How Do I Know What Skin Type I Have? How To Determine Your Skin Type

Explore the different skin types an discover the characteristics of dry, oily, normal and combination skin, then learn how to determine your own skin type.

To get the most out of your supercharged skincare routine, you should first know what your skin type is! Unlock the secret to your DREAM skincare and beauty routine by discovering your skin type with this helpful guide! Discover the characteristics of dry skin, oily skin, combination skin and normal skin, then learn how you can determine YOUR skin type at home so that you can tailor your routine to you for the best results, darlings!

What is my Skin Type

Discover the Different Skin Types

SKIN TYPE ILLUSTRATION - OILY

Oily Skin

Characteristics of Oily Skin

Oily skin can appear shiny and feel greasy to the touch.

What Causes Oily Skin?

Oily skin produces higher amounts of sebum (your skin’s natural oil), which can clog your pores and cause blackheads and acne. If you’re prone to blemishes and breakouts, you may have oily skin. But don’t worry, there are so many tricks and products to help BALANCE your oily complexion and UNLOCK the best skin of your life! Charlotte’s skincare routine for oily skin features personalised skincare recommendations that work for YOU.

Dry Skin

Characteristics of Dry Skin

Some of the common characteristics of dry skin include skin appearing rough, flaky or scaly and becoming easily irritable or itchy. Dry skin can also look dull or feel tight, which can highlight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin is the opposite of oily skin because it produces less sebum. Fortunately, there are plenty of MAGIC TRICKS to help you get the best out of your dry skin. Charlotte’s skincare routine for dry skin will help you keep on top of moisture and hydration so that your skin looks MAGIC from day to night while helping to keep characteristics of dry skin like flaking and scaling at bay.

SKIN TYPE DIAGRAM - DRY

SKIN TYPE DIAGRAM - NORMAL

Normal Skin

Characteristics of Normal Skin

All skin is normal, but if your skin is well-balanced and doesn’t feel dry or oily, your skincare type is classed as Normal. This means you probably don’t suffer from breakouts or flakiness and your skin is smooth with pores that look refined. Normal skin also feels quite elastic and comfortable.

What Causes Normal Skin?

Normal skin produces just the right amount of sebum to keep it hydrated without making it greasy. But darling, even normal skin still requires some TLC! Charlotte’s skincare routine for normal skin will help you make the most of your normal skin, giving it a HEALTHY-LOOKING GLOW!

Combination Skin

Characteristics of Combination Skin

Combination skin is when your skin shows characteristics of different skin types. You might have an oily T-zone and dry or normal cheeks, for example. If your skin is showing traits of both dryness and oiliness, then there’s a good chance you have combination skin.

What Causes Combination Skin?

Combination skin is when certain parts of your skin produce either too much sebum or not enough sebum. This causes dryness or oiliness in the affected areas. Discover a MIRACLE formula that makes the most of your combination skin with Charlotte’s skincare routine for combination skin. It’s full of TAILORED recommendations and tips to keep your combination skin looking healthy, hydrated and GORGEOUS.

SKIN TYPE DIAGRAM - COMBINATION

How To Determine Your Skin Type

MAGIC METHOD 1: Observe Skin After Cleansing

You can DISCOVER your skincare type with this simple test at home.

MAGIC STEP 1: Simply wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat it dry with a clean towel and leave for 30 minutes. During this time, don’t apply any products. Just allow your skin to BREATHE.

MAGIC STEP 2: After 30 minutes, take a mirror and OBSERVE the characteristics of your skin and how it feels under some natural light.

  • If your skin appears shiny with excess oil, you have the characteristics of OILY skin.
  • If your skin feels tight, dry and flaky, you have the characteristics of DRY skin.
  • If your skin is shiny only on the T-zone, but your face feels tight in other areas, you have the characteristics of COMBINATION skin.
  • If your skin feels comfortable and hydrated with no signs of excess shine or feelings of tightness, you have the characteristics of NORMAL skin.


MAGIC METHOD 2: The Blot Test

Another way to discover your skin type is with the blotting test. Cleanse your face and gently pat it dry with a clean towel before leaving it to breathe without products for 30 minutes. Then, take a blotting sheet and gently press it on different areas of your face.

Hold the blotting sheet up to the light:

  • If it appears abundantly oily, then you likely have OILY skin.
  • If the blotting sheet shows little or no oil, you probably have DRY skin.
  • COMBINATION skin may show up oil on certain parts of your face.
  • NORMAL skin will show up only a minimal amount of oil.

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Author Details

Charlotte Tilbury

Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty

With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.

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