What Skin Type Do You Have? The 5 Main Skin Types

Knowing your skin type can be difficult but it’s important so that you can understand the best way to care for your skin. In this article, we’re going to go through each of the 5 skin types and talk about how they are characterized, any potential triggers and how you can best care for your skin

The 5 Different Types Of Skin

Normal Skin Type

As the name implies, a normal skin type refers to skin that is well-balanced and neither too oily nor too dry. It has a soft texture with few imperfections and can tolerate most skincare products well. Normal skin is actually quite uncommon in adults, but more common in children when the skin’s natural functions are at their peak. However, due to changes in hormones, environmental factors and lifestyle changes, the skin type may change.

Oily Skin Type

This is a common skin type and usually has a glossy shine due to the presence of oil and visible pores. This comes from an overproduction of sebum which can get worse under certain conditions such as changes in the time of year and weather, stress, heat or hormonal changes. Because of this, it’s particularly common among adolescents and young adults who sometimes grow out of it as they get older. Oily skin types are more prone to acne as the excess sebum provides a hospitable environment for bacteria to grow and clogs the pores, producing various types of spots. Read our detailed acne article to understand more about the common skin condition and how to best treat it.

Dry Skin Type

Dry skin is something almost every person experiences from time to time, especially during the colder months and in regions with low humidity. It can also be caused by other factors such as aging, medical conditions, using harsh cosmetic products and genetics. A lack of sebum means the skin struggles to retrain moisture and those with dry skin may find it feels tight and sometimes sore. Dry skin can also be associated with common skin conditions such as eczema.

Combination Skin Type

As you might have guessed, those with combination skin types have areas of the face and body that can be normal, oily or dry. A common example is the ’T-zone’, an area defined by the forehead, nose and chin that is often oily, but the rest of the face may be normal or even dry. It’s also influenced by factors such as changes in hormones and the environment, and can be more challenging to care for.

Sensitive Skin Type

Those with sensitive skin will often find that external factors such as certain skincare products, and humidity aggravate the skin which may become dry, sore or itchy. It can occur at any age and be triggered by many different factors that can vary from person to person. Those with sensitive skin should be especially careful when applying anything to the skin and avoid known ingredients that can be problematic.

Conclusion

Hopefully this will give you a better understanding of your skin type and how you can care for your skin. Remember, our skin is a crucial barrier from potential external threats and a vital part of our immune system. It’s important to care for our skin so that our skin can care for us.