What skin type do I have?

Understanding your skin type can help you choose products that support your skin’s unique needs. While genetics play a role, it is important to note that other factors can influence how your skin behaves over time¹. Knowing your skin type also makes it easier to adjust your routine seasonally to help maintain your skin’s appearance year-round. Read below to learn the characteristics of each skin type and how to build a routine that works for you.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are five main skin types²:

• Normal
• Dry
• Oily 
• Combination
• And sensitive skin. 

Read below for more information about each type of skin.

Normal skin is generally well-balanced, meaning it is neither too oily nor too dry. This skin type typically produces a manageable amount of oil that allows it to stay moisturized without being considered oily nor excessively dry³.

Dry skin occurs when your skin produces less sebum than normal skin. Sebum is an oily substance produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands that helps skin stay moisturized¹. A lack of this can result in your skin becoming dry, which may then lead to skin looking dull, feeling tight, rough, or itchy from dryness⁴.

Oily skin is caused by an overproduction of sebum. In contrast with dry skin where there isn’t enough sebum and normal skin where the skin’s oil production is balanced, the excess sebum produced by oily skin can make skin appear shiny and can contribute to clogged pores¹. The amount of oil in the skin can also vary depending on the time of year⁵.

Combination skin includes characteristics of more than one skin type¹. Skin may feel dry or normal in some areas and more oily in others, such as the T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin). Because of this, different areas may benefit from different skincare approaches¹.

Sensitive skin refers to skin that experiences negative reactions to things that normal skin doesn’t react to⁶. This may include things like scented laundry detergents, soaps, certain skincare products, fabrics, temperature extremes, and even stress⁷. 

Learn more about each specific skin type in the sections below.

Normal skin is considered well-balanced and people with a normal skin type typically don’t experience many problems with their skin. While normal skin is considered lower maintenance and balanced, it’s important to remember that skin can fluctuate and normal skin may occasionally experience times of dryness, oiliness, or sensitivity⁸.

If your skin is normal, you will have:

• Medium-sized pores that aren’t overly noticeable³ 
• A smooth skin texture
• A clear complexion
• Even skin tone
• Minimal oiliness³
• Lack of tightness or oiliness after washing¹

Dry skin describes skin with lower levels of moisture and can be linked to a lack of natural oil or sebum, which can make skin feel tight or rough¹. Skin can also change over time and many people may notice it feels drier with age⁹. 

Eucerin Roughness Relief Lotion enriched with 10% Urea, Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and Ceramide-3 intensively hydrates and moisturizes dry, rough, and bumpy skin with a specialized formula that helps strengthen the skin's moisture barrier and provides 72-hour hydration. Suitable for sensitive skin, this fast-absorbing moisturizer is shown to provide a smoother, healthy-looking appearance.

Dry skin is a common concern affecting people of all ages, often linked to lower moisture and oil levels at the skin’s surface⁴. External factors such as cold or dry weather, frequent hot showers, and low indoor humidity can influence how dry your skin feels¹⁰, as well as overall hydration levels and internal factors like genetics⁴.

Dry skin can look and feel different from person to person¹¹ and ranges in severity, from skin that may be a little bit dryer than normal to very dry, rough skin that may become itchy or flaky from dryness. Certain areas, like the hands, feet, elbows, and knees, are commonly prone to dryness and may require some extra care⁴.

Explore Eucerin’s full line of skincare products for dry skin.

Dry skin due to eczema

Eczema is a chronic, non-contagious skin disease characterized by dryness, itchiness and flakiness that goes through periods of flareups, whereas dry skin is common and generally caused by a lack of moisture in the skin¹². Eczema occurs more frequently in childhood but affects many adults as well¹³. If you have dry skin, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have eczema¹².

If you’re concerned your dry skin may be caused by eczema, or if dryness becomes persistent or very uncomfortable, speak with a healthcare professional for further guidance.

Oily skin is a skin type characterized by the overproduction of sebum, the skin’s natural oil. It tends to have a shiny or greasy appearance, particularly in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).

Oily skin is common among adolescents as sebum production increases during puberty, but oily skin can affect people of all ages and can also be influenced by external factors like climate or the time of year⁵. Proper skincare, including cleansing and using products formulated for oily skin, can help manage oil production. 

Sebum production varies widely from person to person and reasons for this are not always clear. Here are some reasons why skin may be more oily.

• Genetics
• Climate - Studies have shown that skin produces more sebum in humid climates or during warmer months of the year⁵.
• Age - Sebum production changes at different times of our lives. During adolescence, sebum production increases, whereas as we age, it slows down and skin can become more dry⁵. 
• Comedogenic cosmetics (make-up products that clog the pores)
• Overwashing or using harsh skincare products - If you scrub your face too hard or dry out skin by overwashing, the skin can overcompensate by producing more oil in response¹⁵.

Oily skin often shows enlarged and visible pores, especially in the T-zone, which is the forehead, nose, and chin area. The characteristics of oily skin usually include the following:

• Enlarged, clearly visible pores
• A glossy shine
• Oily skin is prone to comedones (clogged pores), which can lead to breakouts⁵.

Combination skin consists of a mix of skin types. This means that your skin can be dry or normal in some areas but oily in others, commonly in the T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin). 

Characteristics of combination skin include:

• An oily T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) with shiny skin
• Enlarged pores in this area, or pores that look larger than normal
• Clogged pores in oily areas 
• Normal to dry cheeks

The causes of combination skin can vary. Here are some of the factors that may contribute to this skin type:

• Genetics
• Natural changes in oil production as skin ages 
• Environmental factors and weather
• Skincare products¹⁵
  
   

When caring for combination skin, it can be helpful to tailor products to the needs of different areas¹⁶. Oily regions, such as the T-zone, may benefit from lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizers and gentle cleansers that help reduce excess shine without stripping the skin.

The Eucerin Gentle Cleansing Gel is formulated to cleanse without stripping the skin of essential moisture. The gentle face wash leaves the skin feeling clean, soft, and comfortable.

In contrast, drier areas of the face often need richer, more hydrating products to help strengthen the skin barrier and maintain moisture.

A product line that would work well for drier areas is the Eucerin Immersive Hydration line. These products are clinically designed with formulas to help provide long-lasting moisture within surface layers of the skin. The product range includes moisturizers, night creams, and SPF lotions, and each product,formulated with Multi-Weight Hyaluronic Acid,helps keep the skin feeling hydrated.

Using different formulas in specific areas, rather than relying on a single product for the entire face, can help balance oiliness while still providing adequate hydration where it’s needed.

Sensitive skin refers to skin may have more negative reactions to certain external factors than normal skin, such as skincare products, temperature extremes, fabric textures, laundry detergents, environmental allergens, and more⁷. It's also possible to have a combination of oily skin and sensitive skin or dry skin and sensitive skin.

While the exact cause of sensitive skin isn’t known, theories suggest it’s due to a thin or weakened moisture barrier⁷. This can lead to moisture loss and increased susceptibility to environmental impact. Identifying triggers can be helpful in avoiding potentially uncomfortable skin reactions. Common triggers of sensitive skin include:

• Cleaning products containing harsh chemicals or fragrances such as fragranced laundry detergents, or soaps
• Certain cosmetic products Some skincare products such as scented lotions and cleansers
• Alcohol-containing products
• Solvents like nail polish remover
• Certain natural fabrics such as wool or man-made fibers such as polyester
• Stress
• Exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays
• Environmental pollutants
• Extreme temperature or humidity levels

Sensitive skin can also occur naturally as our bodies age, and may also be the result of certain skin conditions. If you’re concerned that your sensitive skin may have an underlying medical cause, be sure to contact a trusted healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.

If you have sensitive skin, it’s important to be gentle with your skin and choose skincare products that are appropriate for use on sensitive skin⁷. Look for phrases on the label like “gentle” and “fragrance-free”.

Here are some simple steps to help you determine your skin type⁸: 

• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup 
• Pat your skin dry with a soft towel 
• Do not apply any skincare products after washing 
• Wait and observe for an hour. This allows your skin to return to its natural state
• Look at your skin and assess how it feels and looks (pay attention to forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks) 

If your skin is unchanged compared to prior to washing, you likely have normal skin¹⁷. If you see shininess forming, you may have oily skin. If skin feels tight or rough, you may have dry skin. If skin feels uncomfortable or you notice signs of a negative reaction, you may have sensitive skin.

If you’re unsure about your skin type, we recommend speaking to a dermatologist for further advice.

Your skin type depends on factors such as how much water your skin holds¹⁸, how much oil it produces¹, and how sensitive it may be⁷. Each skin type has its own characteristics and may benefit from different approaches to skincare, but no matter what your skin type is, there are some common skincare tips you can follow to keep your skin looking healthy:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, even when it's cloudy, to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. For oily skin type, be sure to choose an appropriate sunscreen for oily skin.
• Take other sun protection measures like avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours of the day, and wearing protective clothing like a hat and sunglasses.
• Moisturize daily
• Wash your skin gently and remove makeup before bed
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Don't smoke¹⁹

Eucerin has an assortment of product ranges catering to different skin types and concerns to help your skin look and feel its best.

Explore all Eucerin skincare products.

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to: 

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin 
   
2. Improve the appearance of the skin 
   
3. Achieve healthier-looking skin