We hear people talk about “normal,” “oily,” “dry” and “combination” skin all the time but what does it all mean? And why does it even matter? Well, for starters, the first step to treating your skin with the products it craves and deserves is knowing how to do so properly. Your skin type is a key indicator in pinpointing which products are right for you.
While there may be visual signs that can help identify the different skin types, like dullness, roughness, or excess oil, it’s not always so obvious. But we’re here to help! Here’s exactly how to determine your skin type if you’re having trouble figuring it all out.
STEP 1: The Blotting Sheet Method
Start with this simple test in the middle of the day or evening for most accurate results by pressing a clean blotting paper on different areas of your face. Then, hold the used sheet up to a light to determine how much oil was absorbed.
TIP: If you don’t have blotting paper, coffee filters are a great substitute.
STEP 2: Analyze Your Results
Now that you’ve blotted, you’re probably wondering “Ok but what is my skin type?” Thankfully, analyzing it from here is fairly straightforward, so now determining which of the below types of skin you have should be a piece of cake.
Normal Skin Type
If you blot away some oil from around your face but nothing substantial, there’s a strong chance you have a normal skin type. This means your skin is well-balanced and, therefore, neither too oily nor too dry. Other signs you have this type of skin include fine pores, smooth texture and little to no blemishes because balanced skin is not as prone to breakouts or dryness.
Sound like you? Try High Potency Nutritive Cleanser to remove oil, dirt and impurities without adding shine or stripping essential oils. Then, apply High Potency Face Finishing & Firming Moisturizer to help maintain skin’s balance and impart an immediate glow.
Dry Skin Type
If there’s little to no oil on the sheet after blotting, your skin is likely dry. This indicates that your skin produces less sebum than a normal, balanced complexion does, which can cause your skin to feel tight and rough while appearing dull. Less sebum means your skin lacks the necessary lipids for moisture retention, hence the ongoing cycle of overall dryness.
Sound like you? Try Essential Fx Acyl-Glutathione Chia Cleansing Balm. This melt-away cleansing balm features omega fatty acids to thoroughly nourish skin to wash away dryness, dirt, impurities and makeup. For a post-cleanse hydration boost, follow with Cold Plasma Plus+ The Intensive Hydrating Complex. This ultra-rich, multitasking powerhouse is also formulated with nutrients that work to effectively restore moisturization.
Oily Skin Type
If there’s an excess amount of oil on the blotting sheet, your skin type falls on the opposite end of the spectrum because of its heightened sebum production. Oily skin often appears greasy with enlarged, clearly visible pores. Causes of this overproduction of oil can be contributed to genetics, hormonal changes or imbalances, medication or even stress.
Sound like you? Try No Makeup Easy Rinse Makeup-Removing Cleanser. This oil-free cleanser will help eliminate excess oil without stripping it dry. Follow it with High Potency Classics Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturizer, also an oil-free option, to properly hydrate skin with three forms of hyaluronic acid for increased water levels in the skin without oil or shine.
Combination Skin Type
If you notice areas of little to no oil (usually on the cheeks) and other areas with excess oil (usually around the T-zone), you likely have combination skin. As the name suggests, this looks like a combination of the other skin types, with some areas appearing dry or even normal and other areas oily.
Sound like you? Try Vitamin C Ester Citrus Brightening Cleanser. This formula is one of our favorites for combination skin because it helps to balance skin for excess oil control while also remaining non-drying so it never strips your complexion of its essential oils. Then, we recommend applying Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Barrier Repair Nourishing Moisturizer on top. It’s an essential for supporting and strengthening the moisture barrier to help skin retain the oils necessary for healthy, balanced skin.
After checking off these two simple steps, you can now determine which of the above suggested product combinations is right for you so we can all achieve and maintain healthy, balanced “normal” skin.
