Back to Skin Series — Step Three: Skin Types & How to Identify Yours

Your skin type is the foundation of every product choice you make. It decides what cleansers suit you, which moisturiser will actually help, how often you should exfoliate, and which treatments will give you results rather than reactions.

Most people think they know their skin type… but many are using products for the wrong one.

This chapter gives you a calm, clear, science‑led way to understand your skin type — and how to support it through the seasons, stress, hormones and age.

🌸 First: Skin Type vs Skin Condition (They Are Not the Same)

This is the biggest misunderstanding in skincare.

Skin Type

Your skin type is genetic. It’s your baseline — how your skin behaves most of the time.

Skin types include:

• Oily

• Dry

• Combination

• Normal

• Sensitive (sometimes classed as a condition, but many people have genetically sensitive skin)

Skin Condition

Your skin condition is temporary. It changes with:

• stress

• hormones

• weather

• medication

• lifestyle

• barrier damage

• age

Conditions include:

• dehydration

• breakouts

• redness

• dullness

• sensitivity

• congestion

Many people treat a condition as their type — and end up using the wrong products.

🌿 The Five Main Skin Types

Below is a clear, client‑friendly breakdown of each skin type, how it behaves, and what it needs.

✨ 1. Oily Skin

Oily skin produces more sebum than it needs. This is genetic — not caused by “dirty skin”.

How it behaves:

• shiny throughout the day

• visible pores

• prone to congestion

• makeup slides off

• breakouts more common

What it needs:

• gentle, pH‑balanced cleansing

• lightweight hydration

• oil‑balancing ingredients (niacinamide, salicylic acid)

• consistent routine

• not stripping products (they make oil worse)

🌸 2. Dry Skin

Dry skin lacks oil — not water. This is a true skin type, not dehydration.

How it behaves:

• tightness

• flaking

• rough texture

• fine lines more visible

• makeup looks patchy

• rarely breaks out

What it needs:

• lipid‑rich moisturisers

• ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids

• gentle cleansing

• minimal fragrance

• consistent barrier support

🌿 3. Combination Skin

The most common skin type. Oily in some areas, dry or normal in others.

How it behaves:

• oily T‑zone

• dry cheeks

• occasional breakouts

• makeup separates in different areas

What it needs:

• balanced hydration

• targeted products (not one-size-fits-all)

• gentle exfoliation

• barrier support

🌼 4. Normal Skin

Normal skin is balanced — not too oily, not too dry.

How it behaves:

• minimal sensitivity

• few breakouts

• even texture

• comfortable year-round

What it needs:

• simple, consistent routine

• seasonal adjustments

• antioxidant protection

• SPF

🌸 5. Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin reacts easily — genetically or due to barrier damage.

How it behaves:

• redness

• stinging

• flushing

• tightness

• reactions to fragrance or actives

What it needs:

• fragrance-free products

• barrier repair

• slow introduction of actives

• calming ingredients (aloe, centella, oat)

🌿 How to Identify Your Skin Type (A Simple At‑Home Test)

This is the method I use in consultations — and it works beautifully at home.

Step 1: Cleanse

Use a gentle cleanser. Pat dry. Do not apply anything else.

Step 2: Wait 45 minutes

Let your skin settle naturally.

Step 3: Observe

• Shiny all over? → Oily

• Shiny T‑zone, dry cheeks? → Combination

• Tight, dull, flaky? → Dry

• Comfortable, balanced? → Normal

• Red, reactive, stinging? → Sensitive

Step 4: Touch

• If your skin feels rough → dry

• If your skin feels slick → oily

• If your skin feels comfortable → normal

• If your skin feels tight → dehydrated (condition, not type)

🌸 Why Your Skin Type Changes With Age

Your skin type is genetic — but its expression changes.

As you age:

• oil production decreases

• barrier becomes weaker

• hydration drops

• collagen declines

• sensitivity increases

This is why many people move from oily → combination → dry as they get older.

🌿 Why Knowing Your Skin Type Matters

When you know your skin type, you can:

• choose the right cleanser

• pick the right moisturiser

• exfoliate safely

• avoid reactions

• save money

• get better results

• choose treatments that actually work

It’s the foundation of healthy skin.

And if you’re unsure, a professional consultation removes the guesswork.