How to Know Your Skin Type—and Why It's So Important, According to Experts

Everything changes when you finally know your skin type.

As the famous saying goes, “knowledge is power,” and it couldn’t be any truer when we’re talking about your skin. The more you know about your skin type—its natural tendencies, its trouble spots, its best qualities—the more tuned into a skin care routine you can become and the healthier your complexion will look and feel.

“Knowing your skin type can help you select products that are most appropriate for use,” says Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. “For example, someone with oily or acne-prone skin may want to stick with oil-free or water-based moisturizers, while someone with dry, sensitive skin may want to avoid potentially aggravating ingredients like fragrances or dyes.”

So how do you figure out your skin type? Just follow this advice from skin care pros.

Meet the Experts

• Brendan Camp , MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
• Holly Mueller , esthetician and owner of Med 44 in Phoenix, Ariz.
• Hayley Wood , holistic esthetician at The New Knew

The 4 Primary Skin Types

Complexions are typically broken down into four primary categories.

• Oily: Oily skin tends to feel slick or oily. “Signs to look out for with oily skin can be enlarged pores, shiny complexion, and acne,” says esthetician Holly Mueller, owner of Med 44 in Phoenix, Ariz..
• Dry: Dry skin lacks moisture. Mueller says it may feel tight and look flaky due to a lack of oil production. Other signs include rough patches, flakiness, dullness, and pronounced wrinkles.
• Combination: Combination skin is a mixture of oily and dry skin. “Specifically oily in the T-zone areas and dry in other areas of the face like the cheeks,” Meuller says. “Most people tend to fall under this skin type because the areas of the face are all different and all contain a different number of sebaceous glands.”
• Balanced: Historically referred to as “normal skin” (but what is normal, anyway?), balanced skin is typically well hydrated and has little to no dryness or oiliness. It appears healthy and overall has a good skin texture .

Skin Conditions and Subtypes

From here, there are sub-categories you may fall into, including acne-prone, sensitive, or mature. Some skin types go hand in hand with some of these subcategories. For example, oily and acne-prone are common pairings, and dry and mature skin types are often linked, as well.

“Sensitive skin refers to skin that is more reactive, such as in the setting of rosacea where skin responds negatively to a number of aggravating factors, like heat, fragrances, dyes, and active ingredients,” says Dr. Camp.

He adds that acne-prone skin may be more likely to develop blocked pores and new blemishes as a result of increased baseline oil production and irregular skin cell turnover, and that mature skin tends to showcase more signs of laxity, fine lines/wrinkles, and uneven tone or texture.

It’s important to note that the difference between skin types and conditions is key to effective skin care.

“Skin types, like oily or dry, are usually pretty consistent and stem from our genetics, while conditions such as acne or sensitized skin are again usually temporary and influenced by factors like environment, product use, etc.,” says Hayley Wood, holistic esthetician at The New Knew. She says that recognizing this distinction allows for a more personalized skin care routine , ensuring treatments address your skin's unique needs for healthier, more balanced results.

4 Tests to Determine Your Skin Type

Observing your skin is the easiest way to determine what your skin type is. Refer to the descriptions above to figure out your skin type and try these tests to help pinpoint your complexion.

1. Wash, Wait, and Observe

This test is one of the simplest ways to figure out your skin type. “Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat it dry with a towel, and wait 20 to 30 minutes,” Dr. Camp instructs. If your skin feels oily or slick, you have oily skin. If it feels dry and tight, you have dry skin. If it feels well-moisturized then you’re balanced, and if it’s a mixture you have combo skin.

2. Blotting Test

If you’re having a tricky time feeling whether your skin is oily or dry, a blotting test can help. After washing and waiting for 30 minutes, Dr. Camp says to use blotting paper or a tissue to dab your face. “If you can see oil stains, you most likely have oily skin. If your skin is rough, flaky, or feels tight you most likely have dry skin,” he says.

3. T-Zone Check

Estheticians and dermatologists often look directly to your T-zone to determine your skin type. The T-zone spans the forehead, nose, and chin.

“Oily skin shows consistent oiliness both in this zone and beyond, often becoming apparent during puberty due to increased gland activity," says Wood. "Combination or balanced skin typically has oiliness confined to the T-zone, while dry skin exhibits minimal oil production (even in the T-zone).”

4. Pore Size Check

You can also examine your pores to confirm your skin type. Take a look at your pores across your nose, cheeks, and forehead in a well-lit area. If they’re large and visible across your face then you likely have oily skin. If they’re tiny or barely visible, you may have dry or balanced skin. If you have visible pores only in the T-zone, but elsewhere they’re small, then you likely have combination skin.

For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Real Simple .