The adage “knowledge is power” is well-founded, and this is especially true when discussing skin care. Understanding your skin type—its natural inclinations, problem areas, and best features—will help you become more adept at skin care practices and improve the appearance and feel of healthy skin.
The best products to use can be chosen with your skin type in mind, according to MDCS Dermatology board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD. “A person with dry, sensitive skin may want to avoid potentially aggravating ingredients like fragrances or dyes, while someone with oily or acne-prone skin may want to stick with oil-free or water-based moisturizers.”
Therefore, how do you determine your skin type? Simply heed the advice of experts in skin care.
Meet The Expert
- Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
- Holly Mueller, esthetician and owner of Med 44 in Phoenix, Ariz.
- Hayley Wood, holistic esthetician at The New Knew
The Four Main Types of Skin
Generally, complexions can be divided into four main groups.
- Oily: Skin that is oily feels greasy or slippery. “Shiny complexion, enlarged pores, and acne are signs to watch out for with oily skin,” says esthetician Holly Mueller, who owns Med 44 in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Dry: Skin that isn’t wet. Mueller claims that because of the low oil production, it could seem flaky and feel tight. Rough areas, flakiness, dullness, and prominent wrinkles are some symptoms.
- Combination: This type of skin combines elements of dry and oily skin. Meuller describes her skin type as “particularly oily in the T-zone areas and dry in other areas of the face like the cheeks.” Because the parts of the face vary and have varying numbers of sebaceous glands, most people tend to have this type of skin.
- Balanced: Once called “normal skin” (but what really qualifies as normal?), balanced skin is usually well-hydrated and has little to no oiliness or dryness. Its skin texture is generally nice and it looks healthy.
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Skin Types and Conditions
You can then be classified into subcategories such as mature, sensitive, or acne-prone. Certain subcategories are compatible with specific skin types. For instance, oily and acne-prone skin types are frequently paired, as are dry and mature skin types.
Dr. Camp explains that sensitive skin is defined as more reactive skin, such as that seen in rosacea patients whose skin reacts adversely to a variety of aggravating elements, including heat, scents, colors, and active substances.
He continues by saying that aged skin typically exhibits more evidence of laxity, fine lines and wrinkles, and uneven tone or texture, and that acne-prone skin may be more prone to developing blocked pores and new blemishes as a result of higher baseline oil production and irregular skin cell turnover.
It’s critical to remember that the distinction between different skin types and conditions is essential to good skin care.
According to Hayley Wood, a holistic esthetician at The New Knew, “skin types, like oily or dry, are usually pretty consistent and stem from our genetics, while conditions like acne or sensitized skin are again usually temporary and influenced by factors like environment, product use, etc.” According to her, understanding this difference enables a more customized skin care regimen, guaranteeing that treatments cater to your skin’s specific requirements for outcomes that are healthier and more balanced.
Four Tests to Find Out Your Skin Type
Finding out your skin type is simplest when you observe your skin. To determine your skin type, use the descriptions above. You may also use these tests to determine your complexion.
1. Clean, Hold Off, and Examine
One of the easiest ways to determine your skin type is to take this test. Dr. Camp advises, “Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat it dry with a towel, and wait 20 to 30 minutes.” You have oily skin if it feels greasy or slippery to the touch. You have dry skin if it is tight and dry. You have balanced skin if it feels well-hydrated; if it feels mixed, you have combo skin.
2. The Blotting Test
A blotting test can be useful if you’re having trouble determining whether your skin is oily or dry. Dr. Camp advises using blotting paper or a tissue to dab your face after bathing and waiting for half an hour. “You probably have oily skin if you can see oil spots. Dry skin is most likely the cause of tight, flaky, or rough skin, the expert explains.
3. T-Zone Check
Dermatologists and estheticians frequently use your T-zone as a clear indicator of your skin type. The forehead, nose, and chin are included in the T-zone.
As a result of increased gland activity throughout puberty, “oily skin shows consistent oiliness both in this zone and beyond,” according to Wood. “Dry skin shows little oil production (even in the T-zone), while combination or balanced skin usually has oiliness limited to the T-zone.”
4. Pore Size Check
To verify your skin type, you can also look at your pores. Examine the pores on your forehead, cheeks, and nose in a well-lit place. If they’re noticeable and prominent on your face, you probably have oily skin. You may have dry or balanced skin if they are small or hardly noticeable. You probably have combination skin if your pores are modest elsewhere and only apparent in the T-zone.
