Have you ever stood in front of your skincare product counter, struggling to choose the right product for your skin type? Do you want to know if you have dry, oily, or the most troublesome combination skin? The first step to choosing the right skincare products and effective skincare is correctly understanding your skin type. This article will provide you with a complete "Skin Type Test Guide," sharing four simple skin type testing methods to teach you how to accurately determine your skin type at home. We will also delve into the characteristics and care priorities of dry, oily, combination, and normal skin to help you find the most suitable skincare routine.

Skin type classification

(Alt text: Understanding your skin type is a crucial step before embarking on your skincare routine.)

Understanding your skin type is a crucial first step. Your skin type determines the skincare products, methods, and rhythm you'll choose. Only after understanding your "skin type" can you systematically perform moisturizing, oil control, and conditioning treatments.

Many people mistakenly believe that "oily skin" equals "oily skin" and "dry skin" equals "dry skin." This is not the case. For example, some people may have oily skin all the time, but their skin barrier is actually damaged, making them more prone to "dry skin"; or some people feel dry in winter and oily in summer, forming "combination skin." According to dermatologists, skin type can change due to age, hormones, season, and environment. Therefore, accurately determining whether you have "dry skin/oily skin/combination skin/normal skin" is crucial.

dry skin

Dry skin has a low barrier function, which leads to the loss of oil and moisture, making the skin appear rough, dull, and even peeling.

Maintenance method: Avoid over-cleansing and focus on effective moisturizing.

Combination to dry skin

Combination to dry skin has both oily and dry characteristics. The T-zone and chin are usually oily, while the cheeks and eye area are prone to dryness and dehydration.

Maintenance method: Hydrate and control oil in one go.

Combination to oily skin

Combination to oily skin is characterized by excessive sebum secretion, which easily leads to a shiny face, accompanied by enlarged pores, blackheads, and acne.

Maintenance method: Thorough cleaning and effective oil control.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is a condition, not a skin type. Combination skin, dry skin, and oily skin can all be sensitive skin. It is characterized by a thin epidermis that is prone to moisture loss and overreacts to external stimuli, such as redness, itching, burning, or tightness.

Maintenance method: Choose products with simple ingredients and no fragrance.

neutral skin

Neutral skin is the skin type with the most balanced sebum secretion and the most stable condition. It is neither excessively oily nor particularly dry, making it the "most ideal" and "easiest to manage" skin type.

Skincare routine: Maintain a simple skincare routine of cleansing and basic moisturizing, and then add brightening, anti-aging or repairing serums as needed. At the same time, avoid overly irritating or overly oil-controlling products to maintain a healthy and stable skin barrier.

If you already have a basic understanding of your skin type and want to further select medical-grade skincare products based on whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, Dr.Once, a Japanese-made skincare brand, offers skincare serums and skincare solutions with different effects!

Alt Text: Dr.Once's Japanese-made Quad-Core Microneedle Serum series showcases four Needle Shot Serums: yellow (Vitamin C), purple (Exosomes), red (Retinol), and green (Azelaic Acid), highlighting its skincare technology containing 95,000 microneedles.

Skin type test | How to determine your skin type?

(Alt text: Here are three simple, at-home tests to help you identify your skin type.)

We offer four methods for skin type testing that you can do at home to help you identify your skin type.

Skin type testing method (I) Face washing method (naked face observation method)

• After cleansing your face, pat it dry with a soft towel. Wait approximately 30 minutes without applying any skincare products.
• Dry skin: Face feels tight, dry, and rough. Oily skin: Face is shiny and pores are visible.
• Combination/Normal Skin: If the T-zone is oily but the cheeks are dry

Skin type testing method (II) Oil blotting paper method (or thin paper/oil blotting paper)

• Gently press blotting paper onto your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin.
• Combination to oily skin: A lot of oil can be absorbed by blotting paper on the entire face, indicating oily skin;
• Combination to dry skin: Oil is concentrated on the T-zone of blotting paper, while the cheeks are relatively clean and oil-free;

Mixed skin: mainly concentrated in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)

Skin texture testing method (3): Mirror observation method/touch test

• Observe the skin surface under natural light or touch it lightly with your fingertips: see if it is oily, has large pores, is too rough, or has obvious dry lines.
• Oily skin: The whole face feels smooth and greasy.
• Dry: Feels dry and tight to the touch.

Skin texture testing method (IV) Natural skin texture observation method

• After waking up in the morning, I only wash my face with facial cleanser and then wait until the afternoon without applying any skincare products.
• Oily skin: shiny T-zone. Combination skin: oily T-zone, but not excessively oily, while cheeks are somewhat dry.
• Dry skin: The face is not very oily and feels dry and tight.

Comparison chart of five skin types (dry, oily, combination, normal, sensitive)

Hormonal changes can also cause fluctuations in skin type. Therefore, even if you always think you have a certain skin type, it is recommended to have your skin tested regularly and adjust your skincare routine accordingly.

Alt text: Quick reference chart for 5 common skin types, comparing the skin identification criteria and characteristics of dry skin (dehydrated and tight), oily skin (excessive oil and large pores), combination skin (oily T-zone, dry U-zone), normal skin (balanced oil and water content), and sensitive skin (weak barrier, prone to redness).

5 Skin Care Methods and Key Points for Different Skin Types

dry skin

For dry skin, the focus should be on hydration and repair. First, use a serum containing hyaluronic acid to moisturize, then lock in the moisture with a ceramide cream. Avoid over-cleansing or hot water stimulation; choose a rich, non-greasy moisturizer to maintain a stable skin barrier.

oily skin

Oily skin requires a balance of oil control and moisturizing; choose a refreshing, non-comedogenic gel or lotion. Avoid strong oil-controlling products containing alcohol. You can use a serum containing BHA/salicylic acid to unclog pores, but avoid over-exfoliating.

Mixed skin

Combination skin requires targeted skincare: use oil-controlling or BHA products on the T-zone, and moisturizing creams containing hyaluronic acid or ceramides on the cheeks. Adjust your skincare routine according to the season and time of day; oil control during the day and moisturizing at night are most effective.

Neutral muscles

For normal skin, maintaining stability is key; proper cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection are sufficient. Lightweight moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid or ceramides are suitable. For more advanced skincare, retinol or vitamin C can be added, but adjustments to the skincare routine should be made gradually.

Sensitive skin

For sensitive skin, the focus should be on soothing, calming, and repairing the skin barrier. Products with simple ingredients and no alcohol or fragrance are the first choice. Repair creams containing centella asiatica, panthenol (B5), or ceramides can be used to relieve redness.

Advanced maintenance and seasonal changes

(Alt text: Finding the right skincare methods is key to healthy skin. It helps you to precisely implement the most suitable skincare strategy based on your own skin condition.)

Skin needs change with the seasons. Winter and transitional seasons tend to be dry, so dry and combination skin types should layer moisturizers on dry areas, while oily skin types should maintain hydration. In hot and humid weather, focus on oil control in the T-zone and switch to a moisturizing gel. It's recommended to have your skin analyzed each season and adjust your skincare routine accordingly.

Once you've completed a skin type test and determined whether you have dry, oily, combination, or normal skin, the next step is to gradually build your own skincare routine based on your skin type.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why does my skin still feel dry even after using moisturizer?
A: Possible causes include: over-cleansing, using products containing alcohol or fragrance that damage the skin barrier, skipping a moisturizing step (such as applying serum before moisturizer), or choosing the wrong skincare products (for example, using a too-thick product for oily skin can prevent moisture from penetrating). We recommend reviewing your cleansing methods, switching to a gentle cleanser, and strengthening your skin's moisture barrier.

Q: Can people with combination skin use the same face cream?
A: Ideally, people with combination skin can choose a multi-effect formula specifically designed for combination skin. However, if your T-zone is noticeably oily and your cheeks are dry, the best approach is to use a targeted skincare routine: use an oil-controlling gel on the T-zone and a moisturizing cream on the dry areas. This will better suit the changes in your skin type.

Q: Can people with oily skin really not use oil?
A: Not entirely. The key for oily skin is to choose non-comedogenic and lightweight oils or creams. Completely avoiding oil may actually cause the skin to overcompensate for dehydration, producing even more oil. Proper moisturizing and balancing oil and water levels are crucial.