How to Identify Your Skin Type: A Comprehensive Guide

When choosing skincare products that will work for you it’s important to know your skin type. Choosing the right products will help you find the right balance for a bright, healthy, glowing complexion. 

But picking the wrong products can cause your skin problems to actually worsen. If you’ve never tested your skin type before, it’s an easy process you can do at home. And today we’re here to show you how.

When it comes to skin type, there are four major types. You’re probably already familiar with them from going down the skincare aisle. These types are normal, dry, oily, and combination. 

The goal of any good routine is to keep your skin as healthy as possible. Taking care of your skin helps maintain your skin’s outermost layer - the skin barrier. It keeps us protected from the harmful elements of the outside world. But it also keeps water in your skin to give it that plump, youthful glow.

When we talk about ‘normal’ skin, we’re talking about balanced skin. It’s not too oily or too dry and has very few imperfections. The skin tone is even, and the pores are barely visible.

This skin type has less visible pores and may be tight and flaky. Dry skin types may have a dull complexion and less elasticity with visible lines. It’s common for skin to dry out as we age since your skin barrier may have difficulty holding hydration.  

If you have dry skin, we have a few recommendations. Our Flawless Nourishment Cream is perfect for optimal hydration. There’s also our Ceramide Booster Serum and Essential Renewing Serum which help the skin's barrier to better hold and retain water. To top it off, check out our sprayable dews to lock in moisture and hydration.  

This skin type is known to produce more oil than the other type. The good news is that you may look youthful for longer! But you’ll also deal with enlarged pores, blackheads, and a dull or shiny complexion. We commonly associate this skin type with teenagers due to the hormonal shifts they experience.

But oily skin can occur at any age due to genetics or hormonal changes. 

If you’re an oily skin type, check out our Illuminating Exfoliating Mask and No. 4 Flawless Water Creme for your routine. It gives your skin moisture without sitting heavily upon it. The perfect lightweight moisturizer for any routine.

Combination skin types can be a combination of dry and oily skin. Your skin may be oily in some areas and dry in others. Most of these issues arise in your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). 

You may also have pores that are larger than normal. Your skin may be shiny, but not overly so, and you may get blackheads. 

Out of these four skin types, any of them can be sensitive. Sensitive means that you may be allergic to certain ingredients in skincare products. These types may experience redness, burning, itching, or irritation. 

Sensitive skin types have to be careful with the products that they use. Finding hypoallergenic products is ideal. Or even keeping an eye out for clean beauty-related products. 

When shopping with Averr, you don’t have to worry about scrutinizing labels. Our products are formulated with sensitive skin-friendly ingredients in mind. They’re all-natural and clean, so they’re perfect for you.

If you read through the different types of skin and found one that stood out to you, trust your instincts! You know your skin better than anyone else. You know if you’ve dealt with sensitivity, breakouts, dryness, or oiliness. 

It may sound silly to say that you’re your best teacher, but it’s true. But if you’re looking for a more concrete method, read on.

When you wake up in the morning, wash your face with an oil-free cleanser and apply nothing else. No toner. No moisturizer. Cleanser only. Then wait at least an hour to see how your skin reacts.

If you find that your skin becomes shiny after one hour, then you’re an oily skin type.

If your skin feels tight and dry, you’re a dry skin type.

If you find that your skin is only oily/dry in certain areas, then you’re a combination skin type.

And if you find that your skin isn’t drastically oily or dry anywhere, then you’re likely a normal skin type.

Another way to find your skin type is by ripping up small pieces of toilet paper and sticking it all over your face. It sounds silly, but there’s a reason behind this methodology. It’s to see if the tissue will stick to your skin based on its oil content.

If none of the pieces stick to your face, you’re a dry type.

If the pieces stick everywhere, you’re an oily type.

If the pieces stick for a moment and then fall, you’re a normal type.

And if the pieces stick, but only in your T-zone, then you’re likely a combination type.

Believe it or not, dry or oily can both be acne-prone! We often think of excess oil as being the culprit behind acne breakouts. Which is definitely true. But other factors can go into why you’re experiencing breakouts. Anything from environmental factors, hormones, stress levels, and even your diet can affect the quality of your skin.

If you’re an acne-prone skin type, consider these products. We’ve formulated them with you in mind. They’re all-natural, cruelty-free, and vegan. They’re good for your skin and good for the environment. If you’re sensitive too, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Our formulas are perfect for your skin, too. 

No squinting at labels and worrying about if this is going to trigger your skin. 

Finding out your skin type makes shopping that much easier. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, a skincare routine can help your skin stay healthy and glowing by taking care of your skin barrier. 

Your skincare products should bring balance to your skin at the end of the day. And we’re happy to be there for your every step of the way to help you reach your skincare goals.