How to Know Your Skin Type: A Simple Test at Home
Knowing your skin type is the starting point for every routine, because it decides which cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen will feel right. The easiest way to find your skin type is a simple bare-face test at home: wash your face, wait an hour without applying anything, then look at how your skin feels and where it shines.
This guide explains how to know your skin type, the signs of each type, and where each routine should begin.
The five skin types
- Oily: shiny all over by midday, with visible pores and a tendency to breakouts.
- Dry: tight, rough or flaky, rarely shiny, with small pores.
- Combination: oily on the forehead, nose and chin (the T-zone), normal or dry on the cheeks.
- Normal: comfortable most of the day, neither very oily nor very dry.
- Sensitive: reacts easily with redness, stinging or itching. Sensitivity can sit on top of any of the other types.
The skin type test at home
The bare-face test
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry.
- Do not apply anything. Wait 30 to 60 minutes.
- Notice how your skin feels and look in a mirror in natural light.
| What you notice after an hour | Your likely skin type |
|---|---|
| Shine on the forehead, nose, chin and cheeks | Oily |
| Tightness all over, maybe flaky patches, no shine | Dry |
| Shine on the T-zone only, cheeks normal or tight | Combination |
| Comfortable, little or no shine, no tightness | Normal |
| Redness, stinging or itching after washing | Sensitive, on top of one of the above |
The blotting paper test
For a second check, press clean blotting papers on different parts of your face an hour after washing and hold them up to the light. Oil on every sheet points to oily skin; oil only from the forehead and nose points to combination skin; little or no oil points to dry or normal skin.
How to identify skin type over a normal day
Tests are a snapshot. Your everyday experience is just as useful:
- Do you need to blot your face by lunchtime? Oily or combination.
- Does your skin feel tight after every wash? Dry, or a cleanser that is too harsh.
- Does foundation slide off your nose but cling to dry patches on your cheeks? Combination.
- Do new products often sting? Sensitive.
If your skin feels tight but still looks shiny, it may be oily but dehydrated. Our guide to dry vs dehydrated skin explains the difference.
Where each routine should start
Oily skin
A foaming cleanser made for oily skin, such as the Kojic Acid Foaming Cleanser, a light hydrating toner, a light moisturizer and a matte sunscreen. See our skincare routine for oily skin and the Oily and Acne-Prone Skin collection.
Dry skin
A gentle, soap-free cleanser such as the Niacinamide Daily Cleanser, a hydrating serum such as the Aquaglow Hydrating Serum, a moisturizer on damp skin and sunscreen. See our winter skincare routine for dry skin.
Combination skin
A gentle cleanser, the Hydrating Toner Mist, a light moisturizer with a little extra on dry areas, and a non-greasy sunscreen. See our guide to combination skin.
Normal skin
Keep it simple: cleanser, toner, moisturizer and sunscreen. The Daily Regimen for All Skin Types brings the basics together.
Sensitive skin
Fewer, gentler products, introduced one at a time with a patch test. A calming serum such as the Chamomile Face Serum for Sensitive Skin and the Skin Barrier Repair collection are good places to start.
Your skin type can change
Skin type is not fixed for life. It can shift with the seasons, with age, with hormones, with medicines and with your routine. Many people find their skin oilier in humid summers and drier in winter, and harsh products can make any skin act more sensitive. Repeat the test when the seasons change, and adjust your products to match.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my skin type?
Wash your face, wait 30 to 60 minutes without applying anything, and notice where your skin shines or feels tight. Shine all over suggests oily skin, tightness suggests dry skin, and shine only on the T-zone suggests combination skin.
What is the most accurate skin type test?
The bare-face test, combined with blotting papers and what you notice over a normal day. A dermatologist can assess your skin if you are unsure or have a skin condition.
Can my skin type change?
Yes. Seasons, age, hormones and your routine can all change how your skin behaves. Repeat the test when the weather changes.
Is sensitive a skin type?
Sensitivity is better thought of as a tendency that can come with any skin type. Oily, dry and combination skin can all be sensitive.
Why does my skin feel tight but look oily?
It may be oily but dehydrated. Use a gentle cleanser and add a light hydrating step such as a toner or serum.
Do I need different products for each skin type?
The steps are the same: cleanse, tone, treat, moisturize and protect. The textures and ingredients change with your skin type.
Does skin type affect which sunscreen I should use?
Yes. Oily skin usually prefers a matte, lightweight sunscreen; dry skin prefers one that feels comfortable and does not dry it out. See our guide on how to choose and use sunscreen.
How often should I check my skin type?
Whenever the seasons change or your skin starts behaving differently, such as new tightness or more shine.
The short version
To find your skin type, wash your face, wait an hour and look: shine all over means oily, tightness means dry, shine on the T-zone only means combination, comfort means normal, and redness or stinging means your skin is sensitive. Start your routine from there, and check again when the seasons change.
Sources and further reading
Further reading from dermatology organizations and published research:
