How to Identify My Skin Type + Try Our Skin Type Quiz

Are you someone who struggles to find skincare products that work correctly on your skin? Perhaps you are struggling because you don’t know your specific skin type. Here are some helpful tips to identify your skin type or click here to take our skin type quiz!

Types of skin: Please note, according to skin expert Toby Dash—founder of fivestarskincare.co—every individual’s skin type does change over time. Various factors can cause a change in skin type: hormones, aging, change of seasons, and the medications we take. During the winter season, for instance, he says due to prolonged exposure to cold air, it often results in dry and flaky skin. Certain skincare products will be more necessary during the winter.

Related articles: Changing Skincare Products: From Winter to Spring

Normal skin: (The well-balanced skin type) This skin type has the perfect balance of being not too oily, and not too dry. Sensitivity is low and because of this, your pores will not be clearly visible. Very few imperfections would be found and you will likely have a radiant complexion.

Oily skin: This skin type will appear as the most visible—your complexion will be shiny or dull; prone to blackheads and pimples or other visible blemishes. Pores will be fully exposed and larger than other skin types. Much of this is due to the skin containing higher levels of fat and oils.

Dry skin: This skin type will appear to have widespread red blemishing, very flaky and or dry to the touch texture. Pores will likely not be visible, though the complexion will appear rougher. This skin type does contain a significant lack of elasticity.

Sensitive skin: This skin type is very reactive—redness, itchiness, irritation—your skin is highly prone to react to things that come into contact with it. Consulting a dermatologist is the best way to confirm any skin type, but certainly for sensitive skin types.

Combination skin: Your skin can be normal in large areas, but dry and oily in others. The T-zone area (forehead, and chin) can appear to be more or less oily. This is the most common skin type. Pores in the oily areas of the skin will appear more open and larger. The most common visible appearance for this skin type is characterized by blackheads.

Related articles: 4 Seasonal Skincare Tips

Methods to determine your skin type: According to skin expert Toby Dash

Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and warm water. Leave your skin untouched for about an hour without anything applied to it. With clean hands, gently take a tissue and pat the skin—then feel with your clean fingers:

• If there is no itching, dryness, or redness you have normal skin.
• If you feel your skin is greasy, shiny, oily, and feeling wetter you have oily skin.
• If you feel your entire face feels dry and itchy you have dry skin.
• If your skin becomes red, dry, irritated after washing you have sensitive skin.
• Finally, if your T-zone is oily but your cheeks are dry, you have combination skin.

*Make sure that your beauty/skincare routine caters to your specific skin type. Combination skin types often require more maintenance in certain areas of the face. Your dermatologist can also give you confirmation as to your specific skin type and point you in the best direction for skincare products.

Try this: The Balanced Skin Collection

Factors of changing skin types: *Briefly explained above

According to dermatologist Dr. Khan, he says that various factors can impact the change in skin types:

• Genetics: the skin you were born with/developing
• Local environmental conditions you are living in: climate, weather, etc.
• Hormonal status of your body: women going through menopause—fluctuation of hormones, puberty etc.
• Skin aging: elasticity of the skin, lack of collagen etc.
• Diet: avoid fast foods—a high glycemic load diet—which can cause inflammation and increase the oil in your skin.

Classification of skin types by dermatologist: How doctors test the skin

• Skin hydration retention
• Production of skin oil
• Skin elasticity
• The sensitivity level of your skin

According to Dr. Khan, every skin type has its changes. Stating that not only a proper skincare routine and a nutritionally sufficient diet is required for your skin health, but can play a key role to your skin health.

Overview: Feel free to test your skin type on your own. Be sure to always have clean hands whenever touching the face. Don’t be discouraged if you fall under a less common skin type. Every person’s skin is unique and it is best to consult with your dermatologist for an examination. Dermatologists can best direct you to skincare products appropriate for your skin.

Understand the factors of what causes changes in skin types—the environment is often overlooked. A cold environment can easily irritate and increase dryness to the skin which may result in issues such as Eczema. Be careful and aware of the skin products you apply to your skin—always do your research, take the time to learn your body, and don’t be ashamed of your skin type. Beauty is met when you feel comfortable in your own skin.

Sources:
What Are Skin Types and how to tell which one you have? – nattoral
Skin Types and Care: Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive (webmd.com)
Dermatologist, Dr. Farooq Tajammal Khan
Toby Dash founder of fivestarskincare.co

Written by Haleigh Couture
Photo by ELIZAVETA CHAYKO from Pexels