How to Determine Your Skin Type
From the practice
If you want to build the best skincare routine for your skin, the most important thing you need to know and understand is your skin type. Your skin is your body’s largest organ — it’s complex, so you should learn how it responds to different environments and skincare products.
Using products that do not suit your skin can leave it feeling dry, oily, or irritated. Understanding how your skin responds is a useful starting point when choosing a routine.
Here’s more information about the five skin types and how to determine yours, directly from the expert team at Skin Med Spa.
What are the skin types?
Common descriptions include dry, oily, combination, normal, and sensitive skin. The American Academy of Dermatology uses these descriptions to help people choose products. Sensitivity can also occur alongside dryness or oiliness.
Dry skin
Dry skin doesn’t have enough oil in it. It may look dull and feel tight. If your dryness is bad enough, your skin can start flaking, peeling, or cracking.
Oily skin
This is the opposite problem — your skin is producing too much oil, which makes your skin appear shiny or greasy. People with oily skin are also more prone to breakouts because the oil leads to more clogged pores.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin has a heightened sensitivity to stressors, including skincare products. The amounts of sensitivity can vary, but symptoms can include redness, itching, and general discomfort.
Combination skin
Combination skin occurs when you have two or more defining skin characteristics in different areas, such as dryness and oiliness.
Normal skin
Normal skin is well-balanced and doesn’t display any consistent skin problems.
How can you determine your skin type?
You can start by noticing how your skin looks and feels after washing with a mild cleanser. Tightness, shine, and a mix of oily and dry areas can offer clues. This is a rough observation, not a diagnosis; do not leave irritated skin without moisturizer just to complete a test.
Tight or flaky areas may suggest dryness, while persistent shine may suggest oiliness. Both can occur on the same face. Stinging, burning, or redness after a product deserves attention rather than being treated as a definitive skin-type test.
Blotting paper can show where oil is present, but a single result does not establish your skin type. Products, weather, and recent washing can affect what you notice. If irritation persists or you are unsure about a rash, see a dermatologist.
Once you know your skin type, you can develop a skincare routine that brings out the best in your skin. If you would like guidance on what will work best for your skin type, the team at Skin Med Spa is here to help. Feel free to call the office or book your own appointment online, and we’ll have you well on your way to amazing skin!
Our team sees patients at Skin Med Spa, 960 Warren Ave. in Downers Grove, Illinois. Every plan starts with a consultation. Call 630-541-8413 to schedule one.
This is general information, not medical advice. Whether a treatment is right for you is determined by a licensed provider after an evaluation.