How to Determine Your Skin Type
How to Determine Your Skin Type — the process of identifying how your skin behaves — typically classed as oily, dry, combination, normal or sensitive — based on oil production, hydration and reactivity. Knowing your type guides which cleansers, moisturisers and actives will suit you.
Key points
- The bare-face test: cleanse, wait an hour with nothing applied, then observe — shine across the face suggests oily; tightness suggests dry; shine only in the T-zone suggests combination.
- Skin type (genetic tendency) is different from skin condition (temporary states like dehydration or irritation).
- Sensitivity is a separate axis — any skin type can also be sensitive.
- Skin type can shift with age, climate, hormones and season, so it's worth reassessing periodically.
In this guide
- Dry Skin
- Oily Skin
- Combination Skin
- Normal Skin
- Sensitive Skin
- Dehydrated Skin
- Reactive Skin
- Mature Skin
- Teen Skin
- Men's Skin
- Pregnancy Skin
- Menopausal Skin
- Skin in Your 20s
- Skin in Your 30s
- Skin in Your 40s
- Skin in Your 50s
- Skin in Your 60s and Beyond
- Skin of Color
- Black Skin Care Fundamentals
- East Asian Skin
- South Asian Skin
- Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Skin
- Fair and Freckled Skin
- Rosacea-Prone Skin
- Acne-Prone Skin
- Eczema-Prone Skin
- Compromised Barrier Skin
- Over-Exfoliated Skin
- Congested Skin
- Dull Skin
- Textured Skin
- Redness-Prone Skin
- Allergy-Prone Skin
- Contact-Dermatitis-Prone Skin
- Sun-Damaged Skin
- Smoker's Skin
- Athlete's Skin
- Postpartum Skin
- Hormonal Skin
- Combination-Oily Skin
- Combination-Dry Skin
- Very Dry (Xerotic) Skin
- How Skin Type Changes With Age
- Seasonal Changes in Skin Type
Frequently asked
What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Dry skin lacks oil (a skin type); dehydrated skin lacks water (a temporary condition that any type can experience). They are treated differently.
Can skin type change over time?
Yes. Hormones, ageing, medication and climate can all shift how much oil and water your skin holds, so your type is not necessarily fixed for life.
Related topics
This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.
