Different skin types and what type is my skin

There are various skin types, and each person needs to understand the type of skin they have. To be in a better position to give your skin better protection that will last for years, you need to know your exact skin type. There are different skin types, including oily, dry, normal,  combination, and sensitive skin.

For many, skin type can be determined by close but straightforward and keen observation. There are two types of tests you can do at home, and we can help you understand what kind of skin you have in just 30 minutes (and most of that time is spent relaxing at home with a clean face).

In this article, we will look through the different types of skin and their characteristics. We have also listed a couple of methods that may help you find out what is your skin type. Read on!

Types of skin and their characteristics

Dry skin

If one has dry skin, then it means that their bodies produce inadequate sebum. The characteristics of this skin type are:

• It feels too dry, especially after contact with water
• It has cracks, flakes and it itches severally
• It appears ashy, dull, and rough

Oily skin

An oily skin implies that one produces more sebum than their body actually requires. Usually, the skin has:

• Large pores that can clog easily.
• The skin will likely have blackheads or acne.
• Feels greasy
• The skin can appears shiny.

Combination skin

As the name suggests, people with combined skin have some parts of the skin as oily while other parts are dry. The oily parts include the nose, forehead, and chin, commonly referred to as the T-zone. Parts like cheeks may just be dry.

Sensitive skin

This is a type that gets irritated or inflamed easily.  People with this skin may realize;

• A skin that burns, stings or itches when applying some skincare products
• Visible reactions like peeling, hives,  or bumps when some substances are applied

Sensitive skin is not determined by sebum production because even those with dry and oily skin also have sensitive skin, which is in most cases associated with general skin dryness. In most cases, skin sensitivity is associated with eczema or rosacea.

Normal skin

This is a type of skin that is moderately oily, sensitive, or dry.  Here sebum is produced in the required quantity, which helps the skin to remain evenly hydrated and non-greasy. Normal skin typically has an even complexion and few blemishes if any.

How to find your skin type

If you want to know what your skin type is, just follow these few steps.

1. Wash the face with a gentle cleanser.
2. Pat it dry with a clean towel.
3. Observe how the skin looks and feels immediately after washing.
4. Take note that the skin texture will change over a few hours.

For the dry skin, it will dry up so fast and appear to be dull. Oily skin will look matte but will become shiny and greasy after a few hours. The T zone will appear greasy for the combined skin after some time, but the chin will remain dull.  The normal skin will appear clear with an evenly distributed tone and texture. The normal skin will not change as time elapses.

The blotting sheet method

It is a method usually used to differentiate between the oily and dry skin types. First, gently put pat a blotting paper on different areas of your face. Next, hold the paper up to the light to determine how much oil is visible.

If the sheet picked little or no oil, then you have dry skin. The sheet reveals oil from the nose and forehead for combination skin, while for oily skin, the sheet will reveal more oil. 

Conclusion.

The amount of sebum produced and the level of sensitivity determine a person’s skin type. Protecting the skin from dangerous UV lights is essential to keep the skin healthy and adequately moisturized, no matter its type.