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What Is My Skin Type? 5 Types Explained

Discover your skin type with NIVEA's comprehensive guide. Understand the characteristics of different skin types and how to take care of each one.

What's in this article:

What is a Skin Type?

Skin type refers to the characteristics of your skin that determine how it behaves and reacts to various factors like weather, skincare products and hormonal changes. These characteristics typically include the amount of natural oil (sebum) your skin produces, its level of hydration, and its sensitivity to environmental influences and skincare products. 

Skin types are generally categorised into several main groups: oily, dry, combination, and sensitive, and each has their own individual skincare requirements. However, it is often the case that the skin can meet the criteria of several categories. For example, we can have skin that is both dry and sensitive, or skin that is drier at certain times of the year and oilier at others.
Different skin types and characteristics

5 Common Skin types

  1. Oily Skin 
    Oily skin tends to produce excess sebum, leading to a shiny appearance, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). It is prone to enlarged pores and is more susceptible to blemishes and breakouts due to the buildup of oil and debris.
  2. Dry Skin:  
    Dry skin lacks moisture and often feels tight or rough. It may appear dull and flaky, especially in colder months or in dry climates. Dry skin can be sensitive to harsh skincare products and may be more susceptible to signs of premature ageing like fine lines and wrinkles, which usually appear due to dry skin lacking the delicate balance of oils and moisture, slowing down cell turnover, and making it more vulnerable to damage from pollutants and UV rays.
  3. Combination Skin: 
    Combination skin is characterised by having areas that are both oily (usually the T-zone) and dry or normal (cheeks).
  4. Sensitive Skin:  
    Sensitive skin is easily irritated by external factors such as weather, skincare products, or environmental pollutants. Among other causes, sensitivity can be the result of an underlying skin condition, a weakened skin barrier, or environmental factors such as weather or pollutants. It may react with redness, itching, or burning sensations. 
  5. Normal Skin: 
    Normal skin is well-balanced with neither excessive oiliness nor dryness. It typically has a smooth texture, small pores, and a healthy-looking complexion. Normal skin is less prone to sensitivity or breakouts, making it the least problematic of all skin types.
What is my skin type?

4 Ways to Identify Your Skin Type

1. Visual Inspection:

Visual inspection involves closely examining your skin's appearance and texture in different areas of your face in natural light. 

  • Oily Skin:
    Look for a shiny appearance, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). Enlarged pores may also be noticeable. 
  • Dry Skin:
    Check for flakiness, tightness, or rough patches, particularly after cleansing. It may appear dull and lackluster. 
  • Combination Skin:
    Note oily areas in the T-zone with visible pores, contrasted with drier patches on the cheeks, which may feel tight. 
  • Sensitive Skin:
    Look for signs of redness, itching, or inflammation, especially in reaction to certain products or environmental factors. 
  • Normal skin:
    Look for a consistent texture and colouration without excess shine, dryness, or visible signs of sensitivity.
young woman smiling

2. Blotting Paper Test:

Using blotting paper on your face can help to determine oiliness. For this test, press blotting paper against different areas of your face in the morning before cleansing. 

  • Oily Skin:
    Blotting paper will quickly absorb excess oil, revealing a greasy residue. 
  • Dry Skin:
    Blotting paper may not pick up much oil, indicating a low sebum level. 
  • Combination Skin:
    Blotting paper will absorb oil from the T-zone but less from the cheeks. 
  • Normal Skin:
    Note if the blotting paper picks up minimal oil, indicating a balanced sebum production without excess or deficiencies.
woman applying Nivea Q10 face cream

3. Touch Test:

The touch test involves feeling different areas of your face to assess texture and moisture levels. After washing your hands thoroughly, use your fingertips to assess how your skin feels to the touch. 

  • Oily Skin:
    Skin feels slick and greasy to the touch, particularly in the T-zone. 
  • Dry Skin:
    Skin feels tight, rough, or flaky, indicating a lack of moisture. 
  • Combination Skin:
    T-zone feels oily while cheeks may feel normal or dry to the touch. 
  • Sensitive Skin:
    Notice if the skin reacts negatively to touch, showing signs of redness or irritation. Note that not all sensitive skin will necessarily react to this test, depending on its degree of sensitivity.
  • Normal skin:
    When you touch normal skin, it feels neither excessively oily nor dry. It has a consistent texture and feels smooth to the touch. Normal skin typically does not show signs of redness, irritation, or noticeable bumps. 

4. Professional Skin Analysis:

If you’re still unsure and would like a more conclusive analysis, you can visit a skincare professional for a more accurate assessment. They can conduct tests and analyse your skin under controlled conditions to determine your skin type.

Can your Skin Type Change over Time?

Your skin type can change over time due to various factors such as aging, hormonal changes, lifestyle and environmental conditions. For instance, teenagers often experience oily skin due to hormonal fluctuations, while adults may develop drier skin as they age due to their skin's natural oil production decreasing. 
 
Additionally, factors like pregnancy, menopause, stress, diet and exposure to elements such as sun, wind, and pollution can also influence and alter your skin type over time. Regularly reassessing your skin's needs and adjusting your skincare routine accordingly is essential to maintain healthy-looking skin. 
Facts Overview

Skin Type

Common Skin Types:
Oily, dry, combination, sensitive, and normal skin. 
 
Identifying Skin Types:
Methods include visual inspection, blotting paper tests, and professional analysis. 

Causes of Different Skin Types:
Genetics, environmental factors, hormonal changes, diet, and skincare products influence skin type. 
 
Managing Each Type:
Follow a routine specifically for your skin type, using ingredients beneficial for your skin’s needs.

Tips for Managing Each Skin Type

Proper skincare is essential for maintaining healthy-looking and vibrant skin, regardless of your skin type. Here’s how to manage different skin types effectively:

 

Managing Oily Skin:

  1. Cleanse twice daily to remove excess oil and prevent clogged pores 
  2. Regularly exfoliate to eliminate dead skin cell and impurities
  3. Use non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturisers and sunscreens  
  4. Keep shine in check with mattifying products or blotting papers throughout the day
Advice for Oily Skin
woman cleaning her face

Managing Dry Skin:

  1. Hydrate frequently 
  2. Use creamy, hydrating cleansers that don’t strip natural oils 
  3. Drink plenty of water to maintain skin hydration
Skincare for Dry Skin

Managing Combination Skin:

  1. Use different products for different areas 
  2. Opt for a gentle, balancing cleanser 
  3. Exfoliate once or twice a week but avoid over-exfoliating the drier areas
Advice for Combination Skin

Managing Sensitive Skin:

  1. Always patch-test new products before use to prevent irritation 
  2. Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products designed specifically for sensitive skin 
  3. Simplify your skincare routine  
  4. Use soothing ingredients
Advice for Sensitive Skin

Managing Normal Skin:

  1. Cleanse your face twice daily with a gentle, balanced cleanser  
  2. Exfoliate once a week to remove dead skin cells  
  3. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect against UV damage 
  4. Avoid harsh skincare products that can disrupt the skin's natural balance 
young woman washing her face
Managing different skin types

Skincare Routine for each Skin Type

1. Cleansing:

Cleanse your face to remove oil, dirt, and impurities.

  1. Oily Skin: Opt for a foaming or gel-based cleanser with ingredients like Salicylic Acid to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores.
  2. Dry Skin: Use a milk cleanser that replenishes moisture and soothes dryness. 
  3. Combination Skin: Consider a gentle cleanser that balances oil production without drying out the skin. 
  4. Sensitive Skin: Choose a fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin cleanser with gentle or soothing ingredients like Dexpanthenol.
  5. Normal Skin: A gentle foaming or cream cleanser works well to cleanse without drying or causing excess oil production. 
Explore NIVEA’s Cleansers
young woman using Nivea micellar

2. Toning (optional):

Use a toner to rebalance your skin's pH levels and prepare it for subsequent skincare products 

  1. Oily Skin: Use toner containing Witch Hazel or Salicylic Acid to mattify and tighten pores. 
  2. Dry Skin: Opt for a hydrating toner with ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerin to replenish moisture and soothe dryness. 
  3. Combination Skin: Choose a balancing toner that helps to control oil in the T-zone and hydrates the cheeks, such as a Rosewater-based toner. 
  4. Sensitive Skin: Use a calming, alcohol-free toner with ingredients like Chamomile or Aloe Vera to soothe and hydrate without irritation. 
  5. Normal Skin: A mild, toner helps maintain pH balance and prepares the skin for subsequent skincare products. 
Explore NIVEA’s Toners

3. Treatment (optional):

Apply treatment to help address specific skin concerns such as aging signs, uneven texture, hyperpigmentation or blemishes, by delivering ingredients targeting the specific needs of each skin type.

  1. Oily Skin: Apply a lightweight skincare product with Niacinamide to control oil production and minimise pores. 
  2. Dry Skin: Use a nourishing serum or facial oil rich in antioxidants like Vitamin E to protect the skin barrier or a skincare product containing Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate.
  3. Combination Skin: Target specific concerns with different serums as needed for oily or dry areas, such as a Vitamin C serum for brightening the complexion.
  4. Sensitive Skin: Choose a gentle serum with soothing ingredients like Green Tea Extract to calm the skin. 
  5. Normal Skin: Use a versatile serum containing antioxidants or peptides to maintain health-looking skin and address minor concerns like uneven tone or texture.

There are a number of serums suitable for all skin types to target skin signs that appear at different times of life: fine lines and wrinkles, lack of firmness, dark spots, dull complexion and others. Their lightweight formulas have been designed so that they can be used by all skin types.

Explore NIVEA’s Serums
woman using Nivea face cream

4. Moisturise:

Apply a moisturiser suited to your skin type to hydrate and lock in moisture. 

  1. Oily Skin: Select a non-greasy mattifying moisturiser or gel-based moisturiser to hydrate without without leaving a greasy sensation on the skin.
  2. Dry Skin: Use a rich, creamy moisturiser with ingredients like Shea Butter to deeply nourish and soothe dryness. 
  3. Combination Skin: Apply a lightweight moisturiser to the T-zone and a richer moisturiser to the cheeks or use a moisturiser designed for combination skin, adjusting as needed based on seasonal changes. 
  4. Sensitive Skin: Choose a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturiser with calming ingredients.
  5. Normal Skin: Use a balanced moisturiser suitable for all skin types to maintain hydration and support the general condition of the skin. 
Explore NIVEA’s Face Creams

5. Sun Protection:

Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher as the last step of your skincare routine depending on the weather or season. Sunscreen helps protect your skin from UV damage, premature aging and skin damage. 

Choose a sunscreen that is suitable for your skin type, whether it's a lightweight, matte finish for oily skin or an extra hydrating formula for dry skin. Reapply sunscreen every two hours when exposed to direct sunlight. 

Explore NIVEA’s Face Sunscreens

Summary

Understanding and managing your skin type is essential for effective skincare. Identifying whether your skin is oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or blemish-prone helps tailor your routine to meet its specific needs. Following targeted skincare practices and using products tailored to your skin type is key for maintaining your skin’s health and appearance. By using this guidance and finding the right products for your type, you can work towards achieving healthier, more radiant looking skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I determine my skin type?

You can determine your skin type through visual inspection, blotting paper tests, and professional skin analysis. Look for signs like shine, dryness, and sensitivity to identify oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin.

What are the main characteristics of each skin type?

Oily Skin overproduces sebum, appears shiny in the T-zone with enlarged pores, and is prone to blemishes. 

Dry skin lacks moisture, feels tight or flaky, appears dull, and may show fine lines. 

Combination skin is both oily (T-zone) and normal to dry (cheeks) areas, requiring balanced skincare. 

Sensitive skin is easily irritated, shows redness, itching, or burning reactions, and tends towards dryness. 

Normal skin is well-balanced, feels smooth and supple, with small to medium pores and rare sensitivity or breakouts.

What is combination skin, and how do I manage it?

Combination skin features both oily areas (usually the T-zone) and dry areas (cheeks). Use lightweight, oil-free products for the T-zone and more hydrating products for dry areas and exfoliate weekly.

Why is it important to identify my skin type?

Identifying your skin type helps you choose the right skincare products and routines, ensuring you address your skin's specific needs effectively for healthier-looking skin.

Can my skin type change over time?

Yes, skin type can change due to factors like age, hormonal changes, environmental conditions, and lifestyle habits, so it's important to reassess your skin type periodically. 

How many skin types are there?

There are five main skin types: oily, dry, combination, sensitive, and normal. Each type has unique characteristics and usually requires specific care routines for healthy-looking skin. However, it is possible to have attributes of different skin types. For example, you can have both dry and sensitive skin. Fortunately, there are also products that are suitable for all skin types or that are specifically designed for several types, such as dry and sensitive skin.

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