How to Know Your Skin Type (and Why It Changes Everything)

You've bought the cream everyone raves about. Your friend's skin glows. Yours breaks out — or feels tighter than before.

The product might be perfectly good. It just might not be right for your skin type.

The five main skin types

• Normal: balanced, rarely irritated, few visible pores
• Dry: feels tight, may flake, looks dull
• Oily: shiny by midday, larger pores, prone to breakouts
• Combination: oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), drier cheeks
• Sensitive: reacts easily with redness, stinging or itching

The simple at-home test

You don't need special equipment — just an hour and a clean face.

1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.
2. Don't apply any products.
3. Wait 60 minutes, then look in the mirror and notice how your skin feels.

What you might notice:

• Tight and uncomfortable everywhere — likely dry
• Shiny all over — likely oily
• Shiny T-zone, comfortable cheeks — likely combination
• Comfortable, neither shiny nor tight — likely normal

Your skin type isn't fixed

Skin changes with the seasons, hormones, stress, diet and age. Many people find their skin becomes drier in winter and oilier in summer. It's worth repeating the test a few times a year and adjusting your routine accordingly.

Skin type vs skin concern

Your skin type describes its natural behaviour. A skin concern is something specific you want to address — pigmentation, fine lines, dehydration or breakouts. You can have oily skin that is also dehydrated, so treat both.

When to see a professional

If you experience persistent redness, painful breakouts or irritation that doesn't settle, speak to a GP or dermatologist. Some conditions, such as rosacea or eczema, need proper diagnosis.

Once you know your skin type, choosing products becomes far easier. Explore The SkinWish range filtered by skin type.