My Skin Type Wake-Up Call (How to Know Your Skin Type?)
If you’ve ever bought a skincare product just because your cousin swore by it, your favorite influencer raved about it, or the commercial made it look magical… then hi, we’ve probably lived the same story.
When I think back to my teenage years, I honestly laugh (and cringe) at my skincare habits. I had zero clue about skin types. I just grabbed whatever was trendy or looked nice in an ad. Back then, my daily “skincare routine” was Dove soap, the same bar my family used for hands and body. I thought I was doing the right thing, but my skin? It turned dry, tight, itchy, and full of little bumps and pimples. My skin was constantly breaking out, and I had no idea it was because the soap was stripping away my natural oils.
When I finally switched to face washes, I didn’t bother figuring out my actual skin type. I assumed I had dry skin (because, hello, flakes!) and picked products for dry skin without thinking twice. Sometimes they helped a little, sometimes they made things worse. If a friend or cousin liked a product, I bought it. I even jumped on random DIY skincare trends I saw online. The results? Temporary improvements followed by the same old problems.
The real turning point came when I stumbled upon an article about combination skin. I’d never heard of it before, but something clicked; could this be me? The idea that your face could be oily in some places and dry in others made so much sense to me. I did some research, tested my skin, and finally confirmed it. From then on, I started buying products made for my skin type, and almost every choice was a win. My skin wasn’t perfect overnight, but it was healthier, calmer, and way less unpredictable.
And that’s why I’m writing this, because once you figure out your skin type, everything else about skincare becomes easier. If you’ve ever wondered why nothing seems to work for you, it might just be because you don’t truly know your skin type. Let’s fix that today, together.
Why Knowing Your Skin Type Changes Everything
Think of your skin type as your skincare GPS. Without it, you’re driving blind, wasting money, time, and patience on products that aren’t built for your skin’s needs.
Before I knew my skin type, my bathroom shelf looked like a skincare graveyard, half-used bottles of cleansers, moisturizers, and serums that didn’t deliver. Looking back, it wasn’t that these products were “bad.” They just weren’t meant for my skin’s needs.
Here’s what happened to me before I knew mine:
- I used heavy creams because my skin feels tight, which leads to instant breakouts.
- I tried strong acne washes when the reason for my acne was dryness – I ended up with redness and peeling.
- I bought products my friends loved – they made my skin worse.
Once I learned how to know my skin type, everything became so much easier. I could walk into a store, glance at the labels, and instantly know what was worth trying.
Knowing your skin type helps you:
- Shop smarter (no more random buying sprees).
- See results faster because products are actually right for you.
- Avoid irritation from formulas your skin doesn’t need.
- Build a routine that feels simple and works.
And here’s the good news: figuring out your skin type isn’t complicated. You can do it at home with zero fancy tools. I’ll share exactly how in a moment, but first, let’s quickly break down the different types of skin.
The 5 Main Skin Types & How They Behave
When I first read about skin types, I thought, “Okay, but how am I supposed to feel the difference?” The descriptions felt so vague. So, let’s make it clear and relatable:
- Normal Skin: Balanced oil and moisture, rarely gets flaky or overly shiny, products work easily without much reaction. (If this is you, congratulations, please know the rest of us are jealous.)
- Dry Skin:Feels tight, rough, or flaky, makeup can look patchy, and needs richer moisturisers. This was my initial guess for myself, but it turned out my cleanser was actually the culprit.
- Oily Skin: Shiny all over, especially the T-zone. Prone to enlarged pores and breakouts. Loves lightweight, oil-free formulas. I’ve had oily days, but it’s never been my full-time skin type.
- Combination Skin: Oily in some areas (usually T-zone), dry or normal elsewhere. Needs a balanced approach – gentle cleansing + targeted moisture. This is me, officially. I’ve learned to keep both sides of my skin happy.
- Sensitive Skin
Easily irritated, red, or itchy. Reacts to fragrances, harsh cleansers, or extreme weather. Needs calming, hypoallergenic products. This can happen alongside any of the above types. I get mild sensitivity when my barrier is damaged, especially after trying overly harsh exfoliants.
How to Know Your Skin Type at Home
The way I finally confirmed my skin type was by doing these two straightforward tests. No appointments, no expensive tools.
The Bare-Faced Method
- Wash your face gently with a mild cleanser.
- Pat dry, then leave your skin bare – no moisturizer, toner, or serums.
- Wait 30 minutes.
- Look in the mirror and feel your skin:
- If it feels shiny all over, you probably have oily skin.
- If it feels tight or flaky, you might have dry skin.
- If it’s shiny in the T-zone but dry on cheeks, you likely have combination skin.
- If none of these apply, your skin is probably normal.
- If it feels shiny all over, you probably have oily skin.
The Blotting Sheet Test
- Press a clean blotting sheet or tissue gently on different areas of your face.
- Hold it up to the light to see how much oil is visible:
- Oil all over means oily skin.
- Oil mainly on the T-zone means combination skin.
- Little to no oil means dry or normal skin.
- Oil all over means oily skin.
When I did both tests, the results were identical, and I realized my oily forehead and dry cheeks perfectly matched combination skin, finally, a clear answer!
What Next? How to Use This Knowledge
Knowing your skin type is the first big step, but it’s only the beginning. Now that you’re armed with the right info, you can start choosing products that are suitable for you, instead of guessing or copying others.
If you want a quick guide on caring for combination skin (like me) or building a routine that works for your skin type, I’ve put together some easy-to-follow posts you’ll love:
These posts dig into products, routines, and lifestyle tips that can help you finally get skin that feels like your skin should: balanced, healthy, and happy.
Common Skin Type Mistakes
Most of us don’t try to identify our skin type; we sort of guess it based on random clues. I used to think, “Oh, my cheeks feel dry, so I must have dry skin.” That was my entire scientific process.
I can laugh about it now, but that one guess led to years of skincare mix-ups. I’d buy thick, heavy creams thinking I was “nourishing” my skin… only to end up with oily breakouts on my T-zone. Or I’d try my friend’s “miracle cleanser” (aka a foaming wash meant for oily skin) and end up with tight, itchy cheeks.
Here are a few mistakes I made, and see if any sound familiar:
- Copying someone else’s routine. My cousin had gorgeous skin, so I figured using exactly what she used would give me the same glow. Spoiler: it didn’t.
- Judging by one bad skin day. Sometimes my skin was oily, sometimes it was flaky, and I didn’t realize that could mean combination skin instead of it “changing types.”
- Falling for ads. If a product promised “for all skin types” and came in a pretty bottle, I’d buy it. But “all skin types” is often a marketing shortcut.
- Skipping the test. I had no idea there were simple at-home tests that could actually confirm my skin type.
It wasn’t until I started reading up on skin biology and actually testing my skin that the puzzle pieces started falling into place. Once I knew I had combination skin, I stopped bouncing between random products and started actually shopping with intention.
The moral? Guessing your skin type is like guessing your shoe size. You might get lucky… but you’ll probably just end up uncomfortable.
I wasted years (and way too much money) trying random skincare because I didn’t know my skin type. The day I figured it out, my skin finally made sense, and so did my shopping.
Now I want to hear from you. Have you ever guessed your skin type wrong and bought products that didn’t work? Or maybe you’re still figuring it out and need a little guidance? I’d love to hear from you!
Drop a comment below and share your skin journey, questions, or even the products you’ve struggled with. Let’s chat, because skincare is way easier when we learn and grow together.
Visit my website Tips to Glow for skincare tips and follow me on Instagram! <3