Knowing your skin type is the first step to buying products that actually work for you. Use the wrong moisturizer or cleanser for your skin and you can end up with more shine, more flakes or more breakouts.
There are five commonly used skin types: oily, dry, combination, normal and sensitive. Sensitive skin is technically more of a condition that can overlap with any type. Here’s how to find yours in under an hour.
Test 1: The bare-face test
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry.
- Don’t apply any products.
- Wait 30 minutes to an hour.
- Look in the mirror and notice how your skin looks and feels.
| What you notice | Likely skin type |
|---|---|
| Shiny all over, especially the forehead, nose and chin | Oily |
| Tight, rough or flaky | Dry |
| Shiny T-zone, normal or dry cheeks | Combination |
| Comfortable, not shiny or tight | Normal |
| Red, itchy or stinging | Sensitive |
Test 2: The blotting paper test
Press a clean blotting sheet on different areas of your face after the bare-face test. Hold it up to the light. Lots of oil all over suggests oily skin; oil only from the T-zone suggests combination; little or no oil suggests dry or normal skin.
What to buy for your skin type
Oily skin
Use a gel or foaming cleanser, a lightweight oil-free moisturizer, and consider niacinamide or salicylic acid. Avoid heavy creams and oils.
- Best moisturizers for oily skin
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% review
- Best skincare for men with oily skin
Dry skin
Use a creamy cleanser, a rich moisturizer with ceramides, and seal it in with an ointment at night if needed. Avoid foaming cleansers and alcohol-heavy products.
Combination skin
Use a gentle cleanser and a lightweight gel-cream. Add extra moisture to dry areas and oil-control products only to your T-zone.
Normal skin
Lucky you. Focus on a simple routine of a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen, and add treatments for any specific concerns.
Sensitive skin
Choose fragrance-free products with short ingredient lists, introduce new products one at a time, and always patch test. Mineral sunscreens are usually best tolerated.
Can your skin type change?
Yes. Hormones, age, climate, pregnancy, medications and even the products you use can shift your skin. Many people get drier with age or in winter. Retest every few months, or whenever your skin starts behaving differently.
FAQ
What’s the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Dry skin lacks oil and is a skin type. Dehydrated skin lacks water and is a temporary condition that can affect any type, even oily skin.
Is acne-prone a skin type?
Not exactly. Acne can happen with any skin type, though it’s more common with oily skin. Choose products for your skin type and add acne-fighting ingredients as needed.
The bottom line
A quick bare-face test tells you most of what you need to know. Once you know your type, build a simple routine around it and add treatments slowly.
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. If you have a persistent skin condition, a reaction that doesn’t settle, or you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with a dermatologist or pharmacist before trying new actives.