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Skin Science

Understanding Your Skin Type: A Complete Guide

September 28, 2025 · 10 min read

Knowing your skin type is the foundation of an effective skincare routine. Using products designed for the wrong skin type can lead to breakouts, irritation, and frustration. This complete guide will help you identify your skin type and choose products that actually work.

The 4 Main Skin Types

1. Oily Skin

Characteristics:

  • Shiny appearance, especially in T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)
  • Enlarged, visible pores
  • Prone to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne
  • Makeup may not last long
  • Skin looks greasy a few hours after cleansing

Best Products: Oil-free cleansers, lightweight gel moisturizers, salicylic acid, niacinamide, clay masks

Avoid: Heavy creams, oil-based products, over-cleansing

2. Dry Skin

Characteristics:

  • Feels tight, especially after cleansing
  • Flaky, rough texture
  • Fine lines more visible
  • Dull complexion
  • May experience redness or irritation

Best Products: Cream cleansers, rich moisturizers, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, facial oils

Avoid: Harsh cleansers, alcohol-based products, over-exfoliating

3. Combination Skin

Characteristics:

  • Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)
  • Normal to dry cheeks
  • May have enlarged pores in oily areas
  • Different concerns in different face zones

Best Products: Gentle cleansers, lightweight moisturizers, targeted treatments for different zones

Strategy: Multi-masking (clay mask on T-zone, hydrating mask on cheeks)

4. Sensitive Skin

Characteristics:

  • Reacts easily to products or environment
  • Frequent redness, stinging, or burning
  • May have underlying conditions (rosacea, eczema)
  • Easily irritated by fragrances or harsh ingredients

Best Products: Fragrance-free products, gentle cleansers, soothing ingredients (centella, oatmeal)

Avoid: Fragrances, essential oils, harsh acids, extreme temperatures

How to Determine Your Skin Type

The Bare-Faced Test

  1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
  2. Pat dry and wait 30 minutes (no products!)
  3. Observe how your skin feels:
    • Shiny all over? Oily skin
    • Tight or flaky? Dry skin
    • Shiny T-zone, normal elsewhere? Combination
    • Comfortable? Normal skin

The Blotting Paper Test

  1. Press blotting paper on different areas of your face
  2. Hold up to light to see oil absorption:
    • Oil everywhere? Oily skin
    • Little to no oil? Dry skin
    • Oil only in T-zone? Combination

Common Misconceptions

❌ Myth: Oily skin doesn't need moisturizer

✓ Truth: ALL skin types need hydration. Dehydrated oily skin produces even more oil!

❌ Myth: Dry skin = dehydrated skin

✓ Truth: Dry skin lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water. You can have oily yet dehydrated skin!

❌ Myth: Your skin type never changes

✓ Truth: Skin type can change due to age, hormones, climate, and lifestyle

Track Your Skin Type with Pimpl

Use Pimpl's AI-powered skin analysis to identify your skin type and get personalized product recommendations. Track how your skin responds to different products and adjust your routine for optimal results.

  • ✓ AI skin type analysis
  • ✓ Personalized product recommendations
  • ✓ Track skin changes over time
  • ✓ Identify what works for YOUR unique skin
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