How to Determine Your Skin Type

How to Determine Your Skin Type

You might have your eye on the latest miracle skincare product, but the perfect questions to ask first are, “What’s my skin type?” and “How do I determine my skin type?”

Remember that no matter how many people vouch for a product, it won’t work its wonders on you if your skin type isn’t compatible with its formulation. Knowing your skin type also allows you to customize your skincare routine based on your skin’s needs – this means that not every routine you see on the internet is effective.

The first step in determining your skin type is understanding the common skin characteristics. We’ve discussed this matter here, where you may also check which description fits your skin’s behavior. Below, check out the ways you can discover your skin type:

• Overall Face Examination
  This first method is the simplest in this list – all you have to do is to look at the mirror. Observe the size of your pores: if your pores are visible but not too big to be noticeable, your skin type is normal; if you take a few steps back from your position and still see the pores, you have oily skin; if you don’t see your pores at all, you have a dry skin type.
  
  Another thing you could do is to look for red or flaky patches on your skin – if you have these all over your face, you might have sensitive or dry skin. Otherwise, if your face is shiny instead, then you have the oily skin type.

• Using Blotting Sheets
  This procedure is your lifesaver when you’re too confused about whether you have oily or dry skin. Gently press the blotting sheet on the different parts of your face and observe how much oil the sheet absorbed. The more oil that the blotting sheet shows, the more likely that you have oily skin. If the sheet picked up a little to no amount of oil, that means your skin is dry. Lastly, if most of the oil caught by the sheet came from your T-zone, you’re likely to have a combination or normal skin type.

• Washing Your Face
  For this last method, use a mild cleanser and dry your face with a soft and clean cloth after. Do NOT proceed with your routine for the time being and apply any skincare products. Let your face rest for at least 30 minutes and check your skin. If you feel like your face went tight, your skin is on the dry side. If there’s a visible shine on your T-zone (nose and forehead), you might have the normal or combination skin type. Lastly, if your cheeks are shiny along with your T-zone, you have oily skin.

And those are the methods you can try when determining your skin type. Before you make a full-on skincare haul, ensure that you know what your skin needs. On the other hand, we at UBIIKA Beauty are here to help you with your skincare fix!