How to Determine Your Skin Type to Create the Ideal Skincare Routine

A good skincare routine is key to preventing breakouts, keeping wrinkles at bay, shielding yourself from harmful UV rays, and simply keeping your face smooth and hydrated. But all skincare products aren’t interchangeable — and they’re certainly not for everyone. That’s where your skin type comes in: understanding the type of skin you have helps you to understand your skin’s individual needs, and perhaps more importantly, helps you to avoid using products that may irritate your skin. 

We spoke to Eryssa Fisher, founder of Wydler Esthetics in Los Angeles and an esthetician with more than nine years of experience, about how to determine your skin type. “While your skin type is generally determined by genetics, there are specific ways to care for each type,” Fisher told us.

The Importance of Understanding Your Skin Type 

The skin is the body’s largest organ, and its primary purpose is to create a barrier that protects our bodies from the outside world. “Understanding which products help support the skin’s natural microbiome is important,” she explains. The skin’s microbiome is the layer of beneficial bacteria and diverse microorganisms that live on the skin’s surface. Because the microbiome is essential for both skin health and bodily heath, understanding which products help to support it is key. “It’s so important to understand your skin type so that you can use the correct products to support it and bring it back into a balanced state,”

Read on to learn the differences between oily, dry, combination, and mature skin, and learn how to use clean beauty products like those from f.a.e. by Thrive Market to build the perfect skincare routine for you.

Guide to Skin Types 

“Oily skin typically has larger or more visible pores as well as excess of sebum [the substance produced in the sebaceous glands] and oil production all over,” Fisher explains. While some oil is good for keeping skin looking hydrated and healthy, too much oil can clog pores, cause breakouts, and just look a bit greasier than you might prefer. 

Common signs of oily skin:

Breakouts, clogged pores, shiny areas on the face (particularly in the T-zone across the nose and forehead) 

Skincare routine for oily skin: 

You’ll want to focus on decreasing oil while treating your skin with nourishing ingredients, which means focusing on deep cleansing and light moisturizing. While many people think they should avoid oils if they have oily skin, this isn’t the case; lighter facial oils can be very beneficial as long as they’re not comedogenic, as this could clog your pores. 

• Gentle gel cleanser. Gel cleansers are the best cleansers for oily skin, as they remove oil and shine without overdrying oily skin.
  Try: Andalou Naturals Citrus Kombucha Cleansing Gel 
• Toner.  A clarifying toner removes any oil the cleanser leaves behind. 
  Try: Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner
• Vitamin C or peptide serum. A serum targeting oily skin will help to brighten and prevent breakouts by controlling oil production.
  Try: Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum 
• Lightweight moisturizer or facial oil. “People with oily skin can use oils, just make sure they are noncomedogenic,” Fisher says. You’ll likely also want to avoid heavy creams or oils, as these can be too much on oily skin.
  Try: f.a.e. by Thrive Market Organic Rosehip Oil 
• SPF. Prevent UV damage by using a zinc oxide-based mineral sunscreen every morning and throughout the day.
  Try: f.a.e. by Thrive Market Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
• Clay mask. Clay masks detoxify the skin by drawing out oil and impurities. “Use this two times per week in the evening,” Fisher recommends.
  Try: f.a.e. By Thrive Market Bentonite Clay 

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Dry skin types usually feel tight, without much shine from oil, and you might notice flaking or peeling during cold winter months. “Dry skin typically happens from a lack of oil production, or from the barrier of the skin being compromised,” Fisher explains. While many use dry and dehydrated interchangeably when describing skin, dry skin is a skin type that simply doesn’t produce as much oil as other types, while dehydrated skin is a temporary condition that happens because of this barrier damage (it can typically be reversed by simply upping your water intake and using hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides). 

Common signs of dry skin:

Tight, itchy feeling, infrequent breakouts, dull complexion

Skincare routine for dry skin: 

“Dry skin requires more hydrating products and milder exfoliation,” Fisher says. To care for dry skin, you’ll want to minimize the use of harsh products and hot water that will dry out the skin even more. You’ll also want to work to maintain your moisture barrier by limiting the use of harsh acids and exfoliants, as your moisture barrier is what helps to hold moisture inside the skin.

• Cream or oil cleanser: Some cleansers can strip dry skin of its natural oils, so stick with cream or oil-based cleansers.
  Try: Trilogy Rosehip Cream Cleanser
• Toner. Gently remove any excess makeup or oil with a mild toner.
  Try: Cocokind Organic Rosewater Facial Toner
• Hydrating serum. Fisher recommends “anything with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, or aloe” to nourish dry skin.
  Try: MyChelle Ultra Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum
• Cream moisturizer. Again, look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, or soothing aloe in a rich, creamy consistency.
  Try: Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
• Oil: A thicker oil is the best oil for dry skin because it offers maximum nourishment and protection. After applying your moisturizer, rub a few drops between your palms and pat it all over the face.
  Try: f.a.e. by Thrive Market Vitamin E Oil
• SPF: Dry skin can look even drier when you spend too much time in the sun (not to mention the more dangerous UV damage), so be sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen.
  Try: f.a.e. by Thrive Market Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen
• Moisturizing mask: To combat dryness over time, incorporate a twice-weekly moisturizing mask into your routine. Look for masks with hydrating, moisturizing ingredients.
  Try: Andalou Organics Instant Hydration Facial Sheet Mask or Dr. Hauschka Hydrating Cream Mask
• Exfoliant: Once or twice a week, exfoliate with a gentle chemical exfoliant like lactic acid or glycolic acid to remove dull, built-up skin cells that often come along with dry skin. (Just be cautious not to over-exfoliate, as this could damage your moisture barrier and make skin drier.)
  Try: Moon Juice Acid Potion

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Combination skin is just that: a combination of dry and oily. You may notice oily patches along the T-zone, while the cheeks may feel tight and dry. You don’t need to treat each area differently, but rather find a more versatile skincare routine that can accommodate both types of skin. 

Common signs of combination skin:

A visible difference in different areas of the face (such as tightness and flaking in one area, while another area is oily and shiny)

Skincare routine for combination skin: 

You’ll want to look for universally beneficial ingredients that don’t stray too far toward mattifying or hydrating; think products that are gentle, minimal, and straightforward. If you notice certain areas becoming particularly dry or particularly oily, you may spot treat those areas with things like clay masks to absorb oil or hydrating creams on dry patches.

• Gel cleanser. Morning and night, cleanse skin thoroughly with a gentle gel cleanser.
  Try: Andalou Naturals Citrus Kombucha Cleansing Gel
• Toner. As needed, tone the skin with an alcohol-free toner like witch hazel.
  Try: Thayer’s Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner, Unscented
• Multipurpose serum. Fisher recommends a serum with ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and/or hyaluronic acid.
  Try: Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum
• Moisturizer.  A lightweight moisturizer is typically enough for combination skin, though you may want to switch to a cream if you’re feeling particularly dry.
  Try: Moon Juice Cosmic Cream 
• Oil. Argan oil is recommended for combination skin because it’s great for all skin types. It’s also packed with antioxidants and fatty acids, and it hydrates the skin without clogging pores. 
  Try: f.a.e. By Thrive Market Organic Argan Oil 
• SPF. The final step is always SPF; Fisher recommends choosing a zinc-based mineral sunscreen that’s also reef safe.
  Try: f.a.e. by Thrive Market Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen
• Masks. “Multi-masking is fun for combo skin,” Fisher says. “Try a clay or glycolic mask in the oily areas to reduce congestion, and then a hydrating mask in the dry areas.”
  Try: f.a.e. By Thrive Market Bentonite Clay or Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask

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“Similar to dry skin, mature skin sometimes needs more hydration and sometimes more exfoliation,” Fisher explains. “This is because as we age, our cell turnover slows down.” While aging is a natural process, there are ways to minimize signs of damage and keep aging skin feeling nourished and healthy. 

Common signs of mature skin:

Fine lines and/or wrinkles, dullness, sun damage

Skincare routine for mature/aging skin: 

• Oil cleanser. As needed, cleanse with a gentle, oil-based cleanser to avoid drying out the skin.
  Try: Province Apothecary Moisturizing Oil Cleanser & Make Up Remover
• Toner or rose water. Spritz skin with rose water for extra cleansing and hydration. 
  Try: Cocokind Organic Rosewater Facial Toner
• Antioxidant and hyaluronic acid serum. In the mornings, add an antioxidant serum with hydrating hyaluronic acid to protect skin from environmental pollutants.
  Try: MyChelle Ultra Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum
• Retinol (or retinol alternative). In the evenings, Fisher recommends incorporating a retinol for mature skin, as it helps to promote cell turnover and reduce signs of aging.
  Try: Andalou Naturals Age Defying Rejuvenating Plant-Based Retinol Alternative Serum
• Oil. Lock everything in with a deeply hydrating oil, like rosehip oil.
  Try: f.a.e. by Thrive Market Organic Rosehip Oil 
• SPF. Don’t forget your SPF, as this is the key ingredient for preventing signs of aging.
  Try: f.a.e. by Thrive Market Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen
• Exfoliant. “Once or twice per week, use a gentle exfoliant like  lactic acid or glycolic acid,” Fisher recommends. “Only layer these with a retinol if your skin can handle it, though—it’s super important to not overdry the skin.”
  Try: Mad Hippie AHA Exfoliating Peel