Oily, Dry, Or Combination Skin? Here’s How To Find Your Skin Type

Your skin is unique. There’s no one in the world with the exact same skin as you. You might see changes based on stress levels, hormone fluctuations, diet, sleep and even weather.

But ultimately, when it comes to taking care of our skin, you are likely to fall into one of the 3 main skin types; dry skin, oily skin, and normal/combination skin.

Knowing which skin type you have helps you understand the best ingredients, products and skincare routine for your skin. Other issues, like acne and sensitivity, are conditions that can happen to all skin types, but they tend to come and go.

How To Know What Skin Type You Have

Now you know that there are different skin types, you might be asking yourself - but how do I know what type I am? Well, we’re here to help. Start by washing your face, gently pat it dry and sit without applying any products for 30 minutes. Once the 30 minutes are up, take note of how it feels, take a look at all the areas of your face, and use our handy guide as you look for the signs.

How To Know If You Have Dry Skin

You’ll notice that you have dry skin if your skin starts to feel tight, dry, even rough. It will feel like it’s craving moisture, and when you do apply moisturiser, it will feel like it’s absorbed super quickly.

Dry skin will look flaky and a little dull. Most likely, you won’t see any oily spots or pores, but you’ll be able to see creases and fine lines.

So, what causes dry skin? There are many factors that can influence it. Ageing, hormones and external triggers can all explain why your skin feels dry, but external triggers like the weather, cold, and wind can also be contributing factors - that’s why it’s important to follow a deeply nourishing winter skincare routine if you tend to have dry skin. Irritants in harsh soaps and cosmetics could also be causing your skin to dry up, so we always recommend opting for skin-loving, gentle products free from harsh ingredients.

When suffering from dry skin, it’s a good idea to bet on naturally hydrating ingredients like Coconut Water, Aloe Vera, and RAWW’s super-hydrating Superfood blend Wildberry Harvest™. Look at incorporating a hydrating serum and rich oil into your routine, and of course, moisturise with a hydrating moisturiser.

Do You Have Dry Or Sensitive Skin?

Dry skin and sensitive skin can feel pretty similar - they can both feel tight, rough, and uncomfortable. Sensitive skin isn’t necessarily a permanent skin type, but rather a temporary condition that can be soothed by using the right combination of hydrating and gentle skincare. Typically, sensitive skin tends to be thin and have red patches around the nose, cheeks, chin and neck.

If this sounds like you, it’s a good idea to prioritise moisturising skincare to build its protective barrier back up. At RAWW, all of our products are made with a range of super clean ingredients, which work well for sensitive skin. They are free from harsh chemicals which can inflame sensitive skin and make it overreact.

How To Know If You Have Oily Skin

Oily skin usually looks shiny around the forehead, nose and chin. You might notice blackheads, blemishes or areas of congestion and you may find that your foundation doesn't last long on your skin. You might find it greasy to touch and you’re unlikely to see visible fine lines.

What causes oily skin? There are lots of things that could be causing your skin to feel oily. Hormones, stress and diet can all contribute to oily skin. It could also be caused by external triggers like humidity or pollution, or simply be down to genetics.

Don’t despair, there are lots of skincare products suitable for oily skin out there, and you can adapt your skincare routine to make sure you’re still nourishing your skin without making it too oily. Make sure you are using a gentle cleanser to remove excess oils on your face and ensure your skin is squeaky clean before applying the rest of your skincare. RAWW’s Purify-ME Gentle Cleanser skin-loving Superfood ingredients will work deep into the skin's pores to remove makeup, excess oil and dirt, without stripping or drying the skin.

How To Know If You Have Normal Or Combination Skin

Combination skin, also known as “normal skin”, like the name suggests, means that you’ll have a mix of dry and oily skin symptoms. You might find it feels greasy in some areas and flaky in others. In most cases, you might notice a shine across your T-zone (your forehead, nose, and chin) but find you have dry patches on other areas like your cheeks.

Combination skin is a very common skin type. It can be down to genetics or sometimes just down to not using the correct skincare in the right areas! If you have a combination skin type, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the right natural skincare products on each area to combat your symptoms.

The best way to deal with combination skin is to mix and match products! That can mean applying a rich moisturiser on dry areas, and a light moisturiser on oily areas.

Face oils and serums are great for normal and combination skin types. A face oil like the Day Warrior Light Facial Oil contains both nourishing and anti-inflammatory ingredients that protect the skin against external aggressors.

Beauty Done Your Way

Whatever your skin type, it’s important to choose natural and skin-loving skincare and makeup to make sure you're giving your skin the very best. Shop our range of natural skincare today and make sure you’re giving your skin everything it needs to thrive.

Need more help determining your skin type and the right products for you? Reach out to us on Instagram, Facebook or email hello@rawwcosmetics.com
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