Skin Type: Find Yours and Start a Simple Routine

Knowing your skin type makes choosing products and routines so much easier. Pick the wrong cleanser or moisturizer and you’ll either feel tight and flaky or shiny and clogged. This guide helps you figure out your skin type fast and gives straightforward care tips you can use today.

How to tell your skin type

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Wait 30–60 minutes without applying anything. Look and feel: if your skin feels tight and looks dull, it’s likely dry. If your forehead, nose, and chin get shiny but cheeks stay normal, that’s combination. If your entire face is shiny and you notice large pores or frequent breakouts, that’s oily. If your face looks even and feels comfortable, you likely have normal skin. If redness, burning, or stinging happens with many products, you may have sensitive skin.

A quick napkin test helps: press a clean tissue to your face after the wait. Oil on the tissue from the T-zone usually means oily or combination skin. No oil and flakes usually means dry. If you’re unsure, check how your skin behaves across seasons—dry skin often feels worse in winter, oily skin may flare in summer.

Daily routine by skin type

Dry skin: Use a creamy, non-foaming cleanser and a richer moisturizer with hyaluronic acid or ceramides. Apply moisturizer while skin is slightly damp to lock in water. Use gentle exfoliation once a week to remove flakes, and always add SPF in the morning.

Oily skin: Choose a foaming or gel cleanser that removes excess oil without stripping. Lightweight, oil-free moisturizers with glycerin or hyaluronic acid work well. If you have breakouts, look for products with salicylic acid, and use sunscreen labeled non-comedogenic.

Combination skin: Treat zones differently. Use a gentle foaming cleanser and apply a lighter moisturizer on the T-zone and a thicker one on dry cheeks. Blotting papers can help midday shine without over-washing.

Sensitive skin: Stick to fragrance-free, simple formulas. Use a minimal routine—cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Patch-test new products on the inner forearm for a few days before full-face use.

Normal skin: You’re lucky. Keep it consistent: gentle cleanser, light moisturizer, and daily SPF. Add targeted treatments (like a vitamin C serum) if you want to address tone or aging.

One more practical tip: sunscreen is non-negotiable. A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher protects every skin type from premature aging and sun damage. If you prefer natural topical options, see our guide on tansy essential oil and its proper dilution for safe use.

If you have persistent issues—severe acne, unexplained redness, or sudden changes—book a visit with a dermatologist. A quick exam can save time and stop the wrong treatments from making things worse. Now pick one small change from this page and try it for two weeks; you’ll see what works for your skin type.