Have you ever felt that your skin is unpredictably dry or excessively oily, and none of your skincare products seem to work? This common frustration often stems from using the wrong skin serum and moisturiser, which can worsen your skin's condition. The first step towards a solution is understanding your true skin type, which is influenced by hormonal shifts, weather changes, the products you use, and your skin's unique reactions.
The Four Primary Skin Types
Skin is broadly categorised into four main types: oily, dry, sensitive, and combination. If you're unsure where you fit, don't worry. You can easily identify your skin type with a few straightforward home tests that require no special equipment.
1. The Blotting Paper Test
This simple method helps determine your skin's oiliness level. Take a piece of blotting paper and gently press it against different areas of your face, such as the forehead, nose, and cheeks.
If the paper quickly absorbs oil and shows a greasy mark, you likely have oily skin. If it picks up very little oil, it indicates low sebum production, characteristic of dry skin. When oil is absorbed from the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) but not much from the cheeks, you have combination skin. Finally, minimal oil absorption with balanced sebum points to normal skin.
2. The Touch Test
Wash your face, wait for an hour, and then carefully feel different areas with your fingers. Assess the texture and moisture levels.
A slick and greasy feel, especially in the T-zone, signifies oily skin. A sensation of tightness, roughness, or flakiness suggests dry skin due to moisture deficiency. An oily T-zone with normal cheeks is the hallmark of combination skin. If your skin reacts with redness or irritation to touch, you probably have sensitive skin. A smooth, comfortable feel without extremes means you have normal skin.
3. The Visual Inspection Test
Stand in bright, natural light and closely examine your skin's appearance and texture in a mirror.
Look for a shiny T-zone with visibly large pores for oily skin. Tightness, rough patches, and flakiness that give a dull appearance indicate dry skin. Visible oil and pores in the T-zone contrasted with drier or normal cheeks mean combination skin. A consistent, even texture and colouration without excessive shine are signs of normal skin.
Why Knowing Your Skin Type Matters
Identifying your correct skin type is the foundational step in building an effective skincare routine. Using products formulated for your specific needs—like a non-comedogenic serum for oily skin or a rich moisturiser for dry skin—can transform your skin's health. It prevents the aggravation caused by mismatched products and helps you nurture your skin accordingly, leading to a clearer, more balanced, and healthier complexion.
