Understanding Your Skin Type and What It's Trying to Tell You
Your skin is always communicating—through dryness, breakouts, dullness, or that glow you love. But to really listen (and treat it right), you need to understand its unique story. It starts with identifying your skin type and learning how to give it exactly what it needs.
Step 1: Know Your Skin Type
Everyone’s skin is different, but most types fall into one of these categories:
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Normal – Balanced, rarely breaks out, and isn’t too oily or dry.
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Oily – Shiny throughout the day, often prone to blackheads or breakouts.
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Dry – Flaky, tight, or dull, especially after cleansing.
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Combination – Oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), dry or normal elsewhere.
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Sensitive – Reacts easily to new products or environmental triggers (redness, itching, burning).
To spot your type, cleanse your face and wait an hour—no products. If you’re shiny all over, you’re likely oily. If you feel tight or see flakes, you’re dry. A little of both? Combo. Notice redness or tingling? Sensitive.
Step 2: Decode What Your Skin Is Telling You
Your skin often drops hints about what’s happening beneath the surface:
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Breakouts or congestion? Could be hormonal shifts, clogged pores, or over-cleansing.
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Dry patches? You might be over-exfoliating or lacking hydration.
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Redness or irritation? Possibly a damaged skin barrier or product sensitivity.
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Dullness? A buildup of dead skin cells could be stealing your glow.
Step 3: Best Practices to Keep Your Skin in Check
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Keep it simple. A consistent routine beats a complicated one.
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Cleanse gently, twice a day—no harsh scrubbing.
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Hydrate, always. Yes, even if you're oily.
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Exfoliate wisely. 1–3x a week depending on your skin’s needs.
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Protect your barrier. Avoid stripping ingredients and always, always wear SPF.
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Listen and adjust. Your skin’s needs can change with the seasons, stress, or age—stay flexible.
At the end of the day, your skin’s story is uniquely yours—but the good news is, you’re the author. By tuning in, understanding your type, and treating your skin with care, you can rewrite the chapters ahead for a clearer, healthier, more confident glow.
Still having trouble owning your story? Check out our Skin Quiz!