Every skincare recommendation comes with “depending on your skin type.” Using products for oily skin when yours is dry? You’ll be flaky. Rich creams on oily skin? Breakouts. Understanding your type is the foundation of a routine that works.
The Four Main Skin Types
Normal Skin
Balanced – not too oily, not too dry, minimal sensitivity.
Signs: Skin feels comfortable, small pores, rarely breaks out, products work well.
Focus: Maintenance and prevention. You can experiment freely.
Oily Skin
Sebaceous glands overproduce. Pro: wrinkle slower. Con: shine and breakouts.
Signs: Shine appears within hours, enlarged pores, prone to blackheads/acne, makeup slides.
Focus: Control oil without stripping (which makes it worse). Keep pores clear.
Use: Gel cleansers, BHA/salicylic acid, niacinamide, lightweight moisturizers, clay masks.
Avoid: Heavy creams, most facial oils, harsh stripping cleansers.
Dry Skin
Less sebum production. Needs hydration and moisture from products.
Signs: Tight after cleansing, flaking, small pores, fine lines show more, products absorb fast.
Focus: Hydration (water) AND moisture (sealing it in). You need both.
Use: Cream cleansers, hydrating toners, hyaluronic acid, rich moisturizers, facial oils.
Avoid: Foaming cleansers, alcohol-based toners, over-exfoliating.
Combination Skin
Most common. Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), normal/dry cheeks.
Signs: Different areas have different needs, larger pores in oily zones only.
Focus: Multi-masking and targeted treatment by area.
Strategy: Clay mask on nose, hydrating mask on cheeks. Lighter moisturizer on T-zone.
Sensitive Skin (Overlay)
Not a type but a condition that can affect any type. Oily sensitive, dry sensitive, etc.
Signs: Reacts to new products, redness, stinging, flares with stress or weather.
Focus: Barrier repair and gentle products. Patch test everything.
Use: Fragrance-free products, minimal ingredients, ceramides, centella, physical SPF.
Avoid: Fragrance, strong actives without slow introduction, frequent product switching.
How to Determine Your Type
The Bare-Face Test
- Cleanse with gentle cleanser
- Pat dry, don’t apply anything
- Wait 1-2 hours
- Observe:
- Shiny all over = Oily
- Tight/flaky = Dry
- Shiny T-zone, dry cheeks = Combination
- Comfortable = Normal
Type vs. Condition
Types (permanent): Normal, oily, dry, combination – genetic.
Conditions (temporary): Dehydration, acne, sensitivity, hyperpigmentation – treatable.
You can have oily skin that’s dehydrated, or normal skin that’s sensitized from overusing actives.
Skin Type Can Change
- Age: Often drier as oil production decreases
- Hormones: Pregnancy, menopause affect oil production
- Climate: Humidity levels affect oiliness/dryness
- Season: Oilier in summer, drier in winter
Reassess periodically and adjust your routine.
Our skincare collection is organized by concern and type. Try our starter sets for curated routines.