Determining your skin type can be a challenging task. Let’s demystify it!
Generally speaking, skin can be classified into five broad types depending on oil production: normal, oily, dry, combination and mature skin types. Sometimes a sixth category is added: combination dry skin versus combination oily skin. Sensitive skin (sometimes seen as a skin type) is included as an honorable mention but keep in mind anyone can have allergies and sensitivities to different ingredients and product types.
There are a few ways to know which of the five is your skin type. Let’s go over some characteristics.
Normal Skin
Normal skin has a few indicators. Normally (pun intended) if you have it, your skin almost always looks flawless. Not only that, but your pores are invisible. Say what?! Yes, they are very difficult to see even if you are nearsighted. This skin type hardly ever breaks out. As a licensed skin specialist, this skin type is always amusing to encounter. When I ask my clients if they get any breakouts and what products they are using, I might hear that they are using nothing more than cheap bar soap on their facial skin and their skin looks amazing! Are you jealous yet?
Oily Skin
Oily skin is characterized by having more than enough oil production. The excess oil production helps it appear thick and shiny with large pores. It is prone to breakouts and clogged pores, but once you figure out an appropriate skincare regimen this skin type can look young for a long time. How so? The excess oil keeps it dewy and supple, which is typical in younger skin.
Combination Oily Skin
For the longest time, I knew my skin had to be oily or combination oily based on the oil slick I would develop by the middle of the day right on the center of my face. Geesh! Acne became a major problem when my hormones changed during that time of the month. During the winter months, the cold dry weather seemed to play a role in controlling my oil production. Little did I know, my skin was actually dehydrated. If that story sounds all too familiar, maybe you too have combination oily skin (or oily skin, if you are unsure). Pore structure on combination oily skin will be larger on the oily parts of the skin. The t-zone tends to be the oiliest part of the face while the cheeks are normal skin. Combination skin types are considered the most common skin type.
Dry Skin
Dry skin can be tricky to identify, but here are some clues. Dry skin tends to have smaller pores than oily skin but bigger pores than normal skin. You might be wondering why it would have bigger sized pores than normal skin. Let me explain. Dry skin is dry because it lacks oil and so the top layers of the skin which are mostly composed of dead skin cells have nothing to lubricate and soften the pore structure consequently making it crinkle a little more on the edges. The result is visible pores that are not oily. Typically if there is no sheen, there is no oil. Dry skin also may be more prone to fine lines and wrinkles and may even look thin and delicate.
Combination Dry Skin
Just like combination oily skin, combination dry skin tends to have areas that are normal skin and areas that are dry skin. These areas can vary but typically having dry patches over the cheeks may be more common. Also, let’s not forget that this is a combination skin type, so it can be very common.
Mature Skin
The aging process increases dryness in our skin, no matter the type we start with. Mature skin can look crepe-like, lacking elasticity and firmness. Skin that has been overexposed to the sun can also show signs of premature aging as fine lines and wrinkles become more prominent.
Honorable Mention: Sensitive Skin
Sometimes confused with reactive skin that turns pink or red when caressed, sensitive skin may react to fragrances or other ingredients in products by getting itchy or irritated. Anyone can develop sensitivities to any one ingredient, but it is not always known.