How do I determine my skin type?

Understanding your specific skin type is the absolute foundation of any effective skincare routine. If you use heavy, rich creams on oily skin, you risk clogging your pores and triggering breakouts; conversely, using harsh, drying cleansers on dry skin will strip your natural lipid barrier, causing flakiness, irritation, and premature aging. Your skin type is primarily determined by genetics, but it can also be influenced by climate, hormones, and aging.

The most accurate way to discover your skin type at home is the Bare-Faced Method. To start, wash your face with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser to remove all makeup, oil, and dirt. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel and leave it completely bare. Do not apply any moisturizers, serums, or spot treatments. Wait sixty minutes, during which you should avoid touching your face. After an hour, closely inspect your skin in a well-lit mirror.

If your skin feels tight, parched, or shows visible flaking on your cheeks, you have dry skin. If your face looks shiny and feels greasy throughout, particularly on your forehead, nose, and chin (the T-zone), you have oily skin. If you notice shine and oiliness concentrated solely in your T-zone while your cheeks feel normal or dry, you have combination skin. If your skin feels comfortable, balanced, and shows no obvious shine or flaking, you have normal skin. If your face appears red, itchy, or feels warm, you have sensitive skin. For a quick, objective test during this hour, press a sheet of oil blotting paper sheets against different areas of your face; oily skin will leave a translucent residue across the sheet, while dry skin will leave it completely dry.