Characterizing the skin by type – dry, oily, normal, combination, sensitive – might seem like a basic task. But it’s not that easy. Your skin is just as unique as you are, and the tiniest differences matter; assuming your skin type could result in a constant push up Struggle Street, subject to facing the same troublesome skin woes for a lifetime. But with the right know-how, you will come to better understand your unique skin.

When it comes to skin, try this approach: rather than pigeon-holing it to a type, instead think about what your skin might be prone to. This way, when looking for the right skincare products, the shift goes from focusing on one or two problematic things – and the products that are solely for those symptomatic issues – towards the necessities of your skin. Then you’ll more easily be able to find skincare products that are suitable for those needs.

To help you get some better insight, we put together this test.  Answer each question as closely to the truth as possible. Add up the numbers to your answers and then total the numbers to get your final score.
So grab and a pen, something to scribble on, and quiz it up.

“KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE” QUIZ

In the morning, my skin appears:

1. Lacklustre and tight
2. No different than usual
3. Inflamed with patches of red and pink
4. Shiny, especially around my hairline and nose

After cleansing my face, my skin feels:

1. Taut and dry as if it could crack
2. Tight and dry, and needs to be moisturised straight away
3. Like I could wait a while before moisturising
4. Like I don’t need to moisturise after cleansing

I get dry or itchy patches:

1. Always
2. Sometimes
3. Only in extreme weather
4. Never

The size of my pores are:

1. Not noticeable
2. Small, and mostly around the nose
3. Large, around the forehead, nose and chin
4. Large, pretty much all over

To keep my nose from shining, I normally use powder to cover it:

1. Never
2. Once a day (or more in the summer)
3. Twice a day
4. More than three times a day

The skin on my body is best described as:

1. My legs are noticeably dry without moisturiser, and there are small red dots on the back of my arms
2. My legs are dry without moisturiser, but only in the winter
3. My legs are dry without moisturiser in the winter, and I breakout on my face occasionally
4. My legs are well moisturised, though I have regular breakouts on my chest and back

When I laugh or frown, my expressive wrinkles:

1. Appear quite deep after laughing or frowning
2. Remain visible after laughing or frowning
3. Quickly disappear after laughing or frowning
4. Aren’t apparent – no major lines or wrinkles after laughing or frowning

My lips are chapped:

1.  Always
2. More often than not
3. Only in extreme weather
4. Hardly ever

I wash my hair how many times per week before it gets oily:

1. Once a week
2. Every three to four days
3. Every second day
4. Daily, and by bedtime it’s oily again

Total Score*

9 – 11 = Mature, ageing skin
12 – 18 = Prone to dryness
19 – 25 = Prone to redness, or sensitive skin
26 – 30 = Prone to excessive oil production
31 – 36 = Acne prone

*Allow for the results to be give or take

THE RESULT

Mature, ageing skin

Mature, ageing skin is driven by age and environmental factors that cause oxidative damage to the skin. Sun exposure, stress levels and lifestyle choices – along with the innate aging process – present the skin with a dull tone, uneven pigmentation or sun spots, fine lines or wrinkles that accompany dryness and sagging due to natural collagen depletion.

Ingredients for mature skin:

Mature aging skin can be damaged, lackluster and dry. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and the go-to ingredient for brightening the skin’s complexion. It also improves the skin’s texture & tone while inhibiting the production of melanin pigments. A vitamin C serum treatment is brightening, hydrating and perfect for mature, ageing skin. It’s also important to stimulate blood flow and oxygenation to the skin, which can be done by gently exfoliating.

Dry skin

Dry skin conditions depend on how well your body can produce oil and maintain water balance in the body. Age, incorrect product use and certain medications’ side effects can decrease sebaceous gland activity, compromising the skin’s oil production.

Ingredients for dry skin:

You first want to make sure you’re not confusing dry skin with dehydrated skin.  Dry skin is defined by little to no natural oils, while dehydrated skin indicated by a lack of water and hydration. Dry skin will crave oil-based products to help moisturise the skin barriers. Think restorative face serum, an active infusion serum or a rosehip serum.

Dehydrated skin will do better on aloe or coconut water-based products. They are longer lasting, and help to replenish the collagen reservoir. Another key ingredient to look for is hyaluronic acid, which acts to restore the skin’s water balance. It’ll leave the skin feeling supple, hydrated & rejuvenated.

Redness-prone/sensitive skin

Sensitive skin can flare up red, become agitated, sting or burn at the slightest provocation. Hereditary aspects are one aspect of this with higher histamine levels. But weather, allergies, sensitivities, environmental pollution, skin care products, sleep, hormonal change, stress and dehydration (amongst other things that may be personal triggers) are also at play. Any of these factors can cause an increased inflammatory response in the body, typically presenting as rosacea, eczema or hyper-reactive skin.

Ingredients for redness prone/sensitive skin:

The aim with this skin type is to care for the skin’s barrier function without causing irritation. Out of all of the irritating ingredients, perfume & fragrance are amongst the most common ingredients that sensitive skin types should avoid. Look for low-reactive ingredients like calendula, honey, shea butter, and oatmeal.

Soothing treatments with oatmeal will keep inflammation at bay, while antioxidants, like white tea or green tea, can also improve circulation and are gentle enough for sensitive skin. If rosacea is a problem for you, steer clear from the ingredient propylene glycol, which can irritate skin prone to redness, causing flare-ups.

Oily skin

Waking up with a shiny gloss is a true attribute of oil-prone skin. The oiliness of your skin can depend on stage of life, time of year or the weather. A hormonal imbalance can affect how much oil is produced. Those going through puberty have more oil production than those experiencing menopause, where the skin tends towards dryness. A tell tale sign is grease buildup on your skin, which will transfer to anything it touches. Quick test: check your phone next time you’re finished talking to someone.

Ingredients for oily skin:

With oily skin, it’s important to focus on what not to use. Any ingredient from the Laureth family like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) and ammonium laureth sulfate are big no go’s. They are present in most foaming products, with their sole purpose being to degrease. While they leave the skin feeling squeaky clean, they also strip the skin of its natural oils; this only stimulates the sebum glands to produce more oil in the long run.

Hydrating oily skin is key here. Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera have this wonderful ability to moisturise without giving you a greasy feel, so either can work wonders for anyone with an oily skin complexion. Something like the M Picaut Hydra Miracle Serum would be fitting.

Acne-prone skin:

Hormonal change, enlarged pores or poor bowel movements can all attribute to acne-prone skin. These skin types tend to break out more easily than their cohorts. While age can sometimes determine if it’s hormonal, bacterial or genetic, the severity and consistency can be the same for all acne-prone skin.

Ingredients for acne-prone skin:

Similar to oily skin, those who often experience acne should steer clear from the sulfate family: like sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and ammonium laureth sulfate. These ingredients worsen acne by stimulating sebum production. Heavy oils like shea or cocoa butter or mineral and petroleum-based products should also be avoided. They will tend to clog already grappling pores. Instead, opt for non-comedogenic products, which are formulated so as not to cause block pores. Such as Absolution’s anti-blemish treatments, which contain glycerin. Glycerin is non-toxic and non-irritating, while being a non-comedogenic.

Salicylic acid is another key ingredient for acne prone skin. Votary has an oil that reduces blemishes, containing salicylic acid. You don’t need afraid to put oils on blemishes, because it can be an effective treatments. Salicylic acid has the ability to neutralize the bacteria behind breakouts and reduce overall inflammation.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2015 and was updated in May 2018 for accuracy.