One of the easiest ways to love the skin you’re in, is to know what kind of skin you’re in. Generally speaking, there are five basic skin types: normal, oily, dry, sensitive and combination. If you have been unsure which to identify with, you might actually have a mix of types in different areas of your skin. Also, keep in mind that skin types can evolve, and that they are dependent on a variety of internal and external factors. Among them is water content (which dictates the elasticity in your skin), lipid content (which, if higher, means skin will be softer and healthier), and sensitivity levels (which will make you tolerant or not to potential allergens).
Here, a breakdown of each skin type plus our recommendations for the two hero products (including one cleanser per skin type) you cannot live without.
Normal
Here’s How You Know: If your skin has a natural glow, small-sized pores and few visible dry or oily patches you most likely have a normal skin type. Women with normal skin have a good mix of water and lipids and no major sensitivities. Caring for it means keeping this nearly perfect balance intact, and providing nourishing ingredients to maintain skin health.
Here’s What You Need: Those people with normal skin should use lightweight formulas packed with antioxidants and other good-for-you ingredients to keep it looking glowy and break out-free. As far as cleansing, we recommend DHC’s olive oil-infused Deep Pore Cleanser, as it keeps your gorgeous skin looking glowy and healthy with a dose of vitamins and protective antioxidants. Add a light layer of hydration with Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil, which will infuse your complexion with ingredients like almond oil and Vitamins A and C to stimulate collagen production and protect skin from free radicals.
Oily
Here’s How You Know: If you have larger sized pores and a complexion that feels thicker than most, you are considered oily. Your skin produces more than enough moisture, but because of that you have a tendency to break out or feel shiny throughout the day. One major benefit for those with oily skin types is they tend to be naturally averse to wrinkles. Keeping oily skin in check revolves around a consistent skin care regimen including scrubs, toners and ultra light moisturizers.
Here’s What You Need: Cleanse your skin with clay-infused face washes that will help clear out pores and keep shine at bay. We love BareMinerals Clay Chameleon Transforming Purifying Cleanser to detoxify and brighten the look of your skin with mineral-rich sea salt and papaya extract. After cleansing and before bed, apply Figs and Rouge’s Invisible Pores Night Detox Serum, designed to refine skin texture and shrink pores. As a rule, opt for oil-free formulas, as well as avoiding heavy balms.
Dry
Here’s How You Know: If your skin feels thin with a tendency towards flaking, itching and red patches, you may be a dry skin type. Defined by a matte, sometimes rough texture and nearly undetectable pores, those with dry skin have more of a tendency towards wrinkles. Keep your dry skin as nourished as possible by using mild cleansers and uber hydrating night creams that help thicken your skin with vitamins and potent natural ingredients.
Here’s What You Need: We recommend using GLAMGLOW ThirstyCleanse Daily Hydrating Cleanser nightly to deliver ingredients like apple fruit extract and olive fruit oil to skin. Another dry skin formula we love is Lumene Purity Dew Drops, which comes packed with Pro Vitamin B5 and Nordic Birch Sap and Pure Arctic Spring, set in a proprietary technology that offers skin continuous hydration throughout the day.
Sensitive
Here’s How You Know: Sensitive skin is reactive skin. This may be due to allergies, hormonal and seasonal changes or other reactive agents like certain detergents. If your skin has a tendency to be red, dry or even feel like it’s burning at times, you may be a sensitive skin type. If you’re wondering what it is that makes you itch, it’s due to reactivity factors like acne, rosacea or contact dermatitis, which can be identified through a dermatologist visit.
Here’s What You Need: To treat sensitivity and redness, avoid skincare that has essential oils or fragrance, both of which can cause unpleasant reactions on that gorgeous face of yours. Try this super clean skincare duo from Babor: the brand’s HY-OL Cleansing Oil and Daily Calming Cream. Filled with non-irritating, skin-soothing ingredients like soybean and Alpine stem cells, you’ll feel refreshed and protected from future outbreaks.
Combination
Here’s How You Know: People with combination skin tend to have patches of dryness vs. oiliness on their complections. This skincare category usually comes in the form of a shiny T-Zone (nose, forehead and chin) area and flakey spots on and around the cheeks. If you are prone to breakouts, blackheads and/or congested pores, you may be a combination skin type. Caring for this type of skin means having products on hand that work for your specific needs, and embracing gentle, skin-balancing ingredients.
Here’s What You Need: Keeping your combination skin involves infusing it with nutrients and being prepared to deal with breakouts should they happen. We recommend Sunday Riley’s Blue Moon Tranquility Cleansing Balm, which is super gentle so as not to irritate dry patches, and filled with ingredients like mimosa flower wax, blue tansy and German chamomile. And if you’re feeling a bump come on, get your hands on Mario Badescu’s cult-favorite Drying Cream, as it works wonders to powerfully fight pimples and rebalance trouble spots, helping promote a more even skin tone.
By Belisa Silva