An Ultimate Guide to Identify Your Skin Type

A lot of people are unaware of their skin type and the importance of skin analysis. They could be your friend, colleague, or family. They use skin care products similar to what their friends use without considering their skin type and concerns. (1)

The first step to treating and maintaining healthy skin is understanding its function and structure, whether oily, dry, normal, sensitive, or a combination of these. (2) 

By knowing these, you can customize the skin care products you use according to your skin type, as different skin types require different treatments. Using products that don’t suit your skin can lead to skin damage. (1)

This article discusses different skin types and simple techniques to determine your skin type so you can use skin care products accordingly. 

Easy Methods to Identify Different Skin Types

The following are the tests you can do at home to identify your skin type.

Normal skin

Use the bare-faced method to identify normal skin.

1. Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry.
2. Leave your skin bare for at least 30 minutes.
3. Make different facial expressions to check the shine and tightness of your skin. If there are no signs of dryness and oiliness and your skin feels comfortable, then your skin is normal. 

Oily skin

Use the blotting sheet method to identify oily skin.

1. Pat blotting paper on different regions of your face gently.
2. Raise this paper to a light source such as a lamp or window to check the oil’s visibility. Your skin is oily if the sheet is entirely soaked with oil.

Dry skin

Use the bare-faced method to identify dry skin.

1. Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser and pat it dry. 
2. Leave your skin bare for at least 30 minutes. 
3. Make different facial expressions to check wrinkles and skin tightness when pinched. Your skin is dry if it shows any signs of tightness, flaking, or white patches. 

Combination skin

Use the blotting sheet method to identify combination skin.

1. Pat blotting paper on different regions of your face. 
2. Raise this paper to a light source such as a lamp or window to check the oil’s visibility. Your skin is combination skin if the paper shows the visibility of the oil near the nose or forehead areas but not on the jawline or cheeks.

Sensitive skin

Use the brush test method to identify sensitive skin.

1. With minimal pressure, brush your fingers across the side of your face. 
2. Check if there’s redness or irritation. 
3. Your skin is sensitive if it becomes irritated or turns red.

Dermatologists’ Methods and Tools to Identify Skin Type 

Dermatologists identify skin type by studying skin dryness, sensitivity, and oiliness. They check your medical history to examine your skin type, ask questions regarding your skin care regimen, and use a combination of visual tests.

Some also use a special light or a magnifying glass to inspect your skin more closely. (3)

The following are the tests used by dermatologists to determine skin type.

1. Visual rating scales

Dermatologists use visual rating scales to identify skin conditions and types.

These scales rate different aspects of your skin (dryness, color, sensitivity, oiliness, or signs of aging) and compare the same using descriptions, images, or questions. Additionally, they guide you on how to protect and care for your skin. 

A few examples of visual rating scales are: (3)

• The Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Classification: It can identify your skin type based on sun reaction and color and helps you pick a suitable sun protection product. 
• The Baumann Skin Type System: It covers 16 skin types through four parameters: pigmented/nonpigmented, sensitive/resistant, wrinkled/tight, and dry/oily. You get personalized skin care recommendations based on a questionnaire.
• The Griffiths Photo Numeric Scale: This scale evaluates signs of aging, such as texture, sagging, wrinkles, and pigmentation, by using different genders and age group photos to rate the aging status of your skin and then suggests anti-aging treatments accordingly.
• The Glogau Scale: This scale evaluates facial signs such as photodamage and wrinkles using four category descriptions, namely, mild, moderate, progressive, and severe, for you to pick suitable cosmetic interventions. 
• The SCINEXA Scale: This scale measures extrinsic and intrinsic characteristics affecting skin aging. It also involves a questionnaire to calculate your skin’s biological age, and it provides feedback to improve the appearance and health of your skin. (3)

Visual rating scales are handy and need no expertise or special equipment to perform. However, they have some limitations:

• These scales might be subjective and are influenced by personal preferences and insights. 
• They may avoid variations and nuances based on distinct skin conditions and types. 
• They might not be accurate or applicable to all geographic locations or ethnicities. (3)

2. Self-report instruments

Dermatologists use self-report instruments to collect data about skin conditions and types based on your perspective by assessing and measuring certain skin aspects, such as sensitivity, hydration, elasticity, and sebum production. 

A few examples of self-report instruments are: (3)

• The Corneometer: It is an electrical method that provides a numerical value of the skin’s water content to measure the skin surface’s hydration level. The higher the number, the higher the hydration. (4)
• The Sebumeter: It is a photometric method that measures the skin’s sebum production and provides a numerical value showing the skin’s sebum amount. The higher the number, the higher the sebum production. (5)
• The Cutometer: It uses a suction method that provides different parameters to measure skin elasticity such as resilience, firmness, and viscoelasticity. The higher the number, the higher the elasticity. (6)

Self-report instruments provide more precise and objective rates than visual rating scales. They deliver quantitative data that can be observed or compared over time.

However, they have some limitations:

• They require expertise or special equipment that isn’t affordable or accessible.
• They might be unable to calculate comprehensive or relevant data on different skin conditions and types.
• They might not be valid or applicable to all geographic locations or ethnicities. (3)

General Queries

Final Word

Several methods and tools can be used to identify your skin type, such as self-report instruments and visual rating scales. They have pros and cons, and there may be a need to use more than one method for an accurate and complete assessment of your skin type.

Knowing your skin type can help you enhance the appearance and health of the skin by allowing you to choose and use the right skin care products.

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