The Skin Type Guide

Oily Skin

How to identify it

60 minutes after washing with no products applied: forehead, nose, and chin (T-zone) are visibly shiny. Pores appear enlarged. Makeup breaks down or slides by midday. Blackheads and closed comedones are common.

What works

Salicylic acid (BHA) to keep pores clear. Niacinamide to regulate sebum. Oil-free gel moisturizers. Chemical SPF or non-comedogenic mineral SPF. Lightweight hyaluronic acid serums.

What to avoid

Heavy occlusive creams, coconut oil, thick balm cleansers. These will clog pores regardless of "natural" marketing claims.

Brands to consider: Paula's Choice BHA 2% · The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% · EltaMD UV Clear SPF

Dry Skin

How to identify it

Skin feels tight after cleansing even without products. Fine texture that shows fine lines more prominently. Flaking on cheeks or forehead. Blush and powder apply unevenly. Skin rarely looks shiny.

What works

Ceramide-rich moisturizers to repair the barrier. Hyaluronic acid serums for deep hydration. Lactic acid (gentle AHA) for exfoliation without stripping. Oil cleansers or cream cleansers. Facial oils as the final step at night.

What to avoid

Foaming cleansers, alcohol-heavy toners, gel moisturizers, over-exfoliating. These remove the minimal lipids dry skin already lacks.

Brands to consider: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream · Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream · La Roche-Posay Lipikar

Combination Skin

How to identify it

T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oily or shiny. Cheeks and outer areas are normal to dry. Pores visible primarily in the T-zone. Products that work on oily skin dry out cheeks — products for dry skin make T-zone greasy.

What works

Balanced gel-cream moisturizers. Niacinamide for overall regulation. Gentle AHAs (glycolic acid at low concentration). SPFs that sit well across zones — mineral or hybrid SPFs.

What to avoid

Heavy creams applied to the full face, spot treatments used as all-over treatments, overly stripping cleansers. Zone-target your actives.

Brands to consider: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream · The Ordinary Glycolic 7% · Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen

Sensitive Skin

How to identify it

Skin reacts visibly to new products — redness, stinging, or breakouts within 24 hours of introduction. Existing conditions: rosacea, eczema, or persistent redness. Temperature changes cause flushing. Fragrance and alcohol cause immediate irritation.

What works

Barrier-repair formulas with ceramides and niacinamide. Fragrance-free across all products. Mineral SPF (zinc oxide). Slow introduction of any new product — one at a time with a 2-week gap. Azelaic acid as a gentler alternative to retinol.

What to avoid

Fragrance, essential oils, alcohol, high-concentration AHAs and retinol (without slow introduction). "Natural" doesn't mean non-irritating — many botanical extracts are potent sensitizers.

Brands to consider: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Range · Vanicream · Avène Thermal Water Line

Acne-Prone Skin

How to identify it

Regular breakouts — comedones, papules, or cystic lesions. Pores frequently blocked. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks after breakouts). Skin texture uneven from past and current breakouts.

What works

Salicylic acid (BHA) as a daily exfoliant. Benzoyl peroxide as a targeted treatment. Niacinamide for inflammation and post-breakout marks. Retinol or tretinoin (prescription) for long-term cell turnover and mark fading. Non-comedogenic, oil-free everything.

What to avoid

Pore-clogging ingredients: coconut oil, shea butter, mineral oil in heavy concentrations. Picking — which causes scarring and extends PIH. Over-cleansing, which triggers rebound oil production.

Brands to consider: Differin Gel 0.1% · Paula's Choice BHA 2% · The Inkey List Succinic Acid Spot Treatment