Skincare starts with your skin type – because only then can you find the perfect care tailored to you. Incorrect care can worsen your skin or even lead to redness or irritation. But don't worry: with our skin type test, you'll find out your skin type in no time. I'll also give you some tips on what to consider when caring for your skin.
What Is a Skin Type? Difference Between Skin Type vs. Skin Condition
Skin type basically describes what your skin is like and what characteristics it has. Your skin type is usually determined by your genetics. Skin condition, on the other hand, is only temporary and can change temporarily due to internal or external influences. Short-term skin conditions include dehydrated, blemished, or sensitive skin. Skin also changes with age, tending towards signs of aging or increased dryness.
What Skin Types Are There?
Normal Skin
Normal skin is considered particularly balanced and easy to care for. It is neither oily nor dry and also has very fine pores.
Dry Skin
Dry skin produces too little sebum or lipids and is therefore less protected against moisture loss. It often feels tight, can appear sallow, and can flake with severe dryness. Dryness can make fine lines and wrinkles more visible sooner.
Oily Skin
Oily skin produces too much sebum, which often results in a noticeable oily sheen on the skin. Excess sebum also promotes the development of clogged pores and impurities, such as blackheads and pimples.
Combination Skin
Combination skin combines different skin types: an oily area usually appears in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), while the rest of the face is rather normal to dry.
At the same time, there are also six other skin types that show how sensitive you are to UV radiation and how high your sun protection should be to protect your skin from sunburn and further skin damage. For completeness, I will give you an overview of the other skin types here:
Skin Type I
- Very fair skin, often with freckles
- Red to reddish-blonde hair
- Self-protection time is approx. 10 minutes
- Skin does not tan
- SPF 50+ is recommended
Skin Type II
- Fair skin, often with freckles
- Blonde to brown hair
- Self-protection time is approx. 20 minutes
- Skin tans little to moderately
- SPF 30 to 50+ is recommended
Skin Type III
- Fair to light brown skin, freckles are rather rare
- Dark blonde to brown hair
- Self-protection time is approx. 30 minutes
- Skin tans well when sunbathing
- SPF 30 to 50+ is recommended
Skin Type IV
- Light brown, olive skin, without freckles
- Dark brown hair
- Self-protection time is approx. 50 minutes
- Skin tans quickly and deeply
- SPF 30 is recommended
Skin Type V
- Dark brown skin
- Dark brown to black hair
- Self-protection time is approx. 60 minutes
- Existing tan does not increase
- SPF 20 is recommended
Skin Type VI
- Dark brown to black skin
- Black hair
- Self-protection time is approx. 60 to 90 minutes
- Existing tan does not increase
- SPF 10 to 15 is recommended
In addition to skin type, the UV index is also extremely important for sunbathing. Always make sure to apply enough sunscreen to prevent long-term skin damage - because you can still get a tan despite sunscreen!
The Skin Type Test
- Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser.
- Gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
- Let your skin rest for an hour – without any care products.
- Examine your face closely in the mirror and pay attention to specific features.
How Do I Recognize My Skin Type?
- Your skin feels tight, small wrinkles are visible and you notice flaky areas -> then you probably have dry skin
- Your skin is shiny all over and feels as if it is covered by a film -> then you probably tend to have oily skin
- Your skin feels soft and balanced, neither too dry nor too oily -> then you probably have normal skin
- Your skin looks oily in the T-zone, while other areas are rather dry or normal -> then you probably tend to have combination skin
What Skincare Suits Which Skin Type?
Normal Skin
Normal skin is considered particularly uncomplicated and easy to care for. Every skin loses moisture throughout the day, so even with normal skin, you should ensure it is sufficiently rehydrated.
A mild and gentle cleansing is also absolutely essential to free the skin from sweat, dirt, and sebum. During the day, you should definitely wear sunscreen to protect your skin from UV radiation, premature skin aging, and long-term damage.
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Dry Skin
For dry skin, in addition to moisture, you should also supply lipids and fats, as it lacks them. With a cleansing milk or very gentle cleanser, you prevent your skin from drying out further and gently remove make-up, sweat, and dirt from the day.
With moisturizing serums and toners, you effectively hydrate your skin, but especially in the evening, moisture should be sealed in with an occlusive cream to provide the skin with lasting lipids and moisture. Regular fruit acid peels can also remove dead skin cells and ensure a radiant complexion.
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Oily Skin
Many people make the mistake with oily skin of applying too little moisture – even if the skin produces too much sebum (i.e. oil), it still needs moisture and can even suffer from dehydration at the same time.
Furthermore, skin impurities can arise more quickly and pores can become clogged, so you should focus on clarifying peels and active ingredients such as salicylic acid (BHA) and niacinamide. For creams and sun protection, you can look for a mattifying finish to balance out the oily shine.
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Combination Skin
For combination skin, you can follow the skincare tips for oily skin – for very rough and dry areas on the cheeks, you should apply more moisture precisely to those areas.
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Can the Skin type Change?
Skin type usually remains the same, as it is genetically determined. Only with age do most people tend to have drier and more dehydrated skin. Other changes in the skin rather mean that your skin condition, rather than your skin type, has changed – both can also coexist. So your skin can be oily and dehydrated at the same time.
Common Mistakes When Determining Skin Type
- Confusing skin condition with skin type: Skin condition can change at any time and can also coexist with the actual skin type, meaning your skin can be oily and dehydrated at the same time, for example.
- Judging immediately after washing: You should definitely observe the waiting time and only then assess your skin.
- Considering individual skin areas: Assess your entire facial skin to truly determine your skin type.
