You can do a physical test to check your skin type. A home test measures sebum production. Sebum is a waxy, oily liquid that comes from your pores. The amount of sebum your skin produces can determine if your skin is:
- dry
- oily
- normal
- combination
Testing sebum production on a clean face is the most accurate way to determine what kind of skin you have. Follow these steps:
- Wash your face and pat it dry. Wait 30 minutes.
- Gently press oil blotting paper or tissue on your face. Press the paper on different areas of your skin, such as
- your forehead and nose, cheeks, and chin.
- Hold the sheet to the light to see how transparent the paper is.
- Test results Skin type
- No transparency, but with flakes or tight skin dry
- Soaked through oily
- Different levels of absorption on different areas of the face combination
- Not too oily and no flaky skin normal
- Along with the above skin types, you can also have sensitive skin, which doesn’t follow the sebum criteria.
Sensitive skin depends on:
- how fast your skin reacts to product application
- how well your skin protects itself
- how easily your skin turns red
- likelihood of skin allergy
When to see a doctor or dermatologist?
You should see a dermatologist if your skin problems don’t go away with over-the-counter products. More severe acne, scarring, or other problems may need prescription treatment such as oral antibiotics, birth control, or topical prescription retinoids. Your dermatologist may perform an extraction for deeper cysts or acne spots that are stuck underneath your skin.
Remember that your skin type can affect how products work. Using the wrong product, even when natural, can cause breakouts, worsen blemishes, or cause redness. It’s best to find out what skin type you have and build your skin care routine around that. You can also take notes on product ingredients to see if specific ingredients are causing unwanted skin reactions.