How to Identify Your Skin Type
Oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or acne-prone? A simple at-home method to figure out what you are actually working with.
Knowing your skin type is the difference between a routine that works and one that fights you. The good news: you can get a reliable read at home in a couple of hours, no gadgets required.
The bare-face test
Wash with a gentle cleanser, then apply nothing. Wait two hours and notice how your skin feels and looks, paying attention to your forehead, nose, and cheeks separately.
- Oily — shine across most of the face, visible on the cheeks too.
- Dry — tightness, flaking, or a rough feel; little to no shine. Often linked to higher water loss.
- Combination — an oily T-zone (forehead and nose) with normal or dry cheeks. Very common.
- Sensitive — stinging, redness, or reactivity to many products regardless of oiliness.
- Acne-prone — a recurring tendency to form clogged pores and breakouts, which can co-exist with any of the above.
Frequently asked
Knowledge check
0 / 2 correct1. An oily T-zone with dry cheeks describes which type?
2. What best defines sensitive skin?
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