How to Care for Your Skin Type

Everyone’s skin is different, but there are three categories of skin type that each person’s skin falls into: dry, oily and a combination of the two. It’s important to determine your skin type in order to use the proper skincare methods and products to keep your skin healthy. Once you’re aware of what each skin type is like and what it requires, it will be easy to develop a skincare routine that works for you. Here are the three types.

Dry

This is arguably the easiest skin type to identify because it typically causes a tight feeling in the skin or an overall dull appearance. At its worst, dry skin can be red and flaky. If it remains untreated or gets worse with exposure to harsh weather, it can also cause breakouts. There are many products, namely moisturizers, on the market that can soothe and prevent irritation by keeping your skin properly moisturized. Depending on how dry your skin is, you can choose moisturizers with different ingredients, like hyaluronic acid or aloe, and strengths of those ingredients.

Oily

Oily skin can also be easy to identify, especially if the oiliness is severe. If you notice your skin gets shiny by halfway through the day, you’re probably dealing with skin that produces too much oil. Additionally, if you experience frequent breakouts, they’re likely a result of oily skin. Contrary to popular belief, you should still use moisturizer if your skin is oily; keeping your skin properly moisturized can prevent the skin from producing more oil. However, you should use moisturizers and face washes that are mattifying and don’t use pore-clogging ingredients. If you have acne, you could add an acne treatment that reduces oil production to your skincare routine as well.

Combination

Skin that’s dry in some parts and oily in other parts is the most common skin type and the most difficult to care for. If your skin is this type, you may experience oiliness or breakouts in areas like the T-zone and chin but also feel tightness in the upper forehead or cheeks. To keep this skin type healthy, you can look for products that are marketed as being for normal or combination skin since they won’t be too overly hydrating or mattifying. If the oiliness or dryness in certain parts of your face are extreme, you could try using a serum on those parts only.

Having a skincare or beauty routine is trendier than ever, but it’s truly important to know how to take care of your skin. As long as you know your skin type, you can find the right skincare products and develop a routine that works for you.