How to Figure Out Your True Skin Type
If your skincare feels random, your skin type is often the reason. Oily and dehydrated skin often looks like “dry skin.” Sensitive skin often gets mislabeled as “acne-prone.”
This guide helps you identify your true skin type with simple at-home tests. You will also learn what to do next, with product picks from The Pretty Picks.
What “skin type” means
Your skin type describes how your skin behaves most days. It depends on oil production, water balance, and barrier strength.
- Oily: produces excess oil across most of the face
- Dry: produces low oil, feels tight, looks flaky
- Combination: oily in the T-zone, normal to dry on cheeks
- Normal: balanced oil and hydration, few issues
- Sensitive: reacts easily with stinging, redness, itching, or bumps
Why your skin type feels “different” in Gulf weather
Heat, humidity, strong sun, dust, and heavy AC change how your skin behaves. Many people feel oilier outside, then tight and dry indoors from AC. This is why one fast test alone often gives the wrong answer.
The best way to find your true skin type
Use this 3-step method for the most accurate result. Do it on a normal week, not right after a facial, peeling, or new active.
Step 1: The bare face test (the most important test)
Do this at night.
- Cleanse with a gentle cleanser.
- Pat dry. Do not apply any skincare.
- Wait 60 minutes indoors.
- Check how your skin feels and looks.
What your results mean
- Tight all over, rough patches, flaky areas: Dry skin
- Shiny all over, especially forehead and nose: Oily skin
- Shiny T-zone, cheeks feel normal or tight: Combination skin
- Comfortable, no shine, no tightness: Normal skin
- Stinging, redness, itch, heat sensation: Sensitive skin (any base type)
Step 2: The blotting test (to confirm oil levels)
Do this around midday.
- Press blotting paper or a clean tissue on forehead, nose, chin, then cheeks.
- Hold it up to light.
- Oil on most areas: Oily
- Oil mostly on forehead and nose: Combination
- Little to no oil: Dry or normal
Step 3: The “hydration vs oil” check (this prevents common mistakes)
Many people treat dehydration like dryness. Dehydration is low water, not low oil. Your skin can look shiny and still feel tight.
- Oily but tight, makeup cracks, fine lines look sharper: Often dehydrated oily skin
- Greasy + frequent clogged pores: Often true oily skin
- Flaky + rough + no shine: Often true dry skin
The most common skin type mix-ups
Mix-up 1: “I have dry skin because I feel tight”
Tightness often comes from a damaged barrier or dehydration. Over-cleansing, hot water, strong acids, and long sun exposure often cause it.
Mix-up 2: “I have oily skin because I look shiny”
Shine in humid weather does not always equal oily skin. A heavy sunscreen, thick moisturizer, or layered products also create shine.
Mix-up 3: “I have sensitive skin”
Sensitive skin means your skin reacts easily. It often shows as stinging, redness, itch, or sudden bumps after products, sweat, sun, or fragrance. Sensitive skin can be oily, dry, combination, or normal.
Quick self-check quiz
Choose the closest answer for most days.
- By midday, my face looks: shiny all over / shiny only in T-zone / not shiny
- After cleansing, my face feels: tight / comfortable / oily fast
- My pores look: visible and clog easily / visible in T-zone only / small
- My cheeks feel: normal / tight or flaky / oily
- I react to products with: often / sometimes / rarely
If you picked “often” for reactions, treat sensitivity as a key factor even if your base type is oily or dry.
What to buy next based on your skin type
Keep your routine simple for 10 to 14 days. One cleanser. One serum or essence. One moisturizer. One sunscreen. Then adjust.
Oily skin routine picks
- Cleanser: Arencia Fresh Green Rice Mochi Cleanser
- Dark spots and post-acne marks: Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum (30 ml)
- Daily sunscreen: Anua Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen (50 ml)
Dry skin routine picks
- Start with gentle cleansing: Shop Cleanser Essentials
- Hydration step: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water (150 ml)
- Moisturizer for comfort and barrier support: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream (50 ml)
- Daily sunscreen: Anua Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen (50 ml)
Combination skin routine picks
- Cleanser: Anua 8 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser (150 ml)
- Uneven tone and dullness: Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum (30 ml)
- Moisturizer that feels light but supportive: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream (50 ml)
- Daily sunscreen: Anua Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen (50 ml)
Normal skin routine picks
- Cleanser: Anua 8 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser (150 ml)
- Simple hydration: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water (150 ml)
- Daily sunscreen: Anua Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen (50 ml)
Sensitive skin routine picks
Sensitive skin can be oily, dry, combination, or normal. Keep the routine calm and steady first.
- Gentle cleansing options: Shop Cleanser Essentials
- Barrier support moisturizer: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream (50 ml)
- Daily sunscreen with a comfortable finish: Anua Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen (50 ml)
How to patch test when you are unsure
- Apply a small amount behind your ear or along your jawline.
- Use it once a day for 2 days.
- Stop if you get burning, swelling, or rash.
- If your skin stays calm, use it on your full face every other day for the first week.
Signs your routine does not match your skin type
- You feel tight after cleansing every day: cleanser is too stripping
- You feel greasy and congested after moisturizing: layers are too heavy for your skin
- You look shiny but feel tight: you need more hydration, not stronger oil control
- You sting with simple products: your barrier needs recovery time
If you want the simplest next step, start with a gentle cleanser and a daily sunscreen. Add one targeted product after 10 to 14 days based on what your skin shows you.
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