Your skincare routine should be tailored to your unique skin type, but how do you determine what that is? Understanding your skin’s natural tendencies – how it looks and feels throughout the day – helps you choose the right products and routines for optimized skin health. If you’ve ever wondered whether you have acne-prone, oily, dry, sensitive, or mature skin, this guide will take you back to the basics so you can confidently build a routine that works for you.
Once you’ve identified your skin type, you can dive deeper into the detailed routine guides we’ve created to help you love the skin you’re in.
Step 1: Observe Your Bare Skin
To get an accurate sense of your skin type, start with a clean slate. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry. Don’t apply any serums, moisturizers, or treatments just yet. After about 30 to 60 minutes, check in with your skin. Pay attention to how it looks and feels.
-
Is your skin shiny or oily all over? You may have oily or acne-prone skin.
-
Does it feel tight, flaky, or rough? You could have dry skin.
-
Does it appear red, irritated, or react easily to products? You may have sensitive skin.
-
Are you noticing fine lines, loss of elasticity, or dullness? You might have mature skin.
-
Does your skin feel normal in some areas but oily in others (like the T-zone)? You could have combination skin, but you’ll likely lean toward one of the categories above.
Step 2: Conduct a Blotting Test
A simple way to confirm your skin type is with a blotting sheet. Gently press a blotting sheet against different areas of your face and see how much oil it picks up:
-
If the sheet absorbs oil from all areas, you likely have oily or acne-prone skin.
-
If there’s little to no oil, you may have dry or mature skin.
-
If only the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) shows oil, you could have combination skin.
-
If your skin is reactive but doesn’t produce much oil, you may have sensitive skin.
Understanding Your Skin Type
Once you’ve determined where your skin falls, you can explore the right skincare routine tailored to its needs.
Acne-Prone & Oily Skin
-
What to look for: Enlarged pores, frequent breakouts, excessive shine
-
What to feel for: Greasy texture, makeup slides off easily
-
Routine Guide: If you fall into this category, explore our Acne-Prone & Oily Skin Routine for products that control oil, fight breakouts, and refine pores.
Dry Skin
-
What to look for: Flakiness, dullness, rough patches, fine lines that appear more pronounced
-
What to feel for: Tightness, roughness, or an overall uncomfortable sensation
-
Routine Guide: Check out our Dry Skin Routine for deeply hydrating and nourishing products that restore suppleness.
Sensitive Skin
-
What to look for: Redness, irritation, reactions to new products, visible capillaries
-
What to feel for: Burning or tingling sensation when using skincare
-
Routine Guide: Our Sensitive Skin Routine features soothing, calming formulations to support your skin barrier.
Mature Skin
-
What to look for: Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, dullness, loss of elasticity
-
What to feel for: Less firmness, dehydration
-
Routine Guide: Our Anti-Aging Routine includes targeted products to enhance collagen production and revitalize aging skin.
Next Steps: Tailor Your Skincare
Once you’ve determined your skin type, the next step is choosing products that will nourish and support your skin. Each of our routines has been designed to work with your skin’s natural tendencies, whether you need oil control, hydration, barrier support, or rejuvenation.
Ready to find your perfect skincare match? Explore our tailored skincare routine guides and get started on your journey to glowing, healthy skin!
Leave a comment (all fields required)