Knowing your skin type is the first step to start enjoying an effective beauty routine that addresses the skin conditions and problems that concern you. Moreover, thanks to the wide variety of products available, it is increasingly easy and accessible to find treatments that perfectly suit each person's needs. And at Toskani, we are a great example of this!
Discover the different skin types and how to identify your skin type with these simple tips.
What are the main skin types
Although the condition and appearance of the skin can change depending on the climate, health status, or life stage of each person, the truth is that skin type is a genetic matter that accompanies us throughout our lives.
In this regard, we can divide skin into four main categories: Normal, dry, oily, and combination. Within each of these, different skin disorders can appear, such as irritation, even among people with completely different skin types.
Normal
Normal skin is considered an ideal skin type due to its balance in sebum and moisture production. This means it is neither too dry nor too oily and tends to have a healthy and even appearance. Although the T-zone formed by the forehead, chin, and nose may be slightly oilier, this skin type is less prone to imperfections and skin problems compared to other skin types.
- Characterized by a soft, smooth, and even texture
- Small and invisible pores
- Few imperfections, impurities, and sensitivity issues
With age, normal skin may become more prone to dryness, which may require the use of specific products for mature skin care.
Dry
Dry skin produces less sebum than normal, which can lead to a weakened skin barrier and moisture loss. It is prone to irritation and may be more sensitive to climate changes and harsh products.
- Tight feeling, especially after cleansing
- Rough and flaky texture
- Dull and lackluster appearance
- May show fine lines and premature wrinkles
The good news is that there are countless products for dry skin that help combat and prevent all these symptoms.
Oily
Unlike dry skin, oily skin produces an excess of sebum, known as seborrhea. This makes its appearance porous, shiny, and moist.
- Enlarged and visible pores
- Constant shine, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin)
- Prone to acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples
Combination
Combination skin, as its name suggests, shares characteristics of both dry and oily skin. Depending on the area of the face and the distribution of sebaceous and sweat glands, this skin type has a more oily T-zone and other areas, like the cheeks, that are more prone to dryness.
- Combination of oily and dry areas
- Difficulty finding products that work well on the entire face
- Oily T-zone prone to acne and enlarged pores
- Dry and rough skin on the cheeks
Identify your skin type
Each skin type is unique, and identifying it is not always an easy task. Knowing the characteristics of the different skin types and paying attention to the problems that affect us most is a way to get an idea of which category we belong to.
But below, we explain two methods that can help you more easily recognize your skin type.
- The bare face and observation method. To find out your skin type with this method, you need to cleanse your face with a gentle product and dry it without rubbing. Leave your skin bare, without applying any product for at least thirty minutes. Then examine it in front of a mirror. Check if you feel tightness and see flakes; in this case, your skin is prone to dryness. If you observe shine in the T-zone, you likely have normal or combination skin. And if the shine spreads to other areas, your skin type may be oily.
- Absorbent paper to determine your skin type. For this method, you will need a dry absorbent paper to gently pat your skin. Hold the paper up to the light and observe the amount of oil it has collected in each area. If the oil is barely visible on the paper, you most likely have dry skin. If it collects more oil in the nose and forehead area, you have combination or normal skin. When the paper absorbs oil in various areas, including the cheeks, the skin is oily.
Once you know your skin type, you can tailor your daily care to keep your skin healthy and radiant!