What Is My Skin Type?
Quick Answer: Your skin type is determined by how much sebum your skin produces, its sensitivity level, and just its overall condition. The five main skin types are normal, oily, dry, combination, and sensitive skin. You can identify your skin type through simple at-home tests like the bare-faced test or the blotting sheet method.
Understanding your skin type is the basis of effective skincare. Whether you're dealing with unexpected breakouts, persistent dryness, or just can't seem to find products that work, knowing how to identify your skin type is the first step toward achieving your healthiest complexion.
Key Takeaway: Your skin type isn't set in stone, it can change with age, climate, hormones, and lifestyle. That's why learning to check your skin type regularly ensures you are consistently giving it what it needs to keep it in the best shape!
What Is My Skin Type?
The Problem: Most people use skincare products without knowing their skin. This can lead to ineffective routines and even potential skin damage.
The Solution: Learn to know your skin, it's the key to avoiding common mistakes that can damage your skin barrier and worsen existing concerns. Understanding whether you have oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or normal skin, can determine which formulations work with your skin, not against it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Treating symptoms rather than addressing the root of your skin problems
- Following trends that may be unsuitable for your specific skin
- Using heavy, oil-based moisturisers on oily skin (can lead to clogged pores)
- Using harsh, stripping cleansers on dry skin (increases sensitivity and dehydration)
Expert Insight: Professional skin analysis reveals that most people misidentify their skin type. This can lead to treating symptoms rather than addressing their skin's actual needs. This is why understanding the characteristics of each skin type and how to identify your skin type accurately is so important.
The 5 Main Skin Types
- Normal Skin
Characteristics: Well-balanced, minimal concerns, not overly oily or dry, rarely sensitive.
Main Care Tip: Focus on maintenance and protection rather than treatment.
Best Products: Focus on supporting your skin's natural balance with gentle, effective products like Image Skincare ORMEDIC Balancing Biopeptide Crème. This contains organic plant oils and hyaluronic acid to support ongoing skin health.
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- Oily Skin
Characteristics: Shiny appearance, larger pores, prone to breakouts, excess sebum production.
Main Care Tip: Control oil without over-drying to prevent rebound oil production.
Best Products: Image Skincare's CLEAR CELL products help manage excess sebum and prevent breakouts while keeping skin balanced.
- Dry Skin
Characteristics: Tight feeling, flaky or rough texture, dull appearance, prone to irritation.
Main Care Tip: Focus on more intense hydration and barrier repair.
Best Products: Intense hydration is important, so look for rich creams and serums that restore your skin's natural moisture barrier. Because this skin type lacks adequate moisture and oil, it's vulnerable to irritation and premature aging.
- Combination Skin
Characteristics: Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), dry or normal cheeks, mixed concerns.
Main Care Tip: Use balanced products that address multiple needs with trying not to over-treat.
Best Products: Combination skin is oily in some areas (typically the T-zone) and dry or normal in others (usually the cheeks). This skin type requires a more balanced approach since you're essentially caring for multiple skin types on one face. Gentle, lightweight products that address both concerns without over-treating any area work best.
- Sensitive Skin
Characteristics: Can be more easily irritated, prone to reacting to new products, stinging or burning sensations, redness.
Main Care Tip: Choose gentle, fragrance-free formulations and always patch test.
Best Products: Sensitive skin is easily irritated and may react to new products with stinging, burning, or flushing. This skin type requires gentle, fragrance-free formulations with minimal ingredients. Always patch test new products and introduce them gradually to try avoid reactions.
How to determine 'What Is My Skin Type?' with Image Skincare Ireland
Method 1: The Bare-Faced Test (Most Accurate)
- Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser
- Pat dry and don't apply any products
- Wait 30 minutes
- Examine your skin:
- Tight feeling = Dry skin
- Shine on T-zone = Oily or combination skin
- Comfortable with minimal shine = Normal skin
- Any irritation or redness = Sensitive skin
Method 2: The Blotting Sheet Test
- Press a clean blotting sheet against different areas of your face
- Check oil absorption:
- Little to no oil = Dry skin
- Oil from entire face = Oily skin
- Oil only from T-zone = Combination skin
Method 3: Visual and Texture Analysis Look for these common clues:
- Enlarged pores = typically oily skin
- Flaking or roughness = dry skin
- Redness or irritation = sensitive skin
- Even tone and smooth texture = normal skin
Pro Tip: How can I check 'What Is My Skin Type?' most accurately? Combine multiple methods and observe your skin over several days for the most reliable assessment.
Best Practices by Skin Type (Product Recommendations)
Normal Skin Care Routine
Priority: Maintain balance with gentle cleansers, lightweight moisturisers, and regular exfoliation. Look for products with hyaluronic acid and peptides to preserve your skin's health. Our VITAL C Anti-Aging Hydrating Serum is perfect for maintaining radiant, healthy skin while providing anti-aging benefits.
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Oily Skin Care Routine
Priority: Oil control without over-drying. Choose gel-based or foam cleansers, lightweight serums, and oil-free moisturisers. Key ingredients include: salicylic acid, niacinamide, and benzoyl peroxide.
Dry Skin Care Routine
Priority: Focus on intense hydration and barrier repair. Cream-based cleansers, rich moisturizers, and hydrating serums are essential. Look for ceramides, glycerin, and botanical oils to restore moisture. Consider adding a high-performance serum like our IMAGE MD® Restoring Power-C Serum for plumping and vitamin C benefits.
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Combination Skin Care Routine
Priority: Try to use versatile products that address multiple concerns. Gentle gel cleansers, such as the ORMEDIC Balancing Facial Cleanser, lightweight moisturisers, and targeted treatments for specific areas work best.
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Sensitive Skin Care Routine
Priority: Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products with minimal ingredients. Avoid harsh actives and always patch test new products.
Every routine should include a broad-spectrum sunscreen from DAILY PREVENTION, including eight formulas to choose from depending on your skin type and concerns.
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When to See a Professional (Expert Consultation Guide)
Signs You Need Professional Help:
Persistent skin concerns despite proper home care
Uncertainty about your skin type after trying multiple assessment methods
Skin reactions to multiple products
Desire for advanced treatments or personalised regimens
While at-home skin analysis is helpful, a professional consultation can offer deeper insights into your skin's needs.
Benefits of Professional Analysis:
Advanced diagnostic tools and techniques
Customised treatment plans
Professional-grade products and procedures
Ongoing monitoring and adjustments
Professional facial treatments for different skin types can address specific concerns more effectively than at-home care alone. Find an IMAGE Skincare Ireland professional near you to book a treatment.
Listen to Your Skin And Adapt Your Routine Accordingly
Important Reality: Your skin type will change throughout your life due to hormones, climate, age, and lifestyle factors. What worked in your twenties might not be suitable in your forties.
Signs Your Skin Type May Be Changing:
Increased oiliness or dryness
New sensitivity to previously tolerated products
Changes in texture or appearance
Different reactions to weather or environmental factors
Monitoring Tips:
Reassess your skin type every season
Pay attention to how your skin responds to products
Note any changes during hormonal fluctuations
Adjust your routine based on life changes (new climate, age, stress levels)
Remember, achieving 100% clear skin is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and the right products for your specific needs. Understanding that your skin type can evolve helps you stay adaptable and responsive to your skin's changing needs.
