A Guide to The 5 Types of Skin and Their Characteristics

Getting acquainted with the different types of skin and tailoring your skincare according to your skin type is essential to your beauty routine. Therefore, your first step when changing your skincare routine (or trying out a new routine for the first time), is to identify what your skin type is.

Your skin type impacts every aspect of your skincare and makeup routine. Your skin type is determined by several factors such as how much oil, or sebum, a person’s skin produces, including genetics, age, and environment.

The major categories of skin type are: normal skin, oily skin, dry skin, combination skin, and sensitive skin. It is important to also note that one can have multiple skin types. We will also share some of the characteristics these various skin types possess!

THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE 5 TYPES OF SKIN

Oily skin- A Guide to The 5 Types of Skin and Their Characteristics

NORMAL SKIN TYPE:

Normal skin type is neither too oily nor dry. It is generally less reactive to external aggressors and pretty easy to maintain. However, even normal/balanced skin sometimes experiences breakouts or dullness.

Normal Skin Type Characteristics include;

Skin is neither too oily or too dry
Good blood circulation
Pores are fine, hardly visible
Less reactive to elements and irritants
Skin is often blemish free

OILY SKIN TYPE:

If a person has oily skin, their skin produces more sebum than it needs. Oily skin is characterized by its greasiness throughout the face. This happens because of the over activity of sebaceous glands, leading to excessive oil (sebum) production on the skin.

Characteristics of Skin Type may Include;

feels greasy
is prone to acne or blackheads
has large pores that clog easily
looks shiny, especially around the nose and forehead

TYPES OF SKIN: DRY

If a person has dry skin, their skin produces less sebum than it needs.Dry skin type is often flaky, and can even have a powdery look as it lacks hydration and feels tight on your face. Dry skin also leads to sensitivity to products. For instance, certain cleansers, foaming face wash or exfoliating serums commonly cause irritation on dry skin.

This Kind of Skin Type may Notice;

Rough or flaky texture;
Barely visible pores.
Redness and irritation;
Tightness/lack of elasticity;
More noticeable fine lines and wrinkles;

COMBINATION SKIN TYPE:

A combination of skin is identified as having an oily T-zone and dry cheeks. In people with combination skin, some areas of their skin will be oily, while others may feel dry. Areas prone to oiliness include the forehead, nose, and chin, collectively known as the T-zone. The oiliness and the dryness are a response to weather conditions – with summers causing extreme oiliness and winters causing dryness.

Characteristics of Skin type Include;

Oily and Enlarged pores around chin, nose and forehead
Especially prone to acne on T-zone
Mouth, eyes, and cheeks may have dry or normal skin

TYPES OF SKIN: SENSITIVE

Sensitive skin is characterized by its reactions to products, environmental factors, or even food in a manner that is more persistent with constant triggers. Sensitive skin can become irritated or inflamed easily. Unlike other skin types, sensitive skin is not determined by how much sebum a person’s skin produces sebum (oil).

Characteristics of Sensitive Skin Type Include: