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Some mornings I wake up, wash my face, and still don’t know what skin I have. Is it oily? Dry? Sensitive? Combination? Because every product says “for all skin types” but my cheeks feel tight, my T zone shines, and my skin gets red over nothing. Guessing wrong has cost me irritation, clogged pores, overpriced creams, and a seriously messy cupboard. 🫠
This post is what I wish I’d had years ago. I’ll walk you through what skin types are really, simple tests you can do at home (without fancy gadgets), how your skin type changes, and how to choose routines/products that actually work. No fluff. Just skin that finally behaves. ✨
Why It Matters to Know Your Skin Type
• Your skin type affects everything — what cleanser you use, how often, what moisturiser texture, what actives you can tolerate. 🧴
• If you use a product for the “wrong” skin type (say heavy cream on oily skin, or foam wash on dry sensitive skin), you might see more breakouts, more irritation, more tightness. 🚫
• Skin type isn’t set in stone — seasons, hormones, environment, stress can change it. So knowing right now helps, and re checking over time matters. Recent studies using skin type questionnaires show that many people’s “type” shifts across years. 🔄
• Feels tight after washing.
• Shows flaky patches or dry texture. ❄️
• Often dull, maybe fine lines more visible.
• Skin gets shiny, especially in T zone. ✨
• Larger pores, breakouts or blackheads show often.
• Might feel slick or greasy.
• Some parts (cheeks, jaw) feel dry; others (forehead, nose) oily/shiny.
• Zones behave differently — some react with breakouts, some with tight patches. 🔀
• Reacts easily: redness, sting/burn, irritation after even mild products. ⚠️
• Might feel tight, tingle, flare up with change in weather/products.
• Neither too oily nor too dry.
• Comfortable, minimal irritation, easier to maintain. 💆♀️
These are cheap/zero cost, but surprisingly powerful. 🧪
• “Bare Face / Watch & Wait” test: wash gently, pat dry, then wait 30 minutes without any product. Observe: does skin feel tight? Look shiny? Which zones? This gives clues. (If you see oil everywhere → oily; dry & tight everywhere → dry; mixed → combo.) 🔍
• Blotting sheet/tissue test: after waiting 30 minutes post wash, press tissue/blotting sheet on different areas (forehead, cheeks, chin). Amount of oil tells type.
• Feel / Texture test: gently touch skin. Are patches rough? Smooth? Is skin sensitive to touch, products? 👆
• Reaction test: use a new mild product for a couple of nights, see if skin flares, stings or stays calm.
• Seasons (cold dry, hot humid) shift how your skin behaves. ☀️❄️• Hormonal changes (periods, pregnancy, menopause) can increase oil or sensitivity. 🌀• Stress, lack of sleep, diet changes can weaken barrier, making skin seem drier or more reactive. 🛌🍫• Environment: pollution, air conditioning, water hardness matter. 🌫️💨
Here’s what works better depending on your skin type. Trust me, my shelf learnt this the hard way. 💸
• If Dry: use gentle non foaming cleanser, richer moisturiser creams, maybe oils/occlusives, avoid harsh scrubs.
• If Oily / Acne Prone: gel or lightweight cleansers, non comedogenic moisturisers, lightweight serums, avoid heavy occlusives.
• If Combination: use mixed routine: richer in dry areas, lighter in oily ones. Maybe two moisturisers.
• If Sensitive: minimal products, fragrance free, patch test anything new, barrier support (ceramides, oat, etc.).
• If Normal / Balanced: maintain with gentle cleanser, moderate hydration, simple routine; you have more leeway but don’t ignore sunscreen/antioxidants. ☂️
• Myth: “If my skin is oily I shouldn’t moisturise” → wrong. Even oily skin needs hydration; lack of it can trigger more oil. 😮• Mistake: listening to influencers rather than observing your skin. What works for someone else (or someone with different skin type) might irritate you.• Mistake: over washing to “dry out” oil. This damages the barrier and worsens oiliness or irritation. 💧• Mistake: ignoring that skin type may change — seasonal changes, hormones, diet etc. 🔄
Here’s a cheat sheet I use when someone asks: 📝
• If you try tests/routines for a couple of weeks and still get constant irritation, breakouts or dryness.• If your skin type seems wildly different day to day, or you suspect medical issues like eczema / rosacea / dermatitis. 🧑⚕️• If you want stronger actives, personalized serums, or diagnosis for pigmentation, oil imbalance etc. A dermatologist or skin expert can map your skin type + concerns properly. 🧬
Figuring out your skin type is like learning your skin’s language. Once you understand what it really is — its oil level, its sensitivity, how it responds — you stop wasting money on creams that don’t help. 💸
Observe, test gently, adjust when things change. Do the little tests. Pick products that feel good. And give your skin the routine that actually respects what it is. Your skin deserves that kind of respect. 💖