What’s Your Skin Type? Take This Easy Test To Find Out
Knowing your skin type can help you learn how to take better care of your skin, develop a skincare regimen that’s right for you, and address any skin concerns you may have. Several factors, like your genetics, environment, and underlying health conditions, can influence your skin type.
Take Health’s skin type test to help you determine whether your skin is dry, oily, combination, normal, or sensitive.
The Different Skin Types
There are five different skin types:
Dry skin: Lacks hydration and has difficulty retaining moisture, which can cause rough, flaky, or itchy patches and redness1
Oily skin: Causes excess sebum (oil) production, which can lead to a shiny or greasy appearance and acne-prone skin2
Combination skin: Produces characteristics of both oily and dry skin, making some areas of your skin feel rough and other areas feel shiny3
Normal skin: Has a healthy balance of moisture and oil production, making it free of rough, greasy, and acne-prone skin3
Sensitive skin: May be prone to burning, turning red, or itching after using products or coming into contact with certain ingredients, climates, and other environmental factors4
Which Skin Type Do You Have?
If you’re interested in learning your skin type, this quiz is for you.
Another way you can test your skin type at home is by washing your face and not applying any products to it for at least 30 minutes. Then, apply blotting paper to your skin. If it stains with oil, you may have oily skin. If it does not stain, you may have normal or dry skin. If your forehead stains the paper but your cheeks don’t, you may have combination skin.5
Why Knowing Your Skin Type Is Important
With so many skincare products on the market, it can be hard to know what’s the best choice. Knowing your skin type can be helpful, as some ingredients may be better for your skin type and any skin concerns you’re experiencing. Once you identify your skin type and learn more about it, you can create a skincare routine that works well for you.
If you have oily skin, that might mean learning how to reduce and manage acne breakouts. If your skin is dry, you’ll want a regimen that keeps your skin hydrated. If you have sensitive skin, knowing what will soothe and calm your skin vs. what will irritate it can make a difference in your daily comfort.
How To Take Care of Your Skin
There are some things experts recommend you do regularly to care for your skin and keep it healthy. Here are some tips for every skin type.
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
One of the most important things you can do for skin health is to protect your skin from being exposed to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. These rays cause sunburn and early signs of aging, like wrinkles and sunspots. UV rays are also a leading risk factor for skin cancer—the most common cancer in the United States.6
To keep your skin safe, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a broad-spectrum (UVA- and UVB-blocking), water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapplying every two hours, as well as after swimming or sweating.7 Beyond this general recommendation, the type of sunscreen you use may depend on your skin type.
If you have dry skin, try a sunscreen with moisturizer or a cream sunscreen. Gel sunscreens are recommended for oily skin, and sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can prevent acne breakouts and may be better tolerated by people with sensitive skin.7
In addition to wearing sunscreen, consider these other sun protection tips:8
Use sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
Wear light and airy sun-protective clothing
Seek shade on hot days
Try a lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your lips
Moisturize Regularly
Keeping your skin hydrated is important for all skin types, although dry and sensitive skin may need a little extra care. Lotions, ointments, and creams all trap moisture in your skin. Moisturize as soon as you wash your hands or face or after bathing to keep dry skin hydrated.9
If you have normal or oily skin, applying lotion after a bath, shower, or face washing is likely enough to keep your skin moisturized. For dry or sensitive skin, you may want an ointment or cream because these products are better at trapping moisture and less likely to irritate the skin than lotions.9
Pick the Right Products
Choosing products with the right ingredients for your skin type is key, especially if you have dry, oily, or sensitive skin. Consider these tips:39
For dry skin:
Avoid products with alcohol, fragrances, and retinoids, as these ingredients can make it harder for your skin to retain its natural oils
Choose gentle cleansing products with no fragrances
Use ointments or creams with ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, lactic acid, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lanolin to add moisture
For oily skin:
Look for oil-free or non-comedogenic products that won’t clog your pores or cause acne
Keep an eye out for oil-free or water-based makeup products if you wear cosmetics
Use a face wash with salicylic acid, as this can help remove excess oil from your pores
For sensitive skin:
Choose gentle cleansers
Avoid products with alcohol, added fragrances or dyes, and retinoids
Try ointments and creams with ingredients that help lock in moisture
Keep your routine simple with a gentle cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer
Everyone’s skin is a little bit different. Even if you have the same skin type, what’s right for you may not work for someone else. Try new products by testing them on a small area of the skin first to make sure you don’t experience irritation or any side effects. Talking to a dermatologist or esthetician can also help you make the right choices for your skincare regimen.
