Not sure if you’re dry, oily, or somewhere in between? Trying to figure it out can feel like a guessing game especially when influencers on socials or big brand marketing campaigns are all out here telling us that we need everything under the sun!
One minute it’s “buy this for your dry skin!” and next its “wait, this miracle serum is for oily skin too!”. It’s enough to make your head spin. Knowing your skin type isn’t about putting yourself in a box. It’s about understanding how your skin behaves so you can actually figure out what it needs. Because when you use the wrong stuff? It doesn’t matter how expensive or trending it is – I promise your skin will let you know! Redness, breakouts, dryness are all signs that your skincare might be fighting against your skin, not working with it.
The good news though? Figuring it out is way easier than you think. And once you know, you can build a routine that makes your skin happy without the drama.
So let’s take a deep breath and break it down in real people words!
The 5 Main Skin Types (And How to Spot Yours)
1. Normal Skin
- Feels Balanced – not too oily, not too dry
- Rarely throws a tantrum (aka breakouts or irritation)
- Smooth texture, minimal visible pores
2. Oily Skin
- Shiny (especially by lunchtime)
- Pores looking a bit too visible
- Prone to blackheads and breakouts
3. Dry Skin
- Feels tight, flaky, or just a bit “meh” after cleansing
- Can look dull or textured
- Fine lines show up uninvited
4. Combination Skin
- Shiny in the T zone but dry or normal everywhere else
- Might have breakouts AND dry patches. Yep literally a bit of this and a bit of that
5. Sensitive Skin
- Reacts easily with redness, stinging, burning, the works!
- Often flares up with fragrance or strong actives
🔍 Now here’s how to decode your skin’s signals without needing a degree in dermatology! (No Fancy Tools Needed)
1. Cleanse: wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry with a clean cloth
2. Wait: don’t apply anything else for about 30-60 minutes
3. Check:
💧 Tight, rough or flaky? You’re likely dealing with dry skin. It’s thirsty and missing those natural oils that keep it feeling soft and smooth.
What to try: We’d start you off with the Daily Essentials Bundle. It’s a solid, no fuss routine that focuses on hydration and overall skin health. For an extra moisture boost, which your skin is crying for, add in our Hyaluronic Acid Serum to cart to help your extra parched skin. It is a beautiful lightweight, non-sticky and fits perfectly between your cleanser and moisturiser to give you juicy, bouncy hydration that lasts all day long.
✨ Shiny from forehead to chin? That’s oily skin. Your sebaceous glands are in overdrive, often leading to clogged pores and breakouts if not balanced properly.
What to try: The Clear AF Kit is made for your skin type. A simple, effective 3-step routine that actually works! Start with the gentle aloe vera gel based cleanser, followed by our powerful 20% Azelaic Acid + 10% Niacinamide Serum and finish with a calming moisturiser packed with MultiEX BSASM compound (that’s 7 soothing botanical extracts for deep hydration). This kit filled with powerhouse ingredients will help balance oil production, calm irritation and keep your skin feeling fresh, clear and in control!
🌗 Oily in the T-zone but dry or normal in other places? Say hello to combination skin! The over achiever of skin types! You will want a routine that balances both sides without over doing it.
What to try: When your skin’s giving you mixed signals, the trick is to keep it simple because let’s face it your skin is already a lil confused. We recommend starting with our Daily Essentials Bundle as its designed to gently cleanse, hydrate and balance your skins natural oil production without stripping your natural moisture barrier. And yes, even oily skin needs moisturiser!
Then tailor your routine even more with our Build Your Own Bundle service where you can customise your products based on your skins needs in each area. BONUS: The more you add the more you save. Add our Hyaluronic Acid Serum for your dry patches to deliver deep, non-sticky hydration and help other products absorb better.
Our Vitamin C Serum to help even out skin tone and brighten duller areas. Use the helloskin 20% Azelaic Acid + 10% Niacinamide Serum to help target breakouts, clogged pores and redness. This serum is especially great if you’re dealing with hormonal flare ups or a textured t-zone.
😌 Skin feeling soft, smooth and not doing anything dramatic? You’ve hit the skincare jackpot with normal skin type. Your job is to maintain the balance and not mess with a good thing my love!
What to try: You are one of the lucky ones and we absolutely love that for you. Your goal is maintenance, not overhaul, you’ll freak your skin out. Stay away from the fads and stick with a consistent routine like the Daily Essentials Bundle and your skin will stay chilled and balanced.
🔥 Red, stingy or reactive? That’s a telling sign that you’ve got sensitive skin. Less is more here, stay away from harsh actives and go for fragrance free and barrier supportive products.
What to try: Start with the Daily Essentials Bundle as your base. Its gentle and extremely barrier supportive. You can introduce the Hyaluronic Acid Serum for extra hydration and if you suspect redness or rosacea, slowly build into the helloskin 20% Azelaic Acid + 10% Niacinamide Serum a few times a week – this is a powerhouse blend to calm redness. Go slow and your skin will tell you what it can handle. AND of course, as always, patch test first!
Can Your Skin Type Change?
Absolutely! Hormones, stress, weather and even your skincare routine can cause your skin to switch it up. That’s why it’s smart to check in with your skin every few months, especially after big life shifts, it’s a game changer!
Final Thoughts (Because We’re Here for Your Glow Up)
Knowing your skin type is like knowing your coffee order. Once you’ve got it down pat, everything runs smoother. No more guessing games. No more buying in to social media trends and freaking out your skin. Just skincare that actually works for you.
Whatever your skins vibe, helloskin has got the goods to keep it balanced, hydrated and happy. And if you’re ever unsure, you where to find us, we are only a DM, email or phone call away!
XO Souraya
& your glow crew ✨
