Why Knowing Your Skin Type Is So Important

Before you grab that trending serum or switch up your moisturizer, take a beat.

Your skin type determines:

• Which products will help your skin
• Which products will hurt your skin
• How your skin responds to hydration, exfoliation, and actives

In short? Skin type = your skincare GPS.

Without it, you’re just wandering the skincare aisle hoping something sticks. With it? You’re in control—and that is where the magic happens.

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The Skin Type Test You Can Do at Home (No Fancy Tools Needed)

This test is straight from my skincare guide—and it’s as easy as washing your face (literally). 

Here’s what to do:

1. Cleanse gently.

Use a mild cleanser with no actives, or even better, just rinse with water or do a honey cleanse.

• No oil cleansing
• No foaming/drying cleansers

2. Stop there.

Don’t tone, moisturize, serum, nothing. Just leave your face alone.

3. Wait 2 hours.

Let your skin do its thing.

4. Assess:

• Tight, dry, or rough? → Dry skin
• Shiny with visible pores? → Oily skin
• Some oily areas, some dry? → Combination skin
• Red, irritated, or inflamed? → Sensitive skin
• Feels calm, balanced, dewy? → Normal skin

Seriously, that’s it. Your skin will tell you exactly what’s up when you give it space.

A Quick Breakdown of Skin Types (With Real Signs to Look For)

Here’s what each skin type really looks like—without the vague fluff:

Dry Skin

• Feels tight, especially in the morning
• Rough or flaky patches
• Often itchy or dull-looking
• Needs oil-rich products and barrier support

Oily Skin

• Shiny appearance (especially in the T-zone)
• Feels slick to the touch
• Enlarged pores + prone to blackheads or breakouts
• Needs lightweight, balancing hydration, not stripping

Combination Skin

• Oily in some areas (T-zone), dry in others (cheeks)
• Pores may be enlarged around the nose
• Often feels confusing—some products help, others make things worse
• Needs strategic layering and targeted hydration

Sensitive Skin

• Easily irritated by products, temperature, or stress
• Redness, blotchiness, or stinging
• Often overlaps with other skin types (dry, oily, etc.)
• Needs minimal, calming, fragrance-free products

Dehydrated Skin (Bonus Tip!)

• Not a skin type, but a condition that can affect any skin type
• Skin feels tight but looks oily? That’s dehydration!
• Needs hydration (water) + barrier repair
• Avoid over-cleansing and over-exfoliating

Normal Skin

• Feels balanced, soft, and happy
• No major issues or sensitivities
• Still needs gentle care to maintain its glow (don’t skip your routine just because it’s chill!)

What If You’re Still Not Sure?

Real talk: skin can shift. Hormones, weather, stress, and diet all affect it. So if your skin feels like a moving target, you’re not crazy.

Some clues to help:

• Breakouts + flakes? → You might be dry and acne-prone (see my other post for this).
• Oily and red? → You could be sensitive and dehydrated.
• Mostly calm, but reactive to actives? → You’re probably closer to sensitive or combo.

If your skin feels like it doesn’t “fit” in one box—that’s normal! Skin is dynamic. The goal is to observe, not obsess.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Overthink It

Determining your skin type isn’t about putting yourself in a rigid box—it’s about learning to listen to your skin.

And once you know what you’re working with? You’ll stop wasting time (and money) on stuff that isn’t made for you, and finally start seeing the results you deserve.

So go do your no-product test. Let your skin speak. Then come back here for the products and routines that match your type perfectly.

P.S. Need help picking the right products after you find your skin type?

That’s what my Root Cause Radiance course is for. It’s not just about glowing skin—it’s about healing it from the inside out, with routines and recommendations tailored to YOUR unique skin.

Click here to learn more + get started ➝

Rooting for you always,

Ally