Knowing how to find your skin type saves money and guesswork. A cleanser that suits oily skin can leave dry skin tight, and a rich cream that comforts dry skin may feel heavy on an oily forehead. This guide shows two easy checks you can do at home and explains what the results mean.
The five common skin types
Dermatologists usually describe skin in five broad groups. Most people fit one of them most of the time.
| Skin type | How it usually looks and feels |
|---|---|
| Normal | Comfortable, not shiny and not tight, few visible flakes |
| Dry | Tight after washing, rough or flaky patches, looks dull |
| Oily | Shiny by midday, larger-looking pores, makeup slides off |
| Combination | Oily forehead, nose and chin with normal or dry cheeks |
| Sensitive | Stings, burns or turns red easily after products or weather |
Sensitive skin can exist together with any other type. You can have skin that is both oily and sensitive, for example.
The bare-face test
This test takes about half an hour and needs no equipment.
- Wash your face with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water.
- Pat it dry with a clean towel. Do not apply any product.
- Wait 30 minutes in a room that is not very hot or very cold.
- Look in a mirror near a window and gently touch your forehead, nose, chin and cheeks.
How to read the result
- Tight, rough or flaky all over: your skin is probably dry.
- Shiny all over: your skin is probably oily.
- Shiny in the T-zone only: this points to combination skin.
- Comfortable everywhere: normal skin is the likely answer.
- Red, itchy or stinging: your skin may be sensitive.
The blotting paper test
Press a clean blotting sheet or a piece of thin tissue on different areas of your face in the afternoon. Hold it up to the light. Oil on every sheet suggests oily skin. Oil from the forehead and nose only suggests combination skin. Very little oil anywhere suggests normal or dry skin.
Skin type is not the same as a skin condition
Your skin type is your starting point. A skin condition is something that comes and goes or needs treatment. Dehydration, acne, redness and dark spots are conditions, and they can affect any skin type. Oily skin can still be short of water, which is why Dry Skin vs Dehydrated Skin: Key Differences is worth reading if your face feels both greasy and tight.
Why your skin type can change
Skin does not stay the same for life. These things often shift it:
- Season and climate. Cold, dry air pulls water from the skin. Heat and humidity increase oil.
- Age. Oil production usually falls with time, so skin tends to become drier.
- Hormones. Puberty, pregnancy and menopause can all change oil levels.
- Products and habits. Harsh scrubs, very hot water and over-washing can make any skin feel dry or sensitive.
Repeat the test when the season changes or when your usual products stop feeling right.
What to do next
Once you know your type, build a short routine around it. Skincare for Beginners: The Essential Steps explains the three steps everyone needs. If your result was mixed, read Skincare Routine for Combination Skin, and if your skin reacts easily, start with Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin. You can also answer a few questions in the Skin Type Quiz to compare its answer with your own test.
See a dermatologist if your skin is often red, sore, very itchy or breaking out in a way that worries you. Those signs can point to a condition such as eczema or rosacea, which no skin type test can diagnose.
Related on ArniSun
- Skin Type Quiz: Find Your Skin Type
- Skincare for Beginners: The Essential Steps
- Skincare Routine for Combination Skin
- Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin
- Dry Skin vs Dehydrated Skin: Key Differences
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Can I have more than one skin type?
Yes. Combination skin is exactly that: oilier areas and drier areas on the same face. Sensitive skin can also appear together with dry, oily or combination skin.
How often should I check my skin type?
Checking once or twice a year is enough for most people. Test again after a big change such as a move to a new climate, pregnancy, or a new medicine that affects your skin.
Is the blotting paper test accurate?
It is a rough guide, not a medical test. It works best in the afternoon on a day when you have not applied heavy products, and it is most useful when you combine it with the bare-face test.