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.

Choose the right products for your skin

Understanding your skin type is crucial for choosing the right skincare products and creating an effective routine. Whether you have dry, oily, combination, or normal skin, identifying your skin type can help you address your specific concerns and maintain a healthy complexion.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between skin types and skin conditions, and provide you with simple steps to determine your skin type at home. We’ll also highlight some common characteristics of each skin type and recommend top Korean skincare products tailored to meet their unique 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 can I identify my 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

TIRTIR Milk Skin Toner

TIRTIR Milk Skin Toner is a gentle toner formulated with milk protein extract to nourish and revitalize your skin, leaving it soft and supple.

It balances your skin's pH levels while providing deep hydration, making it perfect for all skin types. Use it daily to achieve a refreshed and radiant complexion.

Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Plunge into deep hydration with Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This potent serum features low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, which penetrates deeply into the skin to deliver intense moisture.

This hydrating formula plumps and smooths the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and leaving your complexion looking dewy and revitalized.

iUNIK Beta-Glucan Power Moisture Serum

Boost your skin's moisture levels with iUNIK Beta-Glucan Power Moisture Serum. Enriched with beta-glucan, this serum provides long-lasting hydration and enhances the skin's natural barrier. It's perfect for soothing and calming sensitive skin, leaving it feeling soft, plump, and healthy.

Beauty Of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water

Rejuvenate your skin with the nourishing power of Beauty Of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water. Infused with ginseng extract, this essence hydrates and revitalizes your skin, improving elasticity and radiance. It absorbs quickly, providing deep nourishment and a youthful glow.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner Plus

Quench your skin's thirst with Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner Plus. This ultra-hydrating toner is packed with multiple types of hyaluronic acid to deliver deep and lasting moisture.

It enhances the skin's hydration levels, making it perfect for dry and dehydrated skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and supple.

💎 Show Now 10 Step Korean skin care routine set 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

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner contains AHA, BHA, and PHA to exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog pores, and improve skin texture. With regular use, it helps reduce blemishes, balance oil production, and reveal a brighter, smoother complexion.

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil

Gently cleanse and soothe your skin with Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil. Infused with centella asiatica extract, this lightweight oil effectively removes makeup, dirt, and impurities while calming and hydrating the skin. It leaves your complexion feeling clean, refreshed, and balanced.

Isntree Mugwort Calming Clay Mask

Isntree Mugwort Calming Clay Mask combines the detoxifying properties of clay with the soothing benefits of mugwort extract to cleanse pores and reduce inflammation. It's perfect for sensitive and acne-prone skin, leaving your complexion clear, calm, and revitalized.

Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick : Mugwort+Camelia SPF50 PA++++

Protect your skin with Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camellia SPF50+ PA++++. This convenient sun stick provides broad-spectrum protection against UV rays while soothing and nourishing the skin with mugwort and camellia extracts. Its matte finish ensures a non-greasy, shine-free look, perfect for daily use.

Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner

Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner combines aloe vera to hydrate and calm the skin with BHA to gently exfoliate and unclog pores. It's ideal for all skin types, particularly those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, promoting a clear, smooth, and refreshed complexion.

💎 Show Now 10 Step Korean skin care routine set 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 Combination Skin

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner

Calm and balance your skin with Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner. Enriched with heartleaf extract, this toner provides soothing relief to irritated and sensitive skin while hydrating and restoring its natural balance. It's perfect for daily use to maintain a healthy, calm, and clear complexion.

I'm From Rice Cream

Nourish and brighten your skin with I'm From Rice Cream. This luxurious cream is enriched with rice extract to provide deep hydration, improve skin tone, and enhance elasticity. Its rich texture absorbs quickly, leaving your skin smooth, radiant, and revitalized.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ is a lightweight sun gel that provides broad-spectrum UV protection while delivering intense moisture with hyaluronic acid. It's perfect for daily use, leaving your skin hydrated, protected, and non-greasy.

Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream

Deeply hydrate and nourish your skin with Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream. This rich cream is formulated with hyaluronic acid to deliver long-lasting moisture and improve skin elasticity. It's perfect for dry and dehydrated skin, leaving your complexion plump, smooth, and rejuvenated.

Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner

Refresh and balance your skin with Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner. This toner is infused with green tea extract to provide antioxidant protection, control excess oil, and soothe irritated skin. It's ideal for oily and combination skin types, leaving your complexion fresh, clear, and revitalized.

💎 Show Now 10 Step Korean skin care routine set 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

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence

Exfoliate and renew your skin with Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence. This essence contains AHA derived from chestnut extract to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, improve skin texture, and reveal a brighter complexion. It's perfect for all skin types, promoting a smooth, radiant glow.

Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Manyo Factory Pure Cleansing Oil is a gentle yet effective makeup remover that removes waterproof mascaras, dirt, and impurities while hydrating and soothing the skin. It's enriched with natural oils to leave your skin clean, soft, and radiant without any greasy residue.

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++

Shield your skin from UV rays with Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++. This lightweight sun cream provides broad-spectrum protection while nourishing the skin with rice extract and probiotics. It enhances skin barrier function, leaving your complexion protected, hydrated, and healthy.

Cosrx The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum

Cosrx The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum is a potent serum infused with six types of peptides to improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and enhance skin texture. It delivers intense hydration and rejuvenation, leaving your skin smooth, firm, and youthful.

AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum

Brighten and even out your complexion with AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum. This serum targets dark spots and hyperpigmentation with niacinamide and plant-derived extracts, promoting a more even skin tone. It also provides hydration and a radiant glow, perfect for achieving a clear, luminous complexion. 

💎 Show Now 10 Step Korean skin care routine set for normal skin

⭐️ 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

Etude SoonJung 10-Free Moist Emulsion

Etude SoonJung 10-Free Moist Emulsion formulated with panthenol and madecassoside to calm and moisturize dry, sensitive skin. It's free from harmful chemicals, making it ideal for delicate skin types, providing long-lasting hydration and comfort.

By Wishtrend Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash

Exfoliate and cleanse your skin with By Wishtrend Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash. This unique powder wash combines green tea powder and enzymes to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and impurities, leaving your skin smooth, clear, and refreshed. It's perfect for all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser

Purify and hydrate your skin with Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser. This gentle cleanser is enriched with deep sea water and minerals to thoroughly cleanse while maintaining the skin's moisture balance. Its mild formula is suitable for all skin types, leaving your complexion clean, soft, and hydrated.

I'm From Mugwort Essence

Soothe and rejuvenate your skin with I'm From Mugwort Essence. This essence is rich in mugwort extract to calm and nourish sensitive and irritated skin. It provides deep hydration and enhances the skin's natural radiance, leaving your complexion balanced, smooth, and revitalized.

Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream

Calm and repair your skin with Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream. This gentle cream contains guaiazulene and centella asiatica extract to soothe irritation and promote healing. It's perfect for sensitive and troubled skin, providing deep nourishment and calming relief, ensuring a healthy and refreshed complexion.

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? )