What Is My Skin Type?

Everyone’s skin is a bit different, and deciding the best products to use can often feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s essential to know your skin type. Read on to learn about the common skin types and how to identify yours. 

Understanding your skin type is the foundation of any effective skincare routine. With so many products and treatments available, knowing whether your skin is normal, dry, oily, combination, or sensitive can help you make better choices that actually work for your unique needs. In this blog, we’ll break down the five main skin types and what you need to know about each. 

To help us dive deeper into this topic, we turned to San Antonio-based Aesthetician Stephanie Guillen for answers.

What are the five skin types?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, there are five main skin types, each with unique characteristics and care needs. 

• Normal skin is well-balanced, neither too oily nor too dry, with small pores and few imperfections.
• Dry skin lacks moisture and natural oils, often feeling tight, flaky, or rough, and may be prone to irritation. 
• Oily skin produces excess sebum, leading to a shiny appearance, enlarged pores, and a tendency for acne breakouts. 
• Combination skin features both oily and dry areas, typically with an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and drier cheeks. 
• Sensitive skin is easily irritated by skincare products or environmental factors, often reacting with redness, itching, or burning.

Guillen shares that it’s helpful to “think of skin types like personalities – everyone is a little different.” She breaks each type down like this:

• Normal is the easygoing friend who isn’t too dry or oily, just loving their best life. (Lucky them! 😉)
• Dry is always thirsty and even flaky at times, but we love them anyway.
• Oily is the overachiever when it comes to glow, and even sometimes has too much glow.
• Combination is a little bit of this and a little bit of that – oily in some spots and dry in others.
• Reactive is like a delicate flower – it gets upset easily and needs a little extra TLC. 

Understanding your skin type is essential for choosing the proper skincare routine and products. Once you have an idea of what your skin type is, you can select the appropriate regimen to keep your skin (and you!) happy and healthy. 

Why is it important to know your skin type?

“If you don’t know your skin type, you could be using the wrong products and making things worse for your skin,” shares Guillen. “Knowing your skin type is like having the cheat codes to healthier, happier skin.” 

To summarize, using skincare products without knowing your skin type can lead to a range of problems that may worsen your complexion rather than improve it. For instance:

• Applying heavy creams on oily skin can clog pores and trigger breakouts, while using harsh exfoliants on dry or sensitive skin can cause irritation, redness, and flaking.
• Misidentifying combination skin might lead to over-treating one area and neglecting another, throwing your skin even more off balance. 

Without understanding your skin’s specific needs, you risk wasting time, money, and effort on products that don’t work—or worse, do harm. That’s why identifying your skin type is a crucial first step toward achieving healthy, radiant skin.

How does DermaTouch RN help people identify their skin type?

The team at DermaTouch RN serves thousands of patients each year to support them in achieving healthy skin.  

“At DermaTouch RN, we have Visia, which allows us to play detective, but with way better lighting,” shares Guillen, “We chat about your current skincare routine and review your intake and Visia analysis results. From there, we create a game plan that fits your skin needs, which goes far beyond whatever is merely trending on social media.” 

Pro tip: While social media trends can be tempting sources for updating your skincare routine, it’s important to proceed with caution. Many of the tips shared online can do more harm than good—especially when offered by younger influencers who may not fully understand the long-term effects or the specific needs of more mature skin.

How can you tell what skin type you have?

Here’s a breakdown of some of the questions to consider when assessing your skin type:**

How does your skin feel after washing? Is it a bit tight and rough (dry), smooth and comfortable (normal), oily or greasy (oily), oily in some areas and dry in others (combination), or itchy, red, or stinging (sensitive)?

What do your pores look like? Are they small and barely visible (dry or normal), normal size (normal), large and visible (especially in the T-zone) (oily), large in the T-zone and small on the cheeks (combination), or often red or inflamed (sensitive or acne-prone)?

How often do you experience breakouts? Is it rarely (dry or normal), occasionally (normal or combination), frequently (oily or acne-prone), only in the T-zone (combination), or when using new products or being exposed to weather changes (sensitive)?

How does your skin look by midday? Does it look flaky or dull (dry), still fresh and balanced (normal), shiny and oily (oily), oily in the T-zone and dry elsewhere (combination), or red and irritated (sensitive)?

How does your skin react to new skincare products? Is your answer: no reaction (normal), it works well (normal or combination), you have no issues unless it’s too heavy (oily), it depends on the area of application (combination), or it often reacts with redness or itching (sensitive)?

**Everyone’s skin can have variations, so it’s best to speak with a skin specialist to determine your skin type. The DermaTouch RN team of specialists, combined with its Visia technology, helps to take the guessing game out of the equation when it comes to the best skin care for your needs. 

Can your skin type change?

Yes, your skin type can change over time due to a variety of factors. These include hormonal shifts, seasonal changes, climate, and lifestyle choices.

What are examples of products for different skin types?

For optimal results, it’s recommended to use medical-grade products like SkinMedica, regardless of your skin type. You can even shop by skin type on the Brilliant Connections SkinMedica Site.

When choosing the best skincare options and ingredients for your skin type, the following offers high-level guidance. That said, working with a skincare specialist is the best way to ensure you’re selecting the right products tailored to your specific needs.

Normal Skin

• Lightweight moisturizers (gel or lotion)
• Gentle cleansers
• Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid
• Broad-spectrum SPF
• Avoid: Heavy or overly active treatments unless targeting a specific concern.

Dry Skin

• Face moisturizer for dry skin includes rich, cream-based moisturizers
• Hydrating ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, squalane, hyaluronic acid
• Creamy or oil-based cleansers
• Fragrance-free formulas
• Avoid: Alcohol-based products and harsh exfoliants.

Oily Skin

• Gel or foam cleansers
• Top moisturizers for oily skin include oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers
• Ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid, and zinc
• Lightweight or mattifying SPF
• Avoid: Heavy creams and pore-clogging ingredients like coconut oil.

Combination Skin

• Lightweight gel moisturizers
• Balancing ingredients like niacinamide, green tea, and aloe vera
• Option to use different products on different zones (multi-moisturizing)
• Avoid: One-size-fits-all heavy formulas.

Sensitive Skin

• Minimal ingredient lists
• Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products
• Calming ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, and centella asiatica (cica)
• Barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides
• Avoid: Fragrances, essential oils, alcohol, and aggressive exfoliants.

Schedule a skin consultation

A skincare specialist or aesthetician—like Guillen—can help accurately identify your skin type and create a personalized routine with the right products and treatments to achieve your healthiest skin. Schedule a consultation with DermaTouch RN or your local MedSpa or clinic to gain deeper insight into your skin’s unique needs.

Schedule your appointment 24/7 online with DermaTouch RN in San Antonio or Houston!

Stephanie Guillen, Aesthetician

Aesthetician

With over a decade of dedicated service in the medical field, Stephanie seamlessly transitioned into the realm of Esthetics in 2020, marking a pivotal chapter in her career. In 2021, she earned her Esthetician license, demonstrating her commitment to the art and science of skincare. Taking her passion to new heights, Stephanie further expanded her skill set by obtaining her Laser Technician license in 2023. 

As a skilled and compassionate Medical Office Specialist turned Aesthetician, Stephanie is driven by a genuine commitment to enhancing the well-being of her patients. Her expertise lies in tailoring personalized skincare regimens and treatment plans, empowering individuals to look and feel their absolute best. Stephanie’s approach is characterized by a results-driven mindset, ensuring her patients achieve their desired outcomes. Her unwavering dedication to excellence sets her apart, making her a trusted and sought-after professional in the field. 

Beyond her professional pursuits, Stephanie finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. An avid music enthusiast and dedicated reader, she understands the importance of balance. Stephanie cherishes moments with her family, dear friends, and her canine companions, creating a fulfilling life both inside and outside the treatment room.