Skin Types: How to Determine and Care for Yours
August 11, 2025
How to Determine and Care for Your Skin Type
Every person is born with a unique skin type influenced by genetics and ethnicity. Knowing your skin type is the first step to choosing the right skincare routine and products. Let's break down each skin type so you can identify yours and learn how to care for it effectively.
What Are Skin Types?
Your
skin type
is determined by how much sebum (natural oil that protects us from environmental damage and aging) your skin produces and the size and distribution of your pores. This is mostly genetic, though it can change slightly with age, hormones and lifestyle. The main types are
normal, dry, oily, and combination.
Your skin type can be identified by the size and distribution of your pores:
-
More oil production = larger, more visible pores
- Less oil production = smaller, less visible pores
The goal for every skin type is the same:
maintain a healthy oil-water balance to protect your skin barrier.
Normal Skin: Balanced and Low-Maintenance
Characteristics:
- Even oil-water balance
- Smaller pores
- Few blemishes and minimal sensitivity
How to Tell if you have Normal Skin:
Check your T-zone in natural light- if pores are small to medium and barely visible outside this area, you likely have normal skin.
Normal Skin Care Tips:
- Maintain your current balance with a gentle cleanser, lightweight moisturizer and daily sunscreen.
- Focus on preventative care to keep your skin healthy long-term.
Dry Skin: Lacking Natural Oils
Characteristics:
- Low sebum production
- Fells tight or rough
- Little to no visible pores
- Prone to sensitivity and fine lines
How to Tell if you Have Dry Skin:
If your skin rarely looks shiny and pores are barely visible, it's likely dry.
Dry Skin Care Tips:
- Use a
non-foaming
or
milk cleanser
to avoid stripping moisture.
- Apply a rich cream moisturizer and layer a facial oil to lock in hydration.
- Avoid harsh scrubs and alcohol-based products.
Oily Skin: Overactive Sebum Production
Characteristics:
- Larger, more visible pores across the face.
- Prone to congestion, blackheads, and breakouts.
- Skin often looks shiny but tends to age more slowly due to natural lubrication.
How to Tell if you Have Oily Skin:
If your face becomes shiny within a few hours of cleansing and pores are noticeable all over, your skin is oily.
Oily Skin Care Tips:
- Use a gentle foaming cleanser to remove excess sebum without over-drying.
- Choose products with niacinamide to regulate oil production.
- Use salicylic acid to exfoliate and unclog pores to prevent breakouts.
- Avoid over-cleansing, which can trigger more oil production and weaken your barrier.
Combination Skin: The Most Common Type
Characteristics:
- Oily, medium to large pores in the T-zone.
- Normal to dry cheeks with little to no visible pores
How to Tell if you Have Combination Skin:
If your forehead, nose, and chin get oily while your cheeks stay normal or dry, you have combination skin.
Combination Skin Care Tips:
- Use a milk cleanser on dry days and a gel or foaming cleanser when you feel oilier.
- Apply lightweight moisturizers when you feel oilier and richer creams on days when you feel dryer.
Final Thoughts: Why Knowing your Skin Type Matters
Your skin type is unique, and what works for someone else might not work for you. By understanding your skin's natural tendencies, you can choose the right products, avoid irritation, and protect your
skin barrier
for healthy, glowing skin. If you are still unsure of your skin type, find a skincare professional to help analyze your skin and create a customized skincare plan for you. Visit us at Gymno, a skin care studio in
NYC
offering personalized
facials .
Remember: The key to healthy, glowing skin is a
balanced skin barrier
Our skin is the largest organ in our body - and it works hard for us. It protects against external elements, regulates body temperature, detoxifies, and more. Throughout the day, our skin is exposed to damaging factors like UV rays, pollution, harsh winds, and fluctuating humidity levels. At night, while we sleep, our skin shifts into repair mode, regenerating new skin cells and recovering from the day's stressors. This natural rhythm lays the foundation for how we should structure our skincare routines: Protect in the morning, repair at night. Your Morning Skincare Routine: Focus on Protection: When selecting skincare products for the morning, prioritize ingredients that shield your skin from environmental aggressors and oxidative stress. Key Protective Ingredients: Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide - Physical sunscreen agents that protect against UV radiation. Antioxidants (Vitamin C & E) Help neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative damage. Suggested AM Routine: Cleanse - Start fresh with a gentle cleanser. Hydrating Mist or Toner (optional) - Adds lightweight hydration. Antioxidant Serum - Look for one with Vitamin C & E SPF - Always finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA & UVB This simple but powerful routine will help keep your skin hydrated and protected throughout the day. Your Nighttime Skincare Routine: Focus on Repair At the end of the day, your skin needs a reset. It has accumulated dirt, pollution, makeup, and SPF, which can clog pores and hinder regeneration if not properly removed. Nighttime is when you should focus on throughly cleansing and nourishing your skin. Key Restorative Ingredients: AHAs & BHAs (ex. lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acid) - Chemical exfoliants that slough off dead skin cells and enhance product absorption. Retinol - Boosts cell turnover and promotes skin renewal. Suggested PM Routine: Oil Cleanse - Breaks down makeup, SPF, and excess sebum. Gel or Foaming Cleanser - Removes residual impurities. Hydrating Mist or Toner (optional) - Replenishes moisture post- cleanse. Chemical Exfoliant or Retinol - Supports skin regeneration Eye Cream (optional) - Targets fine lines or puffiness. Moisturizer - Locks in hydration and supports the skin barrier. (helps with dryness that may occur from retinol or chemical exfoliants.) Pro Tips: Incorporating a hydrating toner or essence can give your skin a much-needed moisture boost, especially if you're using active ingredients like exfoliants or retinol. Avoid using retinol and chemical exfoliants together to prevent irritation. Instead, alternate between them on different nights. Conclusion Caring for your skin isn't just about what products you use - it's also about when and how you use them. By tailoring your routine to the natural rhythm of your skin - protection during the day and repair at night - you can support its function, maintain a healthy barrier, and reveal a glowing, radiant complexion. Whether you're a skincare beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, these routines will keep your skin thriving around the clock.
Exfoliation: What It Is, How Often to Do It, and How to Choose the Best Option
This blog post covers what UV rays are, how they damage the skin and how to protect our skin from their damaging effects.