Knowing your skin type can unlock a wealth of knowledge about the products and routines that will help you achieve a soft, supple, and radiant complexion.

What is Skin Typing?

The main factor in determining which skin type you have lies in the amount of sebum you naturally produce. Sebum is a waxy, oily substance created by our sebaceous glands, and it’s a fundamental ingredient in building up our skin barrier. It helps lock in moisture, keep bacteria out, and prevent infection. When our sebaceous glands produce too much or too little sebum, it can cause some of our most common skin concerns, like acne, clogged pores, flakes, and sensitivity.

Sebum production fluctuates throughout our lives. For example, hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation creates a surge in sebum, leading to the breakouts we associate with these phases of our lives.

There is also a genetic link, which means that our skin types are typically determined by our parents. Environmental factors can play a role, as well. Using harsh cleansers or living in particularly low-humidity climates can strip your skin of sebum, leading to temporary dry skin until your body can resupply your sebaceous glands.

Normal Skin Type

Normal skin is often referred to as the “Goldilocks” type because the amount of sebum it produces is just right. There are no areas of dryness or oiliness because the skin is able to maintain even, balanced hydration levels.

Signs of Normal Skin

  • Tight, nearly invisible pores
  • Natural radiance
  • No sensitivity or redness after using products
  • Suppleness and softness, thanks to balanced moisture
  • Few blemishes and breakouts, if any

Products for Normal Skin

Dry Skin Type

When the sebaceous glands underproduce sebum, our skin struggles to do its job of protecting against environmental damage and lacks vital moisture to maintain its elasticity. Dry skin is not the same thing as dehydrated skin, though. Dry skin stems from a lack of oils, while dehydrated skin is caused when our bodies don’t have enough water to help our skin matrix thrive.

Signs of Dry Skin

  • Cracks and flakes
  • Tight, nearly invisible pores
  • Patches of redness, especially on the cheeks
  • Dull complexion
  • Visible fine lines
  • Itchiness, irritation, and tightness, especially after showering, cleansing, and applying powder-based makeup

Products for Dry Skin

Oily Skin Type

Oily skin stems from an overproduction of sebum, which can quickly clog pores and cause frequent breakouts. One crucial thing to keep in mind is that oily skin can still be dehydrated, so it is absolutely necessary to moisturize daily. Otherwise, your sebaceous glands will produce even more sebum to compensate for the lack of H20.

Signs of Oily Skin

  • Shiny, slick skin, especially along the forehead and down the nose
  • Skincare products seem to “melt” off of your skin; cosmetics run or smear
  • Frequent breakouts and blemishes
  • Enlarged pores
  • Skin appears plump with a “thick” complexion
  • Blemishes leave darker spots– a condition called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
  • Fewer fine lines and wrinkles

Products for Oily Skin

Combination Skin Type

With combination skin, you contend with the issues associated with both dry and oily skin. Your T-zone– which includes your forehead, nose, and chin– will overproduce sebum, while the areas around your eyes, mouth, and cheeks will underproduce sebum. Alternatively, you may have normal skin in those areas, as opposed to dry. You’ll need to mix and match products across the different areas of your skin to achieve balance.

Signs of Combination Skin

  • Large pores in your T-zone
  • Patches of rough, dry, irritated skin on your cheeks
  • Prone to blackheads
  • Trouble finding products that conquer all of your skin concerns

Products for Combination Skin

Wrap Up

If you’re still not sure which skin type you have or would prefer to get expert advice before you make changes to your skincare routine, we invite you to visit Advanced Skin Therapeutics. Our providers will help you pinpoint the products that will enhance and rejuvenate your complexion, fight back against the signs of aging, and maintain your natural radiance.