First things first. What even is a skin type? It’s not just some random label; it’s the blueprint that helps you choose the right skincare products. The most common way to classify skin types is by oil production a.k.a. how much oil your skin naturally makes.
Understanding this is key because your skin type affects everything. From what kind of cleanser you need to whether a moisturizer will make you glow or break you out. It is especially helpful in choosing the best actives (ingredients) to help your skin issues.
Your skin either:
- Pumps out too much oil (Oily)
- Doesn’t make enough oil (Dry)
- Can’t decide and does both (Combination)
- Chills in the middle (Normal)
Now, let’s figure out yours.
Discover Your Skin Type – The Right Way
Let’s be real — most online skin type quizzes are garbage. They ask random questions like, “Does your skin feel sweaty at 2 p.m.?” (uh, whose doesn’t?) and “Do you glow like a glazed donut by noon?” (Again, relatable if you’ve used certain products). The truth? Your skin’s condition can change depending on several, so those quizzes are just fancy guesswork.
If you actually want to know your real skin type — the one that determines which products won’t wreck your face, you need to do the Face Wash Test.
The Face Wash Test (The Only Accurate Method)
Here’s how to do it:
1️⃣ Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. No exfoliants, no active ingredients, just something basic.
2️⃣ Pat dry. No toner, no moisturizer, no serum. Nada.
3️⃣ Set a timer for 30 – 60 minutes and do nothing.
4️⃣ Observe your skin’s reaction:
- Feels tight and dry? → You have dry skin. This means your skin doesn’t produce enough natural oils.
- Looks shiny all over? → You have oily skin. This means your skin produces too much natural oils.
- Shiny in some areas (like the T-zone) but normal/dry in others? → You have combination skin.
- Feels comfortable—not too oily, not too dry? → You have normal skin.
Bonus Tip: If your skin feels tight and oily, you might be dehydrated, not dry. (Yes, there’s a difference, and yes, that’s why your skincare might not be working.)
That’s it. No trick questions, no overcomplicated quizzes. Just your skin telling you what’s up.
But Wait… What About Sensitive & Dehydrated Skin?
You might’ve noticed that sensitive and dehydrated skin didn’t make the list of skin types. That’s not a mistake. We break this down fully in Unpacking the Most Common Skincare Lie, but here’s the quick version:
When classifying skin by oil production, sensitive and dehydrated skin don’t fit in because they have nothing to do with oil. You can be dry, oily, combination, or normal and still have sensitive or dehydrated skin.
- Sensitive skin = Easily irritated, reacts to products, weather, or even air.
- Dehydrated skin = Lacking water (not oil), making it feel tight, rough, or dull — even if it’s oily.
So, while these conditions matter for your skincare routine, they don’t define your skin type.
So, now that you know your true skin type, are you actually using the right products? 👀
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