What is Your Skin Type – Normal, Oily, Dry, Combination?

There are four different skin types. They are normal, oily, dry and combination. Skin types vary from person to person, and it’s important to know what skin type you have to ensure that you’re able to best look after your skin and avoid causing any damage to your skin barrier. 

Below, we break down each of these skin concerns to help you uncover what skin you have and to learn more about your skin.

Normal Skin

Having ‘normal’ skin indicates that your skin is balanced. You may still experience in the afternoons or on hotter days that your forehead, nose and chin become quite oily. Still, generally speaking, your skin is never considerably oily or dry. 

Signs of having normal skin include great blood circulation, small pores, minimal blemishes and smooth skin texture. You’re either thinking, “that’s my skin!” or “this sounds like a dream”, but don’t be fooled; those with normal skin are not immune to problematic skin concerns (although they are less likely to experience them, we envy normal skin havers). 

Oily Skin

Having oily skin means that your pores naturally overproduce sebum. This skin type is most commonly passed down through genetics, although it can also be a product of hormonal imbalance, stress, poor diet, or products and medications. 

Oily skin havers are likely to experience blackheads, whiteheads, acne, enlarged pores, thick, shiny and pale skin. 

There’s a common misconception that people with oily skin don’t have to look after their skin as comprehensively as other skin types due to the ‘natural hydration’ received from their enhanced oil prediction. This is false! We highly recommend oily skins cleanse twice daily with a foam cleanser and moisturise after cleansing. Moisturising will help to prevent your glands from overproducing oil.

Dry Skin

Dry skin is described as people who produce less oil than those with normal skin. This is a skin type that generally becomes more severe with age as less and less oils are produced naturally. Winter is also the worst time for dry skin due to less humidity and heating. It is a condition most commonly experienced by women, specifically due to menopause and hormonal changes. 

If you have dry skin, it’s highly likely that you experience rough skin texture, itchiness, flaky patches and tightness when you wake up. 

Combination Skin

Having combination skin means you have a mixture of the above skin types. Most often, those with combination skin will experience an oily t-zone, with the surrounding facial skin being normal, dehydrated or dry. In most cases, combination skin comes from genetics, although some Individuals may experience this due to an incorrect routine or using incorrect products for their skin.

Combination skin can be more difficult to treat due to working with different skin types. We recommend speaking with your Clinician for the best advice on how to treat your concerns. 

Get the Right Advice

In an industry so saturated with misinformation, ‘skin hacks’, TikTok, ‘influencers’ and product and treatment recommendations, we encourage everyone to seek the advice of professional skin experts to ensure that you achieve healthy skin without causing any damage to your skin barrier. At Skin Clinic Blyss our team consists of expert skin therapists including dermal clinicians, dermal therapists and registered nurse.) 

Our Skin Consultations are the perfect appointment to book if you’re wanting to start your journey to glowing, healthy skin. Book a Skin Consultation today and receive a comprehensive analysis and breakdown of your skin as well as a skincare plan with recommended products and treatments. You can always chat with our team on (02) 9664 8011.