What kind of Skin do you have? How to recognize it and what to do for each type

Before buying any skincare product, the most important thing is to know your skin type. Without this basic knowledge, you risk choosing unsuitable products or building skincare routines that don’t meet your skin’s needs. You ask us this often, and the skin type classifications found online don’t help: there are so many, often confusing, sometimes contradictory. Here we explain how to recognize your skin type, the characteristics of the six skin types, and how to choose the right routine.

How to figure out what Skin type you have

There are two methods simple methods you can do at home.

The cleansing test

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and do not apply anything afterwards. Wait one hour. Then observe your Skin and how it feels.

• If your skin feels rough, tight, or you notice flaking, it’s probably Dry skin
• If you experience itching, burning, or discomfort, it could be sensitive Skin
• If your skin feels neither dry nor oily, it is Normal skin
• If you notice shine only on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) but your cheeks stay normal or dry, it is Combination skin
• If your entire face feels oily, it is oily Skin
• If your skin feels dehydrated on the surface but you notice impurities or under-the-skin pimples, it could be Congested skin

The daytime test

Observe your Skin over a typical day, without makeup if possible. Midday, what does it look like? Where is it shiny? Where does it feel tight? Where do blemishes appear? These daily signs are just as useful as the post-cleansing test.

Not sure?

Take the our test about your Skin type If you still have doubts after these tests, we created our own Skincare Builder. It is a free quiz, validated by Dr. Maria Pia Priore, that guides you to identify your Skin type and suggests a customized routine for you. Take the free quiz →

The 6 Skin types and their characteristics

• Normal skin: this is the rarest Skin type. It is neither too dry nor too oily. The complexion looks smooth, even, with barely visible pores and good natural hydration. It has no specific seasonal needs or reactivity to products. The goal is to maintain this balance with hydration and antioxidant protection.
• Dry skin: it appears dull, lackluster, rough to the touch, with a tendency to flake. Pores are barely visible. It can cause feelings of tightness and itchiness, especially after cleansing. It produces less sebum than needed, and the skin barrier tends to be less robust. Be careful not to confuse it with dehydrated Skin, which is a temporary condition linked to a water deficit that can affect any Skin type. Recommended active ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Panthenol.
• Oily Skin: thick, shiny complexion, with enlarged, visible pores, especially in the T-zone. It is characterized by excess sebum production that can lead to comedones, blackheads, and pimples. This is primarily driven by genetic and hormonal factors. A common mistake is trying to strip away all sebum with harsh cleansers: the Skin responds by producing even more. The goal is to regulate sebum, not eliminate it entirely. Recommended active ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide.
• Combination skin: this is the most common Skin type. The T-zone tends to be oilier, with more visible pores and potential blemishes, while the cheeks may be normal or prone to dryness. Sebaceous glands are more concentrated in the T-zone and produce excess sebum. The challenge is that this Skin type seems to require opposite treatments on different areas of the face. The key is balance: sebum regulation where needed, hydration where the Skin requires it.
• Congested skin:the most difficult type to identify. It appears dull and dehydrated on the surface, but has subcutaneous impurities: small pimples, blackheads, and microcysts. Thicker-than-normal sebum mixes with shed dead skin cells, clogging pores from within and preventing normal skin respiration. The result is a skin that feels dry but also has characteristics of Impure skin. If you only treat it as dry, you will weigh it down. If you only treat it as Impure skin, you will dry it out. Recommended active ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, lightweight-texture hydrators.
• Sensitive Skin: this is more than a Skin type: it is a state of hyperreactivity, and it can overlap with any other Skin type. It appears thin, with redness, itchiness, stinging, or tightness, especially in response to certain products, temperature swings, wind, or UV rays. The cause is a compromised skin barrier that makes the Skin more vulnerable to external triggers. Products should be introduced gradually, one at a time. Recommended active ingredients: Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Allantoin, Madecassoside.

Products and routines for every Skin type

Now that you know your Skin type, the next step is to build the right routine. We created specific routines for every type, with products designed to work in synergy.

• Skincare for Oily and Impure Skin: regulate sebum, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, prevent impurities without drying out the skin. Discover the routine and products →
• Skincare Dry skin: intense hydration, support for the skin barrier function, rich, comfortable textures. Discover the routine and products →
• Combination skin Skincare: balance between cleansing and hydration, with lightweight textures. Discover the routine and products →
• Skincare for Congested skin: gentle exfoliation, sebum regulation, and lightweight hydration to combat pore congestion. Discover the routine and products →
• Skincare for Sensitive Skin: soothing, protective, and barrier-supporting ingredients, with formulas designed to avoid irritation. Discover the routine and products →
• Normal skin Skincare: maintain balance with hydration, antioxidants, and sun protection. Discover the routine and products →

Not sure where to start? Take our Skincare Builder. In just a few questions, we help you identify your Skin type and suggest the most suitable routine for you.

Dr. Maria Pia Priore’s Advice

Skin type is not fixed for your entire life. It can change with age, with the seasons, with hormonal shifts, and with lifestyle. Skin that was oily at 20 years old can become combination by age 35, or Normal skin can become more sensitive after a period of stress. That is why I recommend periodically reassessing your own Skin and, if necessary, updating your routine. This is not about changing everything. It is about listening to what your Skin is telling you and responding in the right way. If you do not know where to start, our Skincare Builder was created exactly for this purpose.

Dr. Maria Pia Priore, pharmacist, cosmetologist, and founder of Skin First®

Maria Pia Priore

Founder di SKIN FIRST®, farmacista e cosmetologa

In conclusion

Understanding your Skin type is not a trivial detail. It is the starting point for choosing the right products, avoiding those that do not serve you, and building a routine that works for you. Take the test, observe your Skin, and if you have doubts, our quiz is always available.