How Do We Understand Skin Type? Different Skin Types

Our skin, the largest organ in our body, is like a mirror of our health. Perhaps the question comes to mind: “How can an organ as complex as the heart and brain act as a mirror?”. In fact, the skin is our body’s first line of defense against external influences and reflects many internal processes. For example, hormonal fluctuations, stress, dietary habits, seasonal changes and even the geographical location in which we live can cause visible changes to the skin. Therefore, taking care of our skin is important both for aesthetic reasons and for general health.

Skin type	Skin properties	Care instructions
Normal skin	Balanced oil and moisture content, usually small pores, smooth appearance.	Light moisturizing care, regular cleansing, use of sunscreen.
Dry skin	Loss of moisture, flaking, feeling of tightness, dull appearance.	Intensive moisturizing care, alcohol-free cleansers, products with hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Oily skin	Tends to shine, large pores, blackheads and acne.	Gel-based cleansers, water-based moisturizers, oil-balancing products.
Combination skin	Oily skin in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), dry cheeks.	Regional care, light moisturizers, pore-refining tonics.
Sensitive skin	Redness, tendency to irritation, allergic reaction to certain products.	Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products, soothing ingredients (e.g. aloe vera, panthenol).

Why is skin type important?

Knowing our skin type is the first step in choosing the right products and methods. Imagine we have a car and we buy gasoline without paying attention to whether it is gasoline or diesel. Just as the car’s engine can be damaged, using the wrong product or applying it incorrectly can damage our skin in a similar way. For example, if a person with dry skin uses a harsh cleanser that thoroughly dries out the skin barrier, it can break down the skin like a “desert” and cause irritation, while overloading oily skin with creams that are too greasy can clog pores even more and cause acne.

Our skin type can vary depending on age, season and even hormonal changes. It is of great importance to recognize such changes in good time and adapt your routine accordingly. Correct determination of skin type also provides the opportunity to intervene early in the event of health problems that may arise in connection with the skin. For example, if you normally have oily skin but suddenly experience peeling and flaking on your cheeks, this may not just be seasonal dryness, but a harbinger of another dermatological condition.

In short, the skin type is a kind of “map”. If we follow this map with the right direction, we can achieve healthy and radiant skin without getting lost.

How can I understand my skin type?

The best way to understand your skin type is to observe it closely and carry out small tests. Many scientific studies have shown that the amount of sebum (oil) on the skin’s surface and the skin’s ability to retain water play a crucial role in determining skin type. In other words, can your skin retain enough moisture, does it produce too much oil or are both within the normal range? There are simple but very effective methods you can use to find out:

• Barefoot test: wash your face with a mild cleanser, dry it and wait an hour without applying any product. During this time, observe your skin’s reactions, such as oiliness, dryness or redness.
• Blotting sheet method: After washing your skin and waiting 30 minutes, press separate absorbent papers on your forehead, nose, chin and cheeks. The amount of oil on the paper will tell you which areas are oilier.
• Wash test: After washing your face, do not apply any product and after 30 minutes note the degree of tightness, redness or shine of your skin.

These methods are tests that you can carry out yourself at home and will provide you with information in no time at all. Remember, however, that if you have a long-standing skin problem that does not improve with the methods you use at home, you should definitely consult a specialist.

How do I recognize normal skin?

Normal skin is like a kind of “golden mean that has found its balance”. With this type, your skin is neither too oily nor too dry. In general, the pores are not pronounced, the skin tone is even, acne or dryness problems are rare. There is a condition that we can also call “baby skin” in a certain sense, which has no pimples, is not very shiny and does not flake.

From a scientific point of view, the normal skin type refers to an image in which sebum secretion is ideal and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is minimal, i.e. the skin produces enough oil to protect itself, but at the same time can trap moisture inside. As a result, problems such as redness, irritation or acne occur very rarely.

People with normal skin can usually maintain a healthy appearance with a simpler skincare routine. Gentle cleansing in the morning and evening, a light moisturizer and daily sun protection are often sufficient. Of course, someone with “normal skin” may also be prone to dryness or oiliness over time or depending on the season. Nevertheless, with this skin type, a long-term balance can be maintained with the right diet, regular sleep and avoiding stress.

How do I recognize dry skin?

You can think of dry skin as a rural town with insufficient water resources. Just as the ground cracks when it becomes difficult to access water, the skin also shows conditions such as flaking, cracking and itching. Especially after washing your face, the unpleasant “tight feeling” is a typical sign of dry skin. You have the feeling that your skin is one size too small and your face feels tight.

Scientifically speaking, sebum secretion is low in dry skin and transepidermal water loss is high. This indicates that the protective lipid layer on the surface of the skin is not strong enough. The skin therefore has difficulty retaining moisture. Wind, cold air or dry climatic conditions can exacerbate this situation.

When caring for dry skin, it is important to be gentle and choose products that provide intensive moisture. Creams with ingredients such as ceramide and hyaluronic acid can be real saviors in this regard. You may like to wash your face with hot water or take long hot baths, but this can dry out the skin even more. Therefore, short showers with warm water, gentle cleansers and moisturizers applied immediately afterwards will help your skin to recover.

How do I recognize oily skin?

Oily skin is characterized by excessive sebum production. This often manifests itself in the form of shine, large pores and blackheads on the forehead, nose and chin (T-zone). Although the term “oily skin” actually evokes a negative perception, it should be noted that signs of ageing can appear later and the skin remains more supple. In other words: Like every skin type, this one has its pros and cons.

Scientifically, oily skin is linked to overactive sebaceous glands. Sebum maintains the skin’s natural moisture balance, but an excess can clog pores and lead to acne and acne formation. People with oily skin, for example, often complain that their make-up runs off quickly during the day or that their skin is always shiny. Studies show that transepidermal water loss is low in oily skin because the sebum acts as a barrier to a certain extent. However, when pores are clogged and bacterial growth increases, the problem of acne and blackheads can worsen.

As a skincare recommendation, it may be wrong to try to get rid of the oil completely with cleansers that are harsh and over-dry the skin. In this case, the skin might react with panic “My oils are going!” and produce more sebum. Instead, it may make more sense to use pore-cleansing and sebum-balancing ingredients such as salicylic acid. Products labeled as “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic” may also be preferred.

How do I recognize combination skin?

Combination skin means that you have oily and dry patches at the same time. This can feel like you have been given two different skin types that you have to reconcile in one face. As a rule, the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oily, while the cheeks and eye area are dry or normal. This difference requires regional approaches to skin care.

According to the scientific literature, the distribution of sebum in combination skin is not homogeneous, i.e. some areas produce sebum intensively, while other areas require moisture. For some people, this balance can also change seasonally. In summer, the T-zone becomes oily, while in winter the dryness on the cheeks can increase.

If you have combination skin, the ‘one product fits all’ approach can sometimes lead to frustration. For example, you can apply oil-balancing, lightweight formulas to the T-zone while applying more intensive moisturizers to the cheeks. It is also important to go easy on areas of skin that are too dry and to take regional sensitivity into account when applying products such as peels.

What is sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin is skin that tends to react to many elements, including environmental factors, chemicals, perfumes or some natural ingredients. This type of skin can show a picture of going into “red alert” more quickly, sometimes becoming red and sensitive with even the slightest breeze. Symptoms such as redness, burning, stinging, itching or flaking are more common with sensitive skin.

According to scientific findings, sensitive skin is usually associated with a disruption of the skin’s barrier function. This means that the skin is not sufficiently “protected” against external influences, which lowers the irritation threshold. In particular, the skin barrier of people with skin conditions such as neurodermatitis or rosacea can become more sensitive.

Caring for sensitive skin requires great care in terms of both ingredients and application methods. It is important to use soap-free, pH-balanced cleansers and moisturizers that do not contain alcohol or perfume. Testing any new product on a small area, such as the inside of the forearm or behind the ear, can also help to avoid major reactions. “Less is more” and “gentle” are three words to keep in mind if you have sensitive skin.

What is the Fitzpatrick skin type and what does it do?

The Fitzpatrick scale is a system that classifies the skin’s reaction to sun exposure. It basically answers the question “How long in the sun does your skin burn or tan?”. There are six different types on this scale, ranging from I to VI. People with fair skin who burn very quickly and tan very intensely (type I, type II) are on the lower rungs of the scale, while people with darker skin and a light tan (type V, type VI) are on the upper rungs of the scale.

This classification is particularly useful for dermatological treatments, laser applications and the selection of sunscreens. For example, the wavelength or energy dose for laser epilation can be determined according to the Fitzpatrick type. In addition, fair-skinned people (type I-II) are recommended to use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor, while dark-skinned people (type V-VI) can make do with products with a slightly lower sun protection factor. However, this does not mean that dark-skinned people do not need sun protection; all skin types should take precautions to protect themselves from UV damage.

The Fitzpatrick scale itself does not directly classify “skin type” (dry, oily, etc.), but rather determines your level of sensitivity to the sun. In other words, you can think of it as a ruler to help you understand your relationship with the sun and take the necessary protective measures, regardless of whether you are dry or oily.

How can I determine my skin type at home?

The first step in determining your skin type is to really “listen” and observe your skin. There are several methods that you can easily use at home:

Bare-faced test

• Wash your face with a mild cleanser and do not apply any product for a while after drying.
• After waiting about 30-60 minutes, check the condition of your skin.

If your cheeks flake and tighten, you are close to “dry skin”, if your T-zone is excessively shiny, you are close to “oily skin”, if both conditions are observed, you are close to “combination skin”. If there is no excessive reaction and your skin feels comfortable, you may have ‘normal skin’. You may experience sensitivity with symptoms such as redness and burning.

Blotting paper method

• After cleansing your skin and waiting 30 minutes, press thin, absorbent paper onto your forehead, nose, chin and cheeks.
• The amount of oil on the paper will tell you which areas produce more sebum.
• If the areas with a lot of oil are limited to the T-zone, this is most likely a sign of combination skin. If oil collects everywhere, it is oily skin. If there is no oil, it is probably dry skin.

You can get important clues about your skin type by carrying out these tests yourself at home. Of course, if you want an accurate and detailed diagnosis, you should consult an expert, but these methods usually provide accurate indications.

How do seasonal changes affect skin type?

The changes you see in your skin during seasonal transitions are actually normal. Increased humidity and temperatures in summer can exacerbate the problem of shine, especially for oily and combination skin. The pores can dilate more and the susceptibility to acne can increase. In winter, on the other hand, the humidity drops and our skin loses more water. This can lead to a “Sahara desert” effect, especially for dry or sensitive skin types: Flaking, cracking and a feeling of tightness.

Scientific studies have shown that transepidermal water loss increases in winter and the skin barrier becomes weaker. In other words, the skin’s ability to retain moisture naturally decreases in winter. While a lightly formulated moisturizer is sufficient in summer, the skin needs to be supported with more intensive creams or serums in winter.

You don’t have to completely change your skincare routine when transitioning from one season to another; however, it is useful to adjust the type of moisturizer or frequency of cleansing. It is also important not to shower for too long in hot water during the colder months to avoid drying out your skin unnecessarily.

What does the right skincare routine involve?

The skincare routine actually consists of 3 basic steps: cleansing, moisturizing and protecting. The products you choose for your skin depend on your skin type. You can create a template that suits everyone by making small changes according to dry, oily, combination, normal or sensitive skin type.

Cleansing

• While moisturizing, mild cleansers with moisturizing ingredients are suitable for dry skin, products with pore-cleansing ingredients such as salicylic acid are more suitable for oily skin.
• For sensitive skin, pH-balanced cleansers without perfume and alcohol should be used.

Moisturizing

• Dry skin prefers ingredients that provide intensive moisture, such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides and shea butter.
• Oily skin should use water-based or “oil-free” products.
• For combination skin, lighter formulas can be applied to the T-zone and more intensive formulas to the cheeks.
• For sensitive skin, moisturizers with soothing agents (e.g. oat extract, niacinamide) may be preferred.

Protection (sunscreen)

• Sun protection is essential for all skin types. Using a product with SPF 30 and higher is essential for every day outdoors.
• Matte or “oil-free” sunscreens are suitable for oily skin.
• For dry skin, sunscreens with a moisturizing formula are ideal.

This trio provides a sufficient foundation to meet the skin’s daily needs. Additional steps such as toner or serum can of course be added, but it would be the healthiest start to incorporate a basic skincare routine before overwhelming the skin.

Can my skin type change over time?

Yes, of course! Skin type does not have to remain “constant” throughout life. Skin that is oily in youth can become dry in later years or vice versa. The same person may even feel that they have oily skin in summer and dry skin in winter. Hormonal fluctuations (e.g. during pregnancy or the menopause), stress factors, diet, sleep quality and medication can change the structure of the skin.

The skin also produces less sebum with increasing age. Particularly from the 30s and 40s, a gradual loss of moisture in the skin can be observed. This causes skin that was previously considered oily to become normal or slightly dry over time. For this reason, even if you have determined your skin type, it makes sense to monitor the change by testing it occasionally. In addition, adapting your skincare routine to your needs will help to maintain the health of your skin in the long term.

In which cases is it necessary to see a dermatologist?

Normally we can determine our skin type with simple tests at home. In some cases, however, it may be necessary to consult a specialist. For example, if you suffer from excessive dryness, severe acne, chronic skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea or recurring irritations and rashes, you should definitely see a dermatologist.

If you have not been able to achieve results with the products and methods you have tried on your own, or if your skin has suddenly changed dramatically, this may also be a situation that requires an expert examination. In addition, knowing your skin type before certain laser applications, chemical peels or medical treatments minimizes the risk of side effects and makes it easier to choose the right treatment.

Scientific measuring devices can be used to organize the right treatment, especially for sensitive skin or skin with active acne problems. For example, sebum measurement (sebumetry), devices to measure the moisture content of the skin (corneometry) and tests to determine the pH of the skin provide detailed information. In this way, the dermatologist recommends the most appropriate course of action, both from a medical point of view and when selecting cosmetic products.

What misconceptions are there about skin type?

“Oily skin doesn’t need moisture”.

This is perhaps the most common misinformation. Skin with high oil production can also be dehydrated. If the skin lacks moisture, it can produce more oil and this can become a vicious circle.

“If I only use natural products, my skin is always happy.

Herbal ingredients can sometimes cause irritation and there is also a risk of allergies. It is not enough for the product to be natural; the quality of the formulation and compatibility with the skin type are important.

“Darker skin colors are not damaged by the sun”.

A darker skin color contains more melanin pigments, which provide partial protection. However, this protection does not fully protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Every skin type needs sun protection.

“Drinking plenty of water moisturizes the skin”.

Drinking water is of course very good for your general health. However, this does not mean that it directly moisturizes the skin. The upper layer of the skin is exposed to external influences and it is necessary to moisturize this layer from the outside.

“Dry skin should be washed with too much soap to remove dead skin cells.

Excessive use of soap dries out the skin even more and even destroys the protective oil layer. Gentler and moisturizing cleansers are more suitable for dry skin.

How can we adapt our skin to seasonal changes?

Adapting our skin to seasonal changes is comparable to changing our wardrobe depending on the time of year. In summer we wear a T-shirt and a thin jacket, while in winter we need thick coats and scarves. Our skin also needs different care in different seasons.

In winter, the skin dries out more. It would therefore be right to choose moisturizers with a more “click” intensive content. Especially products with moisturizing substances such as ceramide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid are useful. Heating systems in the home also dry out the air, so using humidifiers can help to increase humidity.

Air temperature and humidity rise in summer. Oily and combination skin produces more sebum and is more prone to acne. Therefore, light water-based moisturizers are preferable. When sweat and sebum mix, pores can become clogged, so regular light exfoliation or deep cleansing masks are a good idea. Also remember that sunscreen should be renewed more frequently in summer.

In spring and fall, the skin is in a transitional phase. During this time, slight redness, sensitivity, dryness or increased oiliness can be observed. By paying attention to your skin type, you can gradually change your skincare products as needed and ensure that your skin is in balance.

What is the key to healthy skin?

Knowing your skin type is like knowing yourself. If you know your own characteristics, you can make better decisions and lead a more harmonious life. This also applies to skin care. You can start with small tests at home and, if necessary, visit a dermatologist to clarify the characteristics of your skin. The most important thing to remember here is that skin type can change over time and depending on the season. In daily life, product selection and skincare routine should be adapted to these changes.

• Customized care: Every skin type is different, as are the needs of each individual.
• Regular aftercare: Monitor your skin and if unexpected changes take a long time to appear, consult a specialist.
• Choosing the right product: Choose the right ingredients taking into account the factors of moisture, oil and skin barrier.
• Sun protection: Regardless of the season, UVA and UVB rays are one of the main causes of skin ageing and various skin problems.
• Healthy lifestyle: Drinking plenty of water, a balanced diet, stress management and regular sleep ensure that your skin is supported not only from the outside but also from the inside.