How to determine the type of facial skin: 3 ways + online test

Facial skin type: what can it be?

Dermatologists distinguish the following types of skin:

1. Fatty or problematic This type is characterized by enlarged pores, uneven texture, and a tendency to oily sheen. Rashes (acne) can often appear. The skin of this type is usually dense, less sensitive to the influence of external factors and ages more slowly due to self-moisturizing with sebum. Oily skin can be exacerbated by dehydration, insufficient pore cleansing, or sebum control.
2. Dry or sensitive The type subject to the most rapid aging: dehydration of the dermis provokes a loss of firmness, elasticity and the appearance of fine wrinkles, irritations. The pores are imperceptible, rashes rarely appear. The skin is thin, reactive, flaky and requires special care. After washing or cleansing, there is often a feeling of slight tightness, discomfort.
3. Combined (mixed) The combination of oily and dry skin in different areas of the face: the T-zone (chin, nose, forehead) is characterized by intense sebum secretion and often suffers from inflammation, in the U-zone (cheeks and cheekbones), the skin, on the contrary, is dry. The daily course for combination skin can combine cosmetics for oily and dry types. You can also use universal 2-in-1 combination products.
4. Normal Differs in the absence of visible manifestations of deficiencies. Normal-type skin has a uniform color and relief, a healthy matte texture and does not require special care – you just need to maintain an optimal balance of the epidermis.

Can skin type change over the course of a lifetime?

The type of facial skin is genetically determined, but under the influence of many factors (both internal and external), it can change throughout a person’s life.

For example, the state of the epidermis may be affected by hormonal changes of a different nature:

• pregnancy,
• menopause period,
• some hormonal disorders
• puberty.

Also, a change in the condition of the skin of the face can occur due to a sharp change in climate, changes in diet, due to regular stress, while taking certain medications or improperly selected cosmetics. Appropriate care can correct the existing problems of each type, whether it is excessive sebum production, accompanied by the appearance of acne, dryness, peeling or hypersensitivity.

Here are some simple tests to help you figure out what type of skin you have.

How to determine the type of facial skin at home?

How to independently determine the type of skin? A dermatologist or cosmetologist will help to do this correctly. You can also check the condition of your epidermis at home with simple tests.

You can visually determine the type of skin as follows:

• If there are no visible imperfections on the face, the color is healthy and uniform, the relief is smooth (without roughness), the skin is matte, there is no oily sheen, then you have a normal skin type.
• If the skin of the face is thin, pores are almost invisible on it, rashes rarely appear, then you have a dry type with a predisposition to hypersensitivity. The main characteristics of this type are dryness, a feeling of discomfort and tightness, peeling. Also, the dry type is most prone to premature aging and the appearance of fine wrinkles and lines of dehydration.
• If there is excessive oily sheen and rashes on the face (acne, post-acne), then you have an oily skin type. This type is characterized by uneven relief, texture and an earthy complexion. If the listed skin condition is typical for the T-zone (chin, forehead, nose), and the cheeks remain matte and without rashes, then you have a combined type.

How to visually determine the type of skin with a napkin?

1. To find out your skin type, wash your face with your usual cleanser. After washing, do not use additional nourishing or moisturizing products.
2. 30 minutes after washing, when the sebaceous glands begin to actively produce sebum, apply a dry or matting napkin to your face for 20 seconds.
3. Assess the condition of the napkin: – If there is a noticeable greasy mark in the T-zone, the skin is combination. – A greasy trace on all parts of the face indicates a fatty type. – Barely noticeable traces of fat on a napkin – a normal type. – If there are no traces at all, then you are the owner of the dry type.

Online skin type test

Below is a classic skin type test.

1. How does your skin feel after washing? a) There is no discomfort, the skin is fresh, radiant. b) There is a feeling of tightness, dryness, discomfort. c) Already 20 minutes after washing, a slight oily sheen of the face appears. d) After washing, an excessive shine of the face appears in the T-zone, the cheek area remains matte.

2. How does the skin feel if the moisturizing step is neglected? a) I do not use a moisturizer, without it the skin feels great. b) Moisturizing cream is an indispensable step in my beauty routine, because without it, the skin is dry and tight. c) Without moisturizing, the oily sheen of the face increases. d) Without moisturizing, the oily sheen of the face increases in the T-zone, the cheek area remains matte.

3. Assess the condition of the pores on the face a) The pores are invisible, rashes practically do not appear. b) The pores are almost invisible, rashes rarely appear. c) The pores are mostly enlarged, there are imperfections on the face: acne, black spots, rash. d) The pores are enlarged only in the forehead, nose and chin. There are no pores in the U-zone or they are hardly noticeable.

4. Does the skin react to the influence of external and internal factors: unhealthy diet, bad habits (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption), environmental pollution, climate change, etc. a) Doesn’t react at all. b) Dryness, irritation, itching appear. c) Excessive oily sheen of the face appears and the course of acne becomes aggravated. d) Eruptions appear on the forehead, nose and chin.

5. 30 minutes after cleansing the skin, without first applying a basic care cream to it, apply a paper or matting napkin to the face for 20 seconds. Describe the condition of the napkin. a) There are no marks left on the napkin. b) There were no marks left on the napkin, but redness appeared on the skin and its sensitivity increased. c) Traces of sebum are slightly visible on the napkin. d) Impressive greasy stains remained on the napkin.

Test results – if most of the answers are in the block:

• And you normal skin type. Congratulations, you have the most unassuming type – normal. The condition of the epidermis is consistently good, there is no oily shine and rashes, the pores are invisible, the skin feels comfortable. For daily care of this type, choose cosmetics marked “for normal skin”.
• B – you have dry sensitive skin type. Dry skin type often has a predisposition to hypersensitivity: allergic reactions, dryness, peeling, itching, discomfort are frequent companions of dry epidermis. To care for this type, choose hypoallergenic cosmetics.
• C is yours oily skin type. Excessive oily shine of the face, which appears within half an hour after cleansing the skin, and frequent rashes are sure signs of an oily type. To care for this type, choose cosmetics marked “non-comedogenic”.
• D – you have combination skin type. The T-zone tends to be oily and blemish-free, while the cheeks and under-eye area tend to be dry and sensitive. To care for this type, choose cosmetics marked “for combination skin.” More recommendations for the care of the combined type.

How to take care of different skin types?

Choosing the right corrective care is the main reason to know your skin type. Despite the fact that each of them requires an individual approach and the choice of suitable skin care cosmetics, there are basic steps of a beauty routine that are relevant for everyone.

Purification – the first and main stage of skin care for any type. Facial cleansing is aimed at the delicate removal of impurities: cosmetic residues, dust, sebum, sweat. Also regularly carry out deep cleansing (exfoliation) of the face with the help of scrubs, peelings or gommages (according to skin type) to exfoliate dead skin cells of the epidermis.

Toning – the final stage of purification. Tonic restores the normal pH level of the skin and promotes better penetration of the active ingredients of your cream formula to penetrate into the deep layers of the dermis.

humidification necessary for all skin types without exception and on a regular basis. High-quality hydration is responsible for the softness, elasticity and protection of the epidermis from dehydration and early aging.

Food is responsible for protecting the skin and strengthening its hydrolipid mantle, which contributes to the resistance of the epidermis to external negative factors. There are different textures and nutrient formulas for different skin types.

Sun protection also necessary for any type of skin and not only in the hot season. UV rays are one of the main damaging factors, under the harmful influence of which the body triggers a number of reactions designed to protect the skin, and even in the cold season, UV radiation has a negative effect on the epidermis and contributes to its accelerated photoaging.

The main task of oily skin is not to become problematic. The fatty type needs high-quality cleansing twice a day, as well as matting, anti-inflammatory and healing agents. Choose non-comedogenic products that are free of alcohol and oils. Exfoliators should be gentle: scrubs with small particles or peels for problem skin.

Important(!): the fatty type can also be dehydrated and even sensitive, this happens against the background of improperly chosen aggressive care: with the abuse of alcohol tonics, scrubs, products with acids and retinol. Pay due attention to moisturizing the epidermis.

Cleansers

• Effaclar Ultra Micellar Water for oily problematic skin – is used for effective cleansing of the skin from impurities, delicate make-up removal, does not require rinsing with water.
• Effaclar Purifying Mattifying Mask — removes deep (even invisible to the eye) pollution and visibly narrows enlarged pores. Regular use of the product controls excess sebum secretion.

Matting

• Effaclar moisturizing mattifying sebum-regulating emulsion – contains in its composition the Sebulyse component, which normalizes the production of sebum, has a matting effect and contributes to a noticeable narrowing of pores.

Tonic

• Pore ​​tightening lotion with mattifying effect Effaclar — cleanses the pores and visibly reduces their size, mattifies the surface of the skin. The formula of the product contains cleansing components and Lipo-hydroxy acids.

Care for oily skin with exacerbation of acne and against stagnant spots (post-acne):

• Corrective cream-gel for problem skin Effaclar DUO[+] – is used to instantly hydrate and mattify the skin, reducing imperfections and the resulting redness.
• Effaclar AI Local Correction – accelerates the disappearance of skin imperfections and prevents the appearance of post-acne.
• Micro Exfoliating Gel Effaclar — is used for intensive cleansing of the skin and pores from impurities, reduction of imperfections and post-acne, removal of excess sebum.

UV Protection:

• Anthelios XL Mattifying Sun Gel Cream, SPF 50/PPD 21 — mattifying sunscreen formula for oily and combination problem skin with patented Airlicium technology. Reduces oily sheen, tightens pores, the formula of the product is effective in the open sun for up to 6 hours. Non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic. Can be used under makeup.

Owners of the dry type are not recommended to choose products with acids and retinol, which cause irritation and peeling. Your motto is delicacy. For such a dermis, nourishing and moisturizing (moisture-retaining) hypoallergenic formulas with SPF filters are suitable. The night remedy should contain lipids that contribute to the creation of a natural protective film of the epidermis. Cleansing should be delicate and gentle. Twice a week, do peels or use scrubs to exfoliate dead particles of the epidermis and renew cells.

Purification

• Micellar water Ultra Sensitive for sensitive skin of the face and eyes — gently removes make-up, soothes the skin of even the very sensitive area of ​​the eyelids. Does not contain soap, parabens and dyes.

Care

• Moisturizer to enhance the protective function of skin prone to redness Rosaliac UV Rich – due to vitamins CG and PP, it increases moisture, eliminates redness, and soothes reactive skin. The Mexoryl XL sunscreen is responsible for the prevention of photoaging.
• Toleriane Ultra night cream-gel – relieves tightness and itching, soothing even hypersensitive skin while you sleep.
• Moisturizing face cream for sensitive skin prone to dryness Hydreane Extra Riche — instantly moisturizes, soothes, softens the skin, protects against external factors.
• Light moisturizing cream for sensitive skin Toleriane Sensitive – the product intensively moisturizes, soothes, enhances the natural protective function of the skin.

To moisturize and soften dry areas, use nourishing, moisturizing formulas, and for the T-zone, use light gels or fluids with a matting effect.

Purification

• Effaclar Cleansing Cream-Gel for overdried problematic skin gently cleanses, restores the hydrolipidic mantle of the skin, has a sebum-regulating and antibacterial effect.

humidification

• Hydraphase Intense Legere for normal and combination skin, including those with signs of dehydration – intensively moisturizes, relieves the feeling of tightness and discomfort, improves complexion.
• Light cream Toleriane Sensitive Creme — moisturizes, soothes, enhances the natural protective function of the skin.

Matting

• Effaclar K(+) Corrective Emulsion for Oily Skin — mattifies for 8 hours, prevents the formation of black spots, has an antioxidant effect to prevent sebum oxidation.

The normal type needs regular basic care to maintain beauty and health, as well as protect against premature aging.

• To care for normal skin, La Roche-Posay has collected a huge number of products for cleansing, moisturizing and nourishing. Choose the right product format for each stage of care.