What is your skin type? Find out in two simple steps

How can I find it out? We have a really quick test which instantly determines which skin type you have and which products are best suited to it.

How to find out your skin type in two steps:

1. Wash your face with a gentle cleansing product, dry it and leave it clean for half an hour; don’t use any other products.
2. Then examine your face closely. Are there dry or greasy patches appearing on it? Or a combination of both? Here’s what you need to know:

• If your skin is tight, almost ‘too small’ for your face, and you have dry patches on your cheeks, around your nose and eyes in particular, you probably have dry skin.
• If, after a shower, your skin is nice and plump and radiant and your wrinkles are showing less, but then half an hour later you need to moisturise it, you have dehydrated skin.
• If your skin is red, itchy or burns, you probably have sensitive skin. But be careful; sensitive skin can also be dry, oily or combination at the same time.
• If you have dry patches on your face, but your forehead, nose and chin are shiny, you have combination skin.
• If your skin is shiny everywhere and you need to cleanse your face again, you have oily skin.
• And if your skin feels absolutely fine, it doesn’t burn, it doesn’t get overly shiny and it doesn’t feel tight or dry then congratulations, you have normal skin.

Products for different skin types:

Dry skin

Forget about lightweight gels and creams. Dry skin is lacking in oil. You need to provide it with intensive hydration and high-quality oils. Look out for products which contain squalane, shea butter or ceramides. 

Dehydrated skin

Whilst dry skin is lacking in oil, dehydrated skin is in need of a large dose of water. This is why it looks so good in wet environments, such as tropical or steamy places. Choose products which contain ingredients that bind water and retain it in the skin. Hyaluronic acid or glycerine are ideal for this.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin, which quickly becomes reddened by a change in environment or cream, needs the most gentle care. Introduce new products into your skincare routine very carefully and gradually, so that you can quickly detect the ones which cause problems.

Combination to normal skin

Combination skin is often the sort that was absolutely fine until the persistent use of the wrong kind of products disrupted its balance. Therefore, try to avoid drying it out or making it overly oily. Your skin will thank you for it.

Oily Skin

Oily skin is troublesome in youth, but shouldn’t bother you in later life. It looks younger for longer and wrinkles don’t just appear overnight. Forget about shea and cocoa butter, and instead reach for light gels and creams. But you definitely need to rub them in well.

So now you know which skin type you have and which creams will suit you best. Which one are you going for?