Many people believe they know their skin type, but it’s one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of skincare. Using the wrong products can lead to breakouts, dryness, or premature ageing. The good news? With a simple, honest assessment, you can discover your true skin type and start choosing products that actually work for you – like our Concentrated Hyaluronic Serum or UltraDerm Night Cream that suit multiple skin types.
How to Discover Your True Skin Type
Step 1: Understand the Skin Types
Before testing your skin, it helps to know the main categories:
Normal: Balanced, neither too oily nor too dry, with minimal imperfections.
Oily: Shiny, particularly in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), prone to enlarged pores and breakouts.
Dry: Tight, flaky, or rough skin with little natural oil.
Combination: Oily in the T-zone but dry or normal on the cheeks.
Sensitive: Easily irritated, prone to redness, stinging, or itching.
Many people confuse dehydration with dryness – dry skin lacks oil, whereas dehydrated skin lacks water. This guide will help clarify which is which.
Step 2: Cleanse Your Face
- Use a gentle, non-stripping cleanser.
- Pat your skin dry – avoid rubbing.
- Do not apply moisturisers, serums, or treatments.
This neutral baseline lets you observe your skin’s natural behaviour, making it easier to answer the question, “what is my skin type?”
Step 3: Wait and Observe
Wait one hour after cleansing.
Avoid touching your face during this time.
Take note of how your skin feels and looks:
- Tightness: likely dry
- Shine: likely oily
- Comfortable, balanced: likely normal
- Shiny in T-zone but dry elsewhere: likely combination
- Red, itchy, burning: likely sensitive
Step 4: The Blotting Paper Test (Optional but Effective)
1. Take a clean tissue or blotting paper and gently press it on your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin.
2. Examine the paper:
- Little or no oil: normal or dry
- Oil on T-zone only: combination
- Oil everywhere: oily
This visual check confirms your skin’s natural oil production.
Step 5: Keep a Skin Diary
- Track your skin’s behaviour over 3–5 days under normal conditions.
- Note environmental factors, diet, stress, and product use.
- This helps identify patterns and avoid misdiagnosis based on a single day’s observation.
Keeping a diary also helps you notice how products like RE-SET or your favourite moisturiser work on your unique skin type.
Bonus Tips
Patch test new products to confirm tolerance.
Seasonal changes matter: Skin type can shift in winter versus summer.
Hydration check: Even oily skin needs water-based moisturisers.
Conclusion
Discovering your true skin type is simple, but it requires honesty and observation. Once you know your skin’s natural tendencies, you can choose the right cleansers, moisturisers, and treatments – saving time, money, and frustration.
Remember: your skin type is not fixed. Life, climate, diet, and age can all influence it, so check in every few months.
If you’re still asking, “what is my skin type?”, try these steps today and pair your results with products tailored to your needs for healthier, more radiant skin.
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