How to Figure Out Your Skin Type

Almost every skincare article and product recommendation mentions your skin type. It can be confusing to figure out exactly what your skin needs when you don’t know your skin type. There are three main skin types: dry, oily, and normal/combination skin. Your skincare products will only work if they are made for your specific skin type. 

You might be wondering, “What is my skin type?” Skin type charts are available online, but they don’t provide a lot of information. If you want to learn exactly how to figure out your skin type, follow this in-depth guide. 

 

Normal Skin

Normal skin describes the lucky people without any dryness, excess oil, or blemishes on their faces. Many mainstream beauty products are marketed toward people with normal skin. If you have normal skin, it tends to stay in a perfect balance between dry and oily. You likely don’t demonstrate sensitivity towards most products. 

How to Know If You Have Normal Skin 

So how exactly do you figure out if your skin is the normal type? If you don’t struggle with skin concerns, you may not realize you have normal skin. Here are some indicators that you fall into the normal skin category. 

You have normal skin if:

  • Your pores are small
  • Your skin is blemish-free
  • You don’t get dry patches
  • You don’t have sensitivity or redness
  • You can use almost any product with no problems
  • Your skin tone stays even and radiant

If these descriptors match your skin, you have a normal skin type. This doesn’t mean you never have slight blemishes or oily seasons, but in general, your skin is pretty easygoing. 

What to Do for Normal Skin

Normal skin is the most agreeable skin type to build a routine for. You can decide to wash your face either once or twice per day. If you want to create a full daily skincare routine, you will have a morning routine and a nighttime routine. 

In the morning, start with a cleanser, like our Revitalizing Cleansing Oil with Bakuchiol . This cleanser contains an all-natural retinol replacement that defies aging. Starting with this cleanser will wash away any products from the night before and prepare your skin for the day. Follow with a daytime moisturizer, like our Moisture Replenishing Day Cream . This will help hydrate your skin after washing it. 

In the evening, use your cleansing oil again to remove makeup, dirt, and debris from your pores. You can follow this step with our Recovering Night Cream with Bakuchiol . This nighttime moisturizer works to renew your skin cells and fights against aging with antioxidants. You can enjoy smoother, more radiant skin in the morning. 

 

Dry Skin

Dry skin can give your face an aged appearance and feel rough in texture. People with dry skin may find themselves sensitive to harsh exfoliants and chemicals. Redness, rough patches, and a dull skin tone are hallmark signs of dry skin. 

How to Know If You Have Dry Skin

Most people with dry skin know their skin type because it feels uncomfortable. However, dry skin can be confused with sensitive skin, or you may experience both skin types. Here are some signs that your skin is dry. 

You have dry skin if:

  • Exfoliation dries out your skin
  • Your skin feels tight after cleansing
  • You have a rough texture and dry patches
  • The sun makes your skin uncomfortable
  • Your skin tone is dull and uneven
  • Cold weather cracks and peels your skin
  • You have a lot of fine lines and wrinkles 
  • Heavy skin products do not break you out

These are all signs that you have a dry skin type. Dry skin can be unpleasant and even painful if you don’t get enough moisture from your skincare products. With our hydrating natural skincare products, you can experience smooth, soft skin again.

What to Do for Dry Skin

If your skin is dry, you should avoid washing your face with a cleanser in the morning. Instead, rinse your face with cool water. Follow this step with our Replenishing Day Cream . For added moisture, apply our Restoring Face Oil after the day cream. This oil is lightweight and hydrating. 

At night, use our gentle cleansing oil that cleans while it moisturizes your skin. You can also use our Rice Milk Crème Cleanser , as it’s gentle on the skin and creamy in texture. Follow with our face oil, or for ultra-intense hydration, our Super Cream with Bakuchiol . This cream delivers high-intensity moisturization while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. 

Our Rose Hip and Lotus Nourishing Dew Mask is another hydrating product to moisturize and soothe your skin. Use morning or night on clean, dry skin. You can leave this gentle mask on overnight if you wish. Rinse off the mask after use. 

 

Oily Skin

Oily skin tends to be acne prone. If you struggle with frequent breakouts, blackheads, and blemishes, you probably have oily skin. Some areas of your face may be oilier than others, making your skin more of a combination type. 

Skin type charts often group combination skin with normal skin, but any oil concerns fit better into the oily skin category. Either way, you will need products that control oil while nourishing your skin cells. 

How to Know If You Have Oily Skin

People with acne know the struggle of trying to clear out oil and sweat from their pores. This can be difficult if your skin overproduces oils. Whether you have combination or fully oily skin, there are some common signs to be aware of. 

You have oily skin if:

  • Your skin always breaks out
  • You have large, painful acne
  • Your face naturally looks shiny or greasy
  • You get breakouts if you skip a face wash
  • You have lots of blackheads
  • Your phone seems greasy after it’s against your face
  • Your pillowcase gets dirty easily
  • Gentle cleansers don’t clear your pores
  • You have enlarged pores

These are all signs that it’s time for some serious oil control. You don’t have to use harsh chemicals to cleanse your oily skin. Here are some natural products for acne control.

What to Do for Oily Skin

In the morning, you should cleanse with your favorite Whish cleanser . This will wipe away any oil, sweat, and debris that has collected on your skin overnight. Follow with our lightweight day cream for a layer of moisture. If you don’t add any moisturizing products to your oily skin, it can start to produce even more oils, furthering the problem.

At night, use our Renewing Mud Mask with Bakuchiol to rejuvenate your complexion and clear away dead skin. This will detox your skin and draw out any excess oils that are clogging your pores. Follow a cleansing and moisturizing routine afterward. We recommend avoiding heavy oils or creams overnight, as they can clog your pores. A light layer of moisturizer is sufficient for oily skin. 

 

Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, you may often wonder how to figure out your skin type because your skin seems delicate and reactive. If you often wonder, “What is my skin type?” you may be using the wrong products. 

This can be confusing and lead to the overuse of irritating products. Acne breakouts are different from sensitive skin reactions, but it can be hard to tell the difference. 

People with any other skin type can have sensitive skin. This is an additional skin concern that needs attention in your skincare routine. You may have to double up on products that address sensitivity with your other skin concerns. 

How to Know If You Have Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can be very hard to care for because of reactions like hives, rashes, and dry patches. You have likely noticed that mainstream beauty products won’t work for you if you have sensitive skin. Here are some ways to tell if you fit into this category. 

You have sensitive skin if:

  • Most products are too harsh 
  • Your skin gets red easily
  • You have extremely dry patches after using products
  • You can only use natural, plant-based skincare
  • You experience itching, dryness, and discomfort often
  • You feel a burning sensation after using products
  • You experience inflammation often
  • You can’t use exfoliants 
  • Your face gets sunburned easily 

These are all indicators that you need a specialized routine for your sensitive skin. Our gentle skincare products are perfect for delicate skin types. 

What to Do for Sensitive Skin

In the morning, use a gentle cleanser. You can also just rinse with cool water if cleansing twice a day is too harsh for your skin. Apply our day cream for added moisture and soothing. This cream contains anti-inflammatory botanical ingredients that combat sensitivity and redness. 

At night, use a gentle cleanser and follow with moisturizer. Use our face oil if it provides the added hydration you need. 

Our Nourishing Dew Mask is anti-inflammatory and gently soothes and moisturizes your skin. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend leaving this mask on overnight. In the morning, your skin will feel soft and rejuvenated. 

 

Caring for Your Skin Type

At Whish, we use gentle, plant-based ingredients so you can experience clean beauty without harsh chemicals. No matter what skin type you are, you can enjoy our hydrating, renewing products. Experience total skin rejuvenation with soothing, natural ingredients at Whish Beauty!