What are the main types of Skin?Updated a year ago
From oily to dry with everything in between (along with the outliers), here are the main skin types, and what you need to know about each one.
That said, if you’re still at the beginning of your skincare journey, it’ll be useful to understand what makes a great skincare routine in the first place. To learn that, check out our full guide to the basic skincare routine steps.
Dry skin
Having dry skin means that your skin doesn’t produce a lot of oil. The key sign of having dry skin is that you never have to worry about looking greasy or shiny. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, you're likely to have smaller pores. As you age, it's common to have larger pores along with dry skin.
In general, dry skin is more prone to dehydration which can make the skin feel tight, cause flakiness, and increase your chances of irritation. That said, this can also be confusing since dehydration is extremely common amongst all skin types. As such, don’t take flakiness or rough spots as a sign that you have a dry skin type - it could just be temporary dehydration.
Choosing products for dry skin
Look for richer moisturizers that will do a better job of replenishing the lipids your skin doesn’t produce. Our Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Cream is rich enough for daily use, especially if you apply it after your skin has soaked in a lot of water. However, you may also want to work in a thicker occlusive product immediately after showers when your skin is most saturated.
Your cleansers should be as gentle and non-stripping as possible. Avoid any products that leave your skin feeling tight after you’ve used them. Foam or gel cleansers are often a little more likely to strip the skin.
Want to learn more? We discuss this in detail in our guide to Skincare for Dry Skin.
Oily skin
On the other side of the spectrum, there’s oily skin. This is when your skin produces more sebum, largely as a result of the levels of androgen hormones cycling through your system. This results in skin that often looks shiny even without moisturizer, especially on the forehead and center of the face. The pores tend to be more visible, as well.
While those with oily skin can experience any skin concern, clogged pores and acne are a little more common. It’s also very common for people with oily skin to overuse harsh cleansers or acne treatments and underuse moisturizers, which can lead to flakiness and dehydration in combination with the oiliness.
Choosing products for oily skin:
The ideal products for oily skin will usually help you feel a little more matte during the day. Consider applying fewer layers in the morning and choose sunscreens or makeup products with a matte finish.
It’s still important that you use a moisturizer at night, although you might get enough hydration from a lighter formula. For cleansing, we think it’s best to keep it gentle and mild, but you may find that you prefer gel formulas over very oily or creamy cleansers.
Finally, if you suffer from a specific concern like acne, consider speaking to your doctor - there are simple products that can help, like salicylic acid cleansers or retinoids.
Need more help? Check out our full guide to Skincare for Oily Skin.
Combination skin
Typically, “combination skin” usually refers to skin that’s dry in certain areas and oily in others, or that undergoes significant changes from season to season. That said, brands often use the term as a shortcut for slightly oily skin.
If your skin shows signs of dryness like flakiness along with extreme oiliness, chances are you actually have oily, dehydrated skin rather than combination skin.
Choosing products for combination skin:
With skin that’s somewhere in between, it’s all about finding your ideal level of moisture, so learning to listen to your skin is key. Chances are you’ll benefit from lightweight, hydrating moisturizer on most days. Then, on days when your skin shows more signs of dehydration, you’ll want to use a more occlusive product that’ll help you bind moisture to your skin.
Sensitive skin
Sometimes, sensitive skin is also included in the list of skin types. If you’re sensitive, it means that your skin can become inflamed more easily, and your barrier is easily disrupted. Usually, it’s a sign of having some sort of skin condition like rosacea or eczema, which may require a diagnosis and dermatological care.
Choosing products for sensitive skin:
With sensitive skin, it’s all about identifying your triggers and avoiding them. Products with fragrances or skin-resurfacing ingredients are slightly more likely to irritate your skin, but it’s very individual.
When in doubt, focus on products with simpler formulas, and with barrier-reinforcing or skin-soothing ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and oat extract. Budget-friendly moisturizers from dermatologist-approved brands like Vanicream are often fantastic for regular use, as well.
Always introduce new skincare by first conducting a patch test (i.e., applying products to a small spot on your skin for a few days to check for irritation).
There's a lot more to say about sensitive skin, so consider reading our guide to Skincare for Sensitive Skin.
The enigma of “normal” skin
So few things in life are “normal,” and that includes skin. This skin type is often described as being flawless, with the perfect level of oil production and no concerns. But who actually has skin like that?
In reality, we think normal skin is the term given to those with skin that’s just a little dry. There are no obvious issues with oil production but the dryness isn’t excessive, either.