What Is Your Skin Type?

There are five main skin types. Each type has distinct characteristics and needs that affect how the skin looks and feels. Once you know your skin type, you can build a skin-care routine that addresses your concerns to keep your skin healthy.

Not sure about your skin type? Here, learn more about the five skin types and how to care for each.

Your skin type is based on factors like moisture level, oiliness, and sensitivity. It’s often determined by genetics but can change with age, health conditions, nutrient deficiencies, and more.

• Normal
• Oily
• Dry
• Combination
• Sensitive

Here, we’ll focus on the five skin types outlined by the AAD. It’s a great start in learning more about your skin.

• Active Ingredients Active ingredients are those that are added to a product to treat a specific skin concern, and different skin types may have different requirements.

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   For example, if you have dry skin, you might look for a moisturizer with hydrating active ingredients like ceramides, lactic acid, or glycerol.

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• Ingredients to Avoid Some ingredients can create or worsen skin issues, depending on your skin type. For example, sensitive skin types may want to avoid products with fragrances.

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• Consistency Your skin type may determine whether you choose lotion, cream, gel, or foam products. "Across the board, a lot of the active ingredients for a good skin-care regimen are the same, but the vehicle can greatly impact your experience using that product," Dr. Hartman says. For example, people with oily skin may prefer lighter creams and gels than heavier creams.

If you aren't sure of your skin type, Hartman recommends the bare-face skin type test. This at-home method is often the easiest to interpret and leads to the most accurate assessment, he says.

To do the bare-face test, follow these steps:

1. Wash your face with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
2. Pat your skin dry.
3. Don’t apply any face products.
4. Wait 30 minutes and look in the mirror.

If your skin appears shiny, your skin is likely oily. If you see oil exclusively in the T-zone (the forehead, nose, and chin), you may have combination skin, Hartman says. Skin that feels tight is likely dry, and skin with no notable characteristics is normal.

Still unsure? Learn more about the different skin types and what skin-care approaches tend to work best for each.

If You Have Normal Skin …

Normal skin tends to be balanced — neither oily nor dry. At its healthiest, normal skin is smooth, radiant, and hydrated, with no inflammation, says Baumann.

• Wash twice daily with a gentle cleanser
• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen in the morning
• Moisturize at night

Those with normal skin can apply just about any product or ingredient without developing issues, Hartman says.

That may not be all you need, depending on your life stage or skin concern like discolorations or fine lines and wrinkles. You might choose additional products to brighten or stimulate the production of collagen (a type of protein) to address lines.

If You Have Dry Skin …

• Environment Deodorant soaps and harsh cleaning products strip moisturizing oils and fats from the skin. Cold, dry climates or a job that requires frequent handwashing or harsh chemicals (such as nursing, cooking, and housekeeping) also makes the skin prone to dryness.
• Medications Dry skin is a potential side effect of certain medications, such as statins and diuretics.
• Health Conditions Diabetes, thyroid disease, and kidney disease can cause excessively dry skin. In addition, dry skin is a common symptom of skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), psoriasis, ichthyosis, and seborrheic dermatitis (scalp eczema).
• Nutrient Deficiencies Skin needs vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. If you don’t get the vitamin D, vitamin A, niacin, zinc, or iron your skin needs, it can become dry.
• Age As we get older, our skin makes less sebum (an oil that hydrates and softens skin), with a dramatic drop by the age of 40. Skin that produces less oil is more prone to dryness.
• Skin Color People with brown, black, or fair skin are more likely to have dry skin that those with a medium complexion.

In general, dry skin is best suited to cleansers and moisturizers that include ceramides, the building blocks of the skin barrier, Hartman says. When choosing moisturizers and sunscreens, look for thicker formulas like oils, ointments, and creams.

Hartman advises that dry skin types avoid alcohol-based products because they can worsen dryness and lead to irritation, bumps, and redness.

If You Have Oily Skin …

"Oily skin has a shiny appearance, and it can feel greasy, particularly in the oil-rich areas of the face called the T-zone," Hartman says.

You may also notice that you have larger pores. The more oil in your skin, the larger the openings tend to be, Hartman explains.

If You Have Combination Skin …

Moisturizers with ceramides are best for drier areas of the face, while products that contain salicylic acid or retinols are ideal for oily spots.

If You Have Sensitive Skin …

If your skin sensitivity is caused by a skin condition like rosacea, consult a board-certified dermatologist for advice on caring for your skin.

• There are five main skin types: Normal, oily, dry, combination, and sensitive.
• Your skin type should guide you in finding skin-care products that address your skin's unique needs.
• The bare-face skin type test is an easy method that can help you figure out what category your skin falls under.
• Consult a board-certified dermatologist for care tips if you have a skin condition like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea.