How To Determine Your Skin Type at Home?

Ever wondered what your skin type is? We’ll help you understand your skin type in order to customize your skin care routine to better suit your individual needs.

What is skin type?

Skin type is the structure of your skin, which is largely determined by genetics, although it is also influenced by other factors and can change over time.

Skin types are commonly divided into five major categories: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin; However, sometimes people say there are 7 skin types because they distinguish acne-prone and mature skin, although acne and aging can affect any skin type.

Why do I need to know my skin type?

Have you had a experience of trying beauty products that everyone has raved about, but when you use them, they do nothing to your skin or even make your skin worse?

When it comes to skin care, it's not a one-size-fits-all magic solution because everyone’s skin is unique, so what works for someone else might not work for you.

Dermatologists say that understanding your skin type is an important first step in discovering the most effective way to take care of your skin.

Because it helps you choose the right facial cleansers or face moisturizers, which are key products for a healthy, glowing complexion. If the product isn't right for your skin type, it won't be as effective and can lead to irritated skin, breakouts and premature aging.

What’s the difference between skin types and skin conditions?

Many people are confused about skin types and conditions and this can make figuring out your true skin type difficult and easy to misdiagnose their skin type.

One of the main differences is that everyone has a skin type, but not everyone has a skin condition. Skin types are mostly predetermined by your genes while skin conditions can refer to temporary conditions of your skin.

Some skin conditions can arise from genetics but also can be a result of hormones, environmental, seasonal, lifestyle factors and they can span across different skin types. Some of the most common skin concerns include dehydration, sun damage, signs of aging, acne, breakouts, redness, and hyper-pigmentation.

How to determine your skin type?

The first step toward figuring out your skin type is to make your skin test-ready to ensure an optimal result. Analyze your skin care routine and look for ingredients and products that commonly cause skin problems and see if you’re using wrong products or missing a critical step in your routine.

For example, using comedogenic ingredients for acne-prone skin or harsh chemicals on sensitive skin or even skipping the exfoliating step in your beauty regimen.

Before identity your skin type, fix these underlying issues you found and let your true skin type be revealed itself. Once your skin is ready, there are four easy steps to determining your skin type.

• Step One: Do a double cleanse! Use an oil-based cleanser or makeup remover to remove all traces of makeup, excess sebum, or other oil-soluble debris. Followed by a mild face cleanser (cleansing foam, milk, or cream) to cleanse the residues left behind.
• Step Two: Gently pat dry and leave your skin bare – don’t apply any products such as face toners, moisturizers, or serums.
• Step Three: Wait for at least 30 minutes.
• Step Four: Examine closely how your skin feels and determine your skin’s unique characteristics.  

⭐️ Dry Skin

If your skin feels tight or itchy and rough all year-round, especially after cleansing, and drinks up the face moisturizer, you likely have dry skin. There may also be scaly patches or flaking and you may suffer from premature wrinkles or irritation to the skin.

Some causes of dry skin can include many factors such as your genetics, a hormone imbalance, aging, sun exposure (UV), hot showers/baths, indoor heating (think about winter), over-exfoliating, harsh ingredients from cosmetics, soaps, and facial cleansers.

Some common characteristics of dry skin can include:

• Almost invisible pores
• A feeling of tightness
• Red, mild scaling or flakiness in patches
• Dull complexion with low skin elasticity
• More visible fine lines

Korean Skin Care Products For Dry Skin

A key to improving dry skin is hydration – you should be more familiar with hydrating cleansers, heavy thick creams, ointments, and even facial oils.

We love Banila Co Clean It Zero Nourishing or Aromatica Natural Coconut Cleansing Oil as a first step oil-based facial cleanser for double cleanse.

Then use the Cosrx Triple Hyaluronic Moisturizing Cleanser. This is one of the top Korean face washes for dry skin that has been parched for moisture or if your face is cracked and peeling.

Add a humectant emollient essence or serum to your skin care regimen to boost hydration. For example, The Plant Base Waterfall Moist Balanced Hyaluronic Acid 100 contains 100% sodium hyaluronate.

Or Huxley Essence Oil Essence; Essence-Like Oil-Like which is a blend of oil and essence that revitalizes skin while strengthening skin’s natural barrier.

A face mask can serve as an easy yet intensive skin treatment for giving your skin a healthy glow. Try TonyMoly I’m Real Seaweeds Mask Sheet Skin Purifying, Mediheal NMF Aquaring Ampoule Mask, or add Laneige Water Sleeping Mask to your night skincare routine.

For moisturizer, your skin will like rich textured creams containing ceramides like Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin™ Cream or Urang Rose Ceramide Cream.

 💘 Check out  5-Step Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin

⭐️ Oily Skin

Oily skin is one of the easier skin types to tell as you tend to notice a great deal of glossy shine in their face and neck.

Blotting sheets or sebum control powders are more likely your best friend and you may feel like washing your face again midday as your face may feel greasy due to excess oil.  

The high oil production can leave pores congested but the good news is this makes you less prone to wrinkles and dehydration.

Common characteristics of oily skin can include:

• Enlarged pores
• Thick and shiny complexion
• Blackheads
• Acne-prone skin

Best Korean Beauty Products for Oily Skin

Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser and AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser, or Pyunkang Yul Acne Facial Cleanser can be a smart skincare choice if you’re an oily skin type and are prone to blemishes.

You can do an at-home chemical exfoliation one to two times per week with Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner or Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment. For moisturizing, stick to an emulsion or gel-type moisturizer because thick rich cream is likely clogging your pores and your skin can get greasier.

Isntree Green Tea Fresh Emulsion is our pick for a shiny complexion. As it has an anti-sebum P(HD) technique that controls oil production and green tea contains excellent soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

If you’re a great fan of face masks, a clay mask should be your next go-to mask. A mineral-rich clay mask can unclog pores and decongest skin in a pinch with the detoxifying and clarifying abilities of kaolin.

You might want to check Klavuu Special Care Pearl Glow Mask and Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask with volcanic clusters.

💘 Check out 5-Step Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin

⭐️ Combination Skin

Combination skin is the most common skin type but it can be trickier to determine as it features two different skin types on the face. Your skin will often be oily in the T-zone which includes a forehead, nose, and chin due to the high production of the oil glands.

The other parts of your face such as cheeks and jawline are likely to be dry, flaky, or normal. This skin type can change seasonally as well, so your skin might be oily in the summer and dry in the winter.

Common characteristics of combination skin can include:

• Enlarged pores and shiny skin mostly in the T-zone
• Blackheads
• Post-blemish acne scars
• May have hyperpigmentation such as dark spots
• Acne-prone skin

Korean Beauty Products For Combo Skin

Huxley Cleansing Gel Be Clean Be Moist and Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser which are both pH balancing and gel-type cleansers, making a great fit for combination skin. A cult classic Korean exfoliator, Skinfood Black Sugar Wash Off Mask, can be added to your peeling step.

You might also want to try these - Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner, Missha Time Revolution The First Intensive Moist Treatment Essence, and Olivarrier Dual pH 5.5 Moist Hyaluron Essence.

Never skip your moisturizer, Benton Snail Bee High Content Lotion and Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, both are light Gel Moisturizers that won’t clog pores or feel greasy and sticky. 

💘 Check out 5-Step Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin

⭐️Normal Skin

If your skin is not too dry and not too oily, you have a great natural balance of oil and moisture. This is one of the least common skin types, so you’re lucky and you should thank your parents for the genes!

Well-balanced healthy skin can tolerate most beauty products without experiencing a negative reaction. This is really amazing as this means you can play and have fun experimenting with all-new face cleansers, sleep masks, and makeup products.

One thing to note is that even if your skin is tame, you may deal with occasional breakouts or other skin issues that can go away fairly quickly without persisting.

Characteristics of normal skin types can include:

• Small, not easily visible pores
• A velvety soft and smooth texture
• No severe skin sensitivities
• No signs of flaking or oiliness
• A radiant complexion

Korean Skin Care for a Healthy, Glowing skin

If you’re a normal skin type, you’re lucky as you get to more options but just remember good skin care choices can help delay natural aging and prevent skin problems. Make a good friend with skin beneficial ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and niacinamide.

Liz K Super First C Serum Pure vitamin 13% is enriched with Absorbic acid and 10 kinds of anti-aging ingredients, so please check it out!

Sunscreen should be worn daily, no matter your skin types and your location – indoors and outdoors. Amore Pacific Natural Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen or Dear Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF50+ PA+++ can be a great option. 

💘 Check out 5-Step Skin Care Routine for Normal Skin (Vegan & Cruelty-Free)

⭐️ Sensitive Skin

If your skin tends to deal with a great amount of redness, skin irritation, itchy skin rashes, chances are you’ve got sensitive skin. This might be caused by genetics, environmental factors, severe allergies.

If you suffer from skin disorders or allergic skin reactions such as rosacea, eczema, asthma, atopic dermatitis, or hay fever, you’re likely to have sensitive skin.

Characteristics of sensitive skin can include:

• Skin that is easily irritated, inflamed, dry or itchy
• Frequent rashes and bumps
• Flush easily with heat
• Red, flaky patches
• Burning or stinging sensation after applying skin products, especially with synthetic fragrances and dyes

Korean Beauty Products For Delicate Skin

You need products that are gentle to the skin, yet powerful enough to help you achieve healthy and radiant skin. We recommend Heimish All Clean Balm, I’m From Rice Toner, Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum, and Urang Pink Everlasting Ampoule.

If you’re prone to redness, your skin would love Benton Good Bye Redness Centella Gel and Sheet Masks or Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream.

💘 Check out 5-Step Skin Care Routine for Sensitive Skin

How to build the perfect skin care routine?

No matter what your skin type is, a great daily skin care routine with the right products can help you treat and maintain your overall skin health and improve skin concerns like blemishes, hyper-pigmentation, blackheads and rough patch of skin.

Finding the right moisturizer for your skin is tricky but you should understand it’s an essential part of healthy radiant skin. As your skin conditions change over time, pay better attention to its needs for it to function and look its best. This will help your skin balanced and beautifully glowing.

(Related: Why Korean Beauty & Skin Care Is So Popular? )