Understanding Your Skin Type

Using products that don't match your skin type is one of the most common reasons skincare routines fail. A moisturiser that's perfect for dry skin can cause breakouts on oily skin; a lightweight gel won't cut it for someone battling chronic dryness. Identifying your skin type is the essential first step.

The Five Main Skin Types

Normal Skin

Normal skin is balanced — not too oily, not too dry, with small pores and few imperfections. It doesn't feel tight after cleansing or shiny by midday. If this describes you, almost any product will work; focus on maintaining your skin's health rather than correcting imbalances.

Oily Skin

Oily skin produces excess sebum, resulting in a shiny or greasy appearance, enlarged pores, and a tendency towards blackheads and breakouts. Look for lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic formulas. Gel moisturisers, BHA (salicylic acid) exfoliants, and niacinamide serums are your best allies.

Dry Skin

Dry skin lacks sufficient oil production, causing it to feel tight, rough, or flaky — especially after cleansing. It may show fine lines more prominently. Focus on rich, nourishing formulas with ceramides, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid. Avoid products with alcohol or high concentrations of AHAs.

Combination Skin

Combination skin is oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and normal to dry on the cheeks. This is the most common skin type. You may need to use different products on different areas, or choose balanced formulas designed for combination skin.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin reacts easily to products, environment, or stress — showing redness, burning, itching, or breakouts in response to new products or irritants. Prioritise fragrance-free, minimal-ingredient formulas. Centella asiatica, allantoin, and panthenol are soothing ingredients to look for.

How to Identify Your Skin Type at Home

The easiest method is the bare-face test:

1. Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry
2. Don't apply any products
3. Wait one hour
4. Examine your skin in a mirror

• Shiny all over → oily skin
• Tight, flaky, or dull → dry skin
• Shiny in the T-zone, comfortable on cheeks → combination skin
• Comfortable, no excess oil or dryness → normal skin
• Red, irritated, or reactive after cleansing → sensitive skin

Skin Type Can Change

Your skin type isn't fixed. It can shift with the seasons (drier in winter, oilier in summer), with age (skin tends to become drier over time), with hormones, diet, and stress. Reassess periodically and adjust your routine as needed.