Determining your skin type can help you decide which products to use, but it’s a moving target. Skin type can change seasonally or with age. It can even change from week to week.

Don’t worry; although your skin type may change, that doesn’t mean your skincare routine needs to be more complicated. Here, we’ll explain the different skin types and which skincare products generally work best for each. We’ll also share methods for determining your skin type and answer some frequently asked questions.

Getting to know the different skin types

Skin type is not a formal diagnosis, but it’s used by dermatology providers to categorize skincare and make product recommendations. The American Academy of Dermatology identifies 5 skin types: normal, sensitive, dry, oily, and combination.¹ In other words, although you may experience predominantly oily skin, you may still experience combination skin. And on top of all that, as you age, your skin type may change.

Here are typical characteristics of the 5 skin types:

Normal skin

Normal skin is balanced, healthy skin—not too oily or too dry. It’s usually clear and not prone to breakouts, sensitivities, or blemishes. Normal skin has a soft and supple texture. Curology board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Julie Akiko Gladsjo, says, “Normal skin is often described as having no signs of dry flakes or shiny oil. Skin tends to feel smooth and is not overly reactive.”

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is easily irritated by environmental conditions, such as the weather, and skin conditions, such as rosaceaand eczema. It’s prone to inflammation, redness, itching, burning, stinging, and pain. Allergic or contact dermatitis can be more common in this skin type.²

Dry skin

Dry skin produces less sebum (natural oil) than other skin types. Dry skin is often confused with dehydrated skin, but they differ. Dehydrated skin is a condition triggered by weather, diet, and lifestyle choices. Dry skin is a skin type that feels tight and appears dull and scaly. It may itch, sting, or burn. Often, fine lines and wrinkles are evident.

Oily skin

Oily skin is a result of excess oil (sebum). The skin appears shiny and may feel greasy. Oily skin tends to be prone to acne, enlarged pores, and frequent whiteheads and blackheads. Over-the-counter products might not be strong enough to knock back pimples in this skin type.

Combination skin

Most people have combination skin with oily areas (often the T-zone: forehead, nose, and chin) and dry areas (the cheeks). Combination skin is affected by seasonal fluctuations; it can be very dry in the winter and oily during the summer months. It can also change due to hormonal fluctuations and stress.

How to determine your skin type

When it comes to determining whether you have normal, dry, oily, or combination skin, be aware that any of these skin types can also be sensitive or acne-prone. That said, oily skin is much more likely to be acne-prone, and dry skin is more often sensitive.

Understanding your skin type can help you determine which products are best for you. Use the descriptions above as you work through one or both of these methods to ascertain your skin type.

Wash and wait method

Wash your face gently with lukewarm water, wait an hour, and then check out your skin in the mirror. What do you see?

• Smooth skin, no signs of dry patches or shiny oil: Your skin type is normal.

• Slick and shiny, larger pores: Your skin type is oily.

• Dry patches, tight feeling: Your skin type is dry.

• An oily T-zone (forehead and nose), with normal-to-dry skin everywhere else: Your skin type is combination.

Blotting sheet method

Wash your face, pat dry, and wait 30-60 minutes. Gently press blotting paper against each area of your face: the T-zone, forehead, chin, and cheeks. It can be hard to tell whether you’re seeing oil, shine, or glow, so check the sheet each time you blot to see which part of your face (if any) is oily. Oily skin will show up on the blotting paper, but a little oil likely indicates a normal skin type.

What type of skincare routine should I follow for my skin type?

Caring for your skin is much simpler when you know which products to use. That’s one reason skin type is so important—it’s your personal guide to beauty products. Here are skincare recommendations based on skin type:

Normal

Normal skin is generally easier to maintain, but it still requires routine skincare and protection. A consistent skincare routine to maintain normal skin should include cleansing and moisturizing daily, but there are many products to choose from.

Pro tip: Keep it simple! Daily sunscreen* is the most essential aspect of a skincare routine for normal skin. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, even if it’s overcast or rainy. Sunscreen is your best protection against signs of aging and dry or damaged skin.

We recommend our broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen. It’s a mineral sunscreen formulated to melt into your skin while minimizing white cast. And, it’s designed for acne-prone or sensitive skin.

Sensitive

Ingredients are the most important for sensitive skin. People with sensitive skin are prone to irritation, so avoid added fragrances, dyes, or other potential irritants. When in doubt, perform a patch test before starting a new product. Use gentle cleansers, rich moisturizers, and plenty of sunscreen. It may also help to avoid hot showers, bar soap, harsh astringents, and exfoliants.

If you have dry, sensitive skin, a barrier balm may be your new best friend. This versatile, non-greasy treatment protects sensitive skin from irritation while promoting a healthy skin barrier. Curology’s non-comedogenic Barrier Balm combines humectants, occlusives, and emollients to leave your skin feeling moisturized and soft.

Dry

Skincare for this type should focus on bringing moisture to the skin’s surface and keeping it there with humectants and emollients—even if it's acne-prone skin. Occlusives, such as petrolatum, may be necessary for extremely dry skin.³

Key ingredients include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe, shea butter, squalene, and allantoin. Hyaluronic acid attracts waterto the skin’s surface to keep it looking plump and hydrated. Allantoin will seal in moisture and protect skin barrier function. Squalane is a natural antioxidant and may help boost the effectiveness of other ingredients. Glycerin, aloe, and shea butter all hydrate and moisturize. You can try our Cream Moisturizer (aka the Rich Moisturizer) that contains all of these ingredients!

Oily

Oily skin types need nourishment and hydration from water-based products when possible.⁴ This skin type may also benefit from benzoyl peroxide, an antimicrobial that targets acne-contributing bacteria, and salicylic acid, which unclogs pores. Oily, acne-prone skin may need prescription acne treatment with topical retinoids, such as tretinoin. Curology’s Custom Formulaᴿˣ is a prescription-strength, customized acne cream that helps you bust acne with up to 3 active ingredients, like tretinoin, azelaic acid, clindamycin, and more.

Avoid pore-clogging (comedogenic) ingredients by checking product labels and cross-referencing ingredients against our cheat sheet. Use oil-free products and micellar water for cleansing. Even with oily skin, moisturizer is typically needed, and sunscreen is a must!

Combination

Proper cleansing and hydration are important to keep oil in check without overdrying. Gentle, non-drying facial cleansersfor all skin types are great for combination skin. Use gel moisturizers to reduce oiliness while hydrating the skin. And don’t forget the sunscreen! If you’re struggling with a super oily T-zone, try a product with 2% niacinamide. It can lower oil production in as little as 2–4 weeks.⁵

We recommend trying our Gel Moisturizer. This lightweight formula is dermatologist-designed to be easily absorbed into your skin. It works wonders to hydrate dry patches while not clogging pores in more acne-prone zones.

Build your skincare routine with Curology

Misleading product labels make it tricky to tailor your routine to your skin type. Since everyone’s skin is unique, a product’s effects are never totally predictable. Finding the products and routines that work best for you takes some trial and error.

That’s where Curology comes in. We’re here to take the guesswork out of skincare. Our licensed dermatology providers work with you to examine your skin, assess your skin concerns, and prescribe a personalized formula.** We’re here for the long haul to tweak your prescription formula as your skin changes.

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Start your skin quiz

To get started, you’ll just take a quick skin quiz and snap a few photos of your face without makeup. If Curology is right for you, you’ll be paired with one of our licensed dermatology providers who can prescribe your custom formula, answer your skincare questions, and recommend other products to complement your routine.***

P.S. We did the homework so you don’t have to:

1. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Skin care tips dermatologists use. (n.d.).

2. Duarte, I., et al. Sensitive skin: review of an ascending concept. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia. (July-August 2017).

3. Harwood, A., et al. Moisturizers. StatPearls. (2022, August 21).

4. Goodman, G. Cleansing and moisturizing in acne patients. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. (2009, n.d.).

5. Endly, D.C. and Miller, R.A. Oily Skin: A Review of Treatment Options. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. (2017, August 1).

Elise Griffin is a certified physician assistant at Curology. She received her Master of Medical Science in physician assistant studies from Nova Southeastern University in Jacksonville, FL.

**Restrictions apply. See website for full details and important safety information.

***Cancel anytime. Subject to consultation. Results may vary.

Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Elise Griffin, PA-C