The different skin types: discover 4 expert tips to know yours

Have you ever bought a cream or lotion thinking it would be perfect for your skin, but then found the opposite after a few days of use? You are not alone. Many people struggle to find the right care simply because they don't know their skin type. They then risk aggravating certain problems, causing redness, tightness, excessive shine or imperfections. The result? Uncomfortable skin and unnecessary spending on unsuitable products. Don't panic! This article offers you 4 simple and effective tips to identify your skin type and adopt a skincare routine that suits it.

4 Tips to Identify Your Skin Type at Home

1 – Observe your skin

Start by examining your face when you wake up, without makeup or cream.

Ask yourself: Is my skin tone even or uneven? Are there areas of shine? Redness?

If your skin shines on the middle area (forehead, nose, chin) but remains dry on the cheeks, it is likely that you have a combination skin. If your entire face is bright or oily, you might have a oily skin. The dry skin, for their part, are often rough, with sensations of tightness, while the normal skin display a skin texture homogeneous and without problem areas.

2 - Touch your skin

Beyond appearance, touch can also reveal clues.

Run your fingers over your face:

• A texture rough or uncomfortable feelings indicate dry skin;
• An oily texture in certain areas indicates combination or oily skin;
• Soft and supple skin, without irregularities, is typical of normal skin;

3 – Do the handkerchief test

A simple and effective test is to use a clean tissue and press it lightly to your face. If oily marks appear on the tissue, this indicates a sebum production excessive, typical of oily skin. If the tissue remains dry, your skin is probably dry or normal. The combination skin will show traces only on the T zone of the face (forehead, nose and chin).

4 - Use our online skin diagnostic tool

To adopt an effective skincare routine, it is essential to understand your skin type and its specific needs. Today, thanks to online tools like the diagnosis proposed by the SOSKIN Dermatological Laboratory, this step is quick, accessible, and precise. In less than 4 minutes, you can benefit from personalized advice, adapted to your skin, whether oily, dry or combination.

SOSKIN relies on a sophisticated methodology to guide you towards the products that best suit your skin problems. This type of tool constitutes a valuable aid in identifying the treatments that really meet your needs and in avoiding unsuitable purchases.

The main skin types

Each skin type has its own specific characteristics and needs. Whether it is normal, oily, dry or mixed, it is essential to understand its nature to provide it with appropriate care and preserve its balance.

Normal skin

Normal skin is often described as ideal. It presents a perfect balance between sebum secretion and hydration. Pores are tightened, the complexion is even, and problems such as imperfections are rare. To maintain this skin type, you can use a gel cleanser, a light moisturizer and sun protection.

Oily skin

Oily skin is caused by an overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands. It is often shiny, prone to blackheads, enlarged pores and acne. Products such as purifying anti-shine treatment or gentle purifying lotion are essential for reducing excess sebum. For targeted care, apply the Stop Blemish Serum locally.

Dry skin

Dry skin lacks hydration and lipids to maintain its hydrolipidic film. This can lead to feelings of tightness, redness and dull skin. It requires the implementation of a suitable care routine to restore the suppleness and hydration of the skin, both on the face and on the body.

Combination skin

Combination skin is a mixture: oily on the middle zone and dry or normal on the rest of the face. It requires a specific routine, with targeted treatments for each area, for example, a mattifying cream on the middle area and a moisturizing treatment on the cheeks.

The condition of the skin: a fragile balance to take into account

The skin, influenced by external factors such as weather or pollution, and internal factors such as hormones and age, inevitably changes throughout life. These variations can manifest as different states, each with unique sensations and needs.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin reacts quickly to aggression, causing redness, itching, or tingling sensations. They can be influenced by factors such as stress, temperature variations, or certain cosmetic products. This skin type requires constant attention to avoid irritation.

To take care of sensitive skin, it is essential to clean your face every morning and evening with a gentle product, without perfume or alcohol, and enriched with soothing ingredients such as aloe vera or oat extract, then to tone the skin with a gentle lotion, to respect the skin's pH.

Dehydrated skin

Dehydrated skin results in a feeling of discomfort, tightness, and sometimes a rough texture. It may have scaly areas, often visible after cleaning or exposure to the cold. Unlike dryness caused by a lack of sebum, dehydration is due to a water deficit and can affect all skin types.

Hydration is key in this type of skin, it is advisable to favor nourishing creams with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or shea butter.

Acne-prone skin

Acne-prone skin is characterized by excessive production of sebum, which is thicker and stickier than normal, easily clogging pores and creating a favorable environment for blemishes and infections.

The first signs of this trend include blackheads (open comedones) and white spots (closed comedones), which are generally few in number in mild forms, but can progress to red spots that are tender to the touch (papules) or even infected red spots (pustules). Opt for one routine dedicated to acne-prone skin to combat imperfections, blackheads and residual marks lastingly.

Hyperpigmented skin

Hyperpigmented skin is characterized by dark spots or uneven skin tone, often caused by sun exposure or hormonal imbalances. These marks sometimes accentuate a feeling of dull or tired skin and can be experienced as unsightly.

An effective routine begins with thorough cleansing and makeup removal, followed by a gentle exfoliant to remove dead cells. Applying a lightening serum morning and evening helps target spots. It is also crucial to hydrate the skin with appropriate care, and to protect your face from UV rays by using sunscreen daily.

Mature skin

With age, mature skin becomes thinner and fragile. It can lose its elasticity, leading to a feeling of looseness and sometimes tightness. Fine lines and wrinkles appear, and the skin may appear less luminous, further highlighting signs of fatigue.

The anti-wrinkle creams are formulated with moisturizing, repairing and antioxidant active ingredients to reduce the signs of aging by nourishing and regenerating the skin. They promote hydration, strengthen the skin barrier and act on expression lines by relaxing facial muscles.

Summary of the characteristics of different skin types