
- Reach for non-comedogenic offerings that won’t clog pores
- Aim use an exfoliant a few times per week to help your complexion appear smooth and balanced
Shop non-comedogenic skincare and makeup.
Determining your skin type can give you the confidence to build a ritual that works with your skin, not against it.
Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, combination, or normal skin, knowing what your skin needs is powerful knowledge that can inform your daily soulcare for years to come.
What have you learned works for your unique skin type? Dish in the comments.
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