How to determine your skin type

Knowing your skin type is essential for developing an effective skincare routine. Here's how to figure out what type of skin you have.

What is my skin type?

Knowing your skin type and understanding how best to care for it will reward you beyond just having healthy looking skin. While we pay attention to our skin because it’s such an important part of our appearance, there are other important reasons to understand it and take care of it. 

Your skin plays many crucial roles in contributing to your overall health, one of which is as your first line of defence against the environment and microbial attacks. Each of us has a unique skin microbiome (a community of bacteria, mites and viruses) that works together with our immune system to protect us from bad bacteria and help keep us healthy. The health of your skin and its microbiome can directly impact your overall health. So, maintaining healthy skin is about more than just appearances. 

Read on to find out about the different skin types, how to know what skin type you have, changes that can occur to your skin and finally, some suggested skin care products to use for your specific skin type.

Skin types

Well-balanced skin type

A well-balanced or “normal” skin type is not always the norm. But, if you’re lucky enough to have it, you’ll find that it’s not noticeably oily, dry or sensitive and it will be smooth, firm, supple and generally blemish free. A normal skin type is characterised by barely visible pores and a healthy looking, even complexion.

Find out more about well-balanced skin type here.

Combination Skin Type

With a combination skin type your skin can be dry or normal in some areas and oily in others, particularly on the T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin). A combination skin type is characterised by pores that look larger than normal, blackheads and shiny skin (occurring mainly in the T-zone).

Find out more about combination skin type here.

Dry skin type

A dry skin type can be characterised by invisible pores, dull complexion, tight skin (particularly after washing) and visible lines.

Find out more about dry skin here.  

Very dry skin type

A very dry skin type can be characterised by invisible pores, dull complexion, flakiness, tight skin (particularly after washing), visible lines and wrinkles and easily irritated skin. 

Find out more about very dry skin here.

Sensitive skin type

Sensitive skin is easily prone to irritation, allergic reactions, redness, blemishes, or inflammation, caused by many different factors, such as allergens, the weather, your diet, pollution, stress or even certain skincare products. 

Find out more about sensitive skin here.

Oily skin type

An oily skin type is a result of your sebaceous glands producing too much oil, often making your skin look shiny or greasy, with blackheads and pimples. 

Find out more about oily skin here.

How to know what skin type you have

Here are some steps for how to know your skin type:

1. Wash your face: Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. Be sure to remove all makeup, dirt, and oil from your skin.
2. Wait for one hour after washing your face without applying any products to your skin.
3. Observe your skin: Look at your skin in the mirror and observe its appearance. Here are the different skin types and their characteristics:
   • Oily skin type: If your skin looks shiny, especially on the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), and has visible pores, you likely have an oily skin type.
   • Dry skin type: If your skin looks flaky, tight, and rough, you likely have a dry skin type. It may also have a dull appearance and feel itchy. 
   • Normal skin type: If your skin looks balanced and has a smooth texture with no visible pores, you likely have a normal skin type. It's neither too oily nor too dry.
   • Combination skin type: If your skin looks oily in the T-zone and dry on the cheeks, you likely have a combination skin type.
4. Perform a blotting test: You can also perform a blotting test to determine if you have oily or dry skin. Press a tissue against your face for a few seconds, and then observe it. If the tissue has oil on it, you likely have an oily skin type. If there is no oil, but your skin feels tight and dry, you likely have a dry skin type.

If you’d like an easy way to help you determine your skin type, take our skin type finder quiz.

Can your skin type change?

Yes, your skin type can change over time due to various factors such as hormonal changes, ageing, environmental factors, lifestyle habits, and skincare routine. For example, someone who had oily skin in their teenage years may develop dry skin as they get older. Similarly, women may experience changes in their skin type during pregnancy or menopause due to hormonal changes.

Changes in the environment can also affect your skin type. For example, moving to a different climate, exposure to pollution or harsh weather conditions, or spending more time indoors can all affect your skin's hydration levels, texture, and appearance.

Lifestyle habits such as diet, stress levels and smoking can also affect your skin type. A diet high in sugar and processed foods can increase inflammation in the body and lead to acne-prone skin. Similarly, high-stress levels can trigger hormonal changes and increase oil production in the skin, leading to breakouts.

Finally, changes in your skincare routine can also affect your skin type. Using the wrong products or overusing certain skincare products can disrupt your skin's natural balance and lead to changes in texture, oil production, and hydration levels.

If you notice changes in your skin type, it's important to adjust your skincare routine accordingly and consult a dermatologist if you have any concerns or persistent skin issues.

Which skincare products are good for my skin type?

At Sanex, we create products, specifically suited to different skin types, which help to keep your skin performing at its healthy best. We carefully select ingredients and have a team of scientists who work tirelessly to formulate products that hydrate and respect your skin’s natural barrier. Take a look at a few of our skin products and discover their great benefits:

Normal skin type

Sanex Zero% Normal Skin Bath Foam

This pure, caring bath foam for a normal skin type helps to keep your skin in optimal condition. It has been dermatologically tested and developed with carefully selected ingredients, containing no sulfates, no soap or colourants to reduce the risk of skin irritations, and its biodegradable formula helps to respect the environment.

Dry skin type

Sanex Expert Skin Health Moisturising Shower Gel 

This is a moisturising shower gel for dry skin types that gives your skin the hydration boost it needs. It also has an advanced formula that targets the bad bacteria on your skin. It’s dermatologically tested, contains 0% sulphates and respects your skin’s natural pH balance.

Very dry skin type

Sanex Expert Skin Health Pro Hydrate Shower Gel

This body wash for very dry skin types deeply hydrates while boosting your skin’s natural defences by targeting bad bacteria, helping to make it more resistant to external aggressors.   

Sensitive skin type

Sanex Expert Skin Health Hypoallergenic Shower Gel for Sensitive Skin

This is a great product for a sensitive skin type with a soap and sulphate-free formula that minimises the risk of skin irritation. The formula contains a prebiotic and postbiotic complex that targets the bad bacteria on your skin. It’s also been dermatologically tested and respects your skin’s natural pH. 

*Does not contain any sulphate-based surfactants.

**Sanex updates all the fragrances regularly, avoiding, where possible, the use of fragrance allergens regulated under EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.