How to figure out your skin type

people often misdiagnose their skin type, causing them to use products that won’t address their concerns & needs. while seeking an assessment from an esthetician is always a safe way to go, you should be aware of the basics when it comes to differentiating between skin types…dry skin: lacks oil to help protect, lubricate & nourish the skin. if your sebaceous glands don’t produce enough oil/sebum, your lipid barrier (the outermost part of your skin) cannot function properly, allowing water to escape more readily. as a result, your skin can feel rough and tight with flakey patches *not to be confused with dehydrated skin, which is a condition, not a skin type. you can read more on the difference between dry vs. dehydrated skin here*oily skin: is caused by your sebaceous glands producing too much oil. as a result, your skin tends to have a shiny appearance and is prone to breakouts. the good news is, oily skin types often age more slowly because the skin remains lubricated, preventing fine lines and wrinkles *you can read more on how to treat oily skin here*combination skin: is simply having a mix of oily and dry areas on different parts of your face, with the t-zone (forehead, chin and nose) typically being oilier than the cheeks, which tend to be normal to dry. if you have this skin type, always address each concern separately by applying different products to the oily areas than to the dry onesnormal skin: functions properly because it produces the right amount of oil to stay balanced. it’s smooth and soft to the touch, and generally free of blemishes/clogged pores. however, it still requires hydration and protection from outside elements to keep it glowing