At the beginning of the pandemic, with all of us cooped up in our homes, we turned to Tik Tok for relief. If you are anything like me, you started your skincare regime after watching Tik Toks explain how easy it is. Before even starting to figure out your best routine, you have to start by finding out your skin type.
The Different Skin Types
Oily skin produces an excess of sebum that causes the skin to appear shiny and feel greasy, especially throughout the T-Zone (forehead, nose, and chin). If you have oily skin, (like yours truly), you may have more enlarged pores, may be more likely to develop acne breakouts and acne blemishes.
Dry skin appears more full and maybe rough, flaky, or even scaly. It often has the individual face feeling tight or less moisturized. It also may be prone to show more visible lines. Along with that, it may become itchy or irritated.
Combination skin is often referred to as a skin type, but its name may confuse a lot of people. In simple terms, areas are dry as well as oily. With the T-Zone commonly being oily, and the cheeks being either dry or normal.
Sensitive skin is often referred to as a skin type, but you can have oily and sensitive skin, dry and sensitive skin, or normal and sensitive skin. Regardless of which type of skin you have, if you still have sensitive skin, it may cause the individual to deal with red skin and a burning and itching sensation. These symptoms can be related to having skin that is more vulnerable to external irritants that are in certain ingredients such as dyes or fragrances.
Normal skin is the final type of skin type. This type of skin is balanced, feeling neither dry nor oily. It is not prone to breakouts, flakiness, or feeling slick or tight. It is less likely to be prone to sensitivity or blemishes. They are the lucky ones.
Finding your skin type
Skin type is generally easy to find. There are five different types of skin types: oily, dry, normal, combination, and sensitive. With two types of tests, one can perform at home. In just about 30 minutes, you can find out your skin type easily, and spend more of that time relaxing and looking great with your bare face.
Test #1- Watching and Waiting
The first test allows one to understand what kind of skin you have by observing how your skin acts after cleansing. To start, wash your face with a gentle cleanser then gently pat it dry.
If after 30 minutes your skin appears shiny throughout, you likely have oily skin.
If it feels tight and is flaky or scaly, you likely have dry skin.
If the shine is only in your T-Zone, you probably have combination skin.
Finally, if your skin feels hydrated and comfortable, but not oily, you likely have normal skin.
Test #2- Blotting Sheets
When pressed to the skin, blotting sheets absorb oil—and you can use them to help you understand what type of skin you have. After washing your face with a gentle cleanser, patting it dry, and allowing it to rest 30 minutes, press blotting sheets to various areas of your face, then hold the sheets up to the light to see the oil markings.
If the sheets reveal an abundance of oil in all areas of the face, you have oily skin.
If they absorb little to no oil, then you probably have dry skin.
If the sheets show only a small amount of oil from your T-Zone, you have combination skin.
Finally, if you only see minimal oil from every area of your face, you most likely have normal skin.
In Conclusion
Regardless of what kind of skin you have, it can also be sensitive or prone to acne breakouts, though those with normal skin are less likely to experience either. However, with the right products, you can care for your skin while addressing sensitivity or acne blemishes. So whenever you go and buy your skincare products, make sure to pay extra attention to which products are specified to which type of skin type.