What's Your Skin Type?
Knowing your skin type is the first step towards your ideal skin care routine. The traits of the four most common skin types - dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and normal - are listed below, along with some help if you're still not sure. Which skin do you have to care for? Let's find out!
Once you've figured out which skin type you are, head over to the shop to order the products are right for you and your skincare routine.
Dry Skin Attributes
- Rough or papery texture
- Feels tight and looks thin
- Small pores
- Absorbs moisture quickly
- Minimal oil production*
Dry or alipidic skin does not produce enough sebum (oil) to protect it from environmental pollutants and the signs of aging. This skin is often sensitive as the acid mantle – the natural barrier between your skin and the outside world – is weakened. Look for skin care products known as occlusives, which are thick moisturizers that protect the acid mantle and to develop a healthy balance between skin and oil.
Try our Petal Purity Facial Cleanser followed by Rosehip Oil Moisturizing Serum or Today Serum before bed and follow up with Rosey Cheeks Facial Cream after you brush your teeth in the morning. If you’re a morning shower person, you can skip the evening cleanse. But always remove makeup!
*See note under Oily Skin
Dry vs. Dehydrated
Dehydrated skin is lacking in water instead of oil, and can affect all skin types. Dehydrated skin can look thin or flaky, and can feel like a bit like tissue paper to the touch.
Dehydration of the skin can be caused by internal factors such as caffeine, alcohol, and medications as well as external factors such as sun exposure, temperatures, harsh products, or over-exfoliation.
Drink plenty of water or herbal teas and moisturize regularly.
Oily Skin Attributes
- Excessive oil production*
- Pores are large
- Prone to blemishes
- Can look sallow and thick
Oily or lipidic skin needs a balanced regime of moisturizer and cleanser. Too much cleansing will strip the acid mantle that protects skin from environmental pollutants that lead to irritation, but too little will lead to breakouts and speed up the signs of aging.
Too little moisture will cause skin to continue to overproduce oil, while a thick moisturizer may not entirely absorb into your skin. Exfoliate regularly to remove acne-causing dead skin cells that can become trapped in the pores.
The good news is that oily skin is slow to show the signs of aging!
Try our Sweet Orange Gel Cleanser – gentle enough to use daily – followed by Orange Blossom Facial Toner and Orange Blossom Facial Cream, both designed specifically for oily skin.
*Excess oil production can also, confusingly, be a sign of dry skin. This happens if the skin has been dry long enough that the body overcompensates in oil production. If astringent products irritate your skin rather than combat oil, you likely have dry skin.
Sensitive Skin Attributes
- Fragile, red, and appears thin
- Flushes red easily and it’s common to have conditions that cause redness such as rosacea
- Especially common in descendants of Northern Europeans
Sensitive skin is more common thanks to our society’s stressful idea of "normal", but it's also caused by harsh weather, sun exposure, environmental pollutants, and genetics. It is fussy, but not impossible to pamper.
Exfoliate sparingly, and you may find that gently removing cleanser with a washcloth is enough. Read skin care product labels carefully, avoiding anything astringent (products that talk about tightening your skin), products with added scents, and deep cleansing masks. Stop using products immediately if there are any signs of irritation.
Try our Petal Purity Facial Cleanser, which is cream-based so does not suds up and strip skin of moisture. Follow with Rosey Cheeks Facial Cream. If you’re interested in a moisture-boosting serum like our Argan Oil Moisturizing Serum use that in place of a cream moisturizer as using both may overwhelm your skin.
Combination Skin Attributes
- Parts of the face can be oily while others are normal or dry
- T-zone and chin are often the oiliest parts of the face
- Pores are more obvious outside the T-zone
- Skin around the edges of the face can be flaky and dehydrated
With a little tender loving care, it is possible to tame combination skin! The key to balancing the oil and dryness is with gentle cleansers and regular exfoliating, to remove dead skin cells and combat acne. Regular exfoliating could mean anywhere from daily to weekly, so let your skin decide. And remember: water-based products are ideal.
Try our Petal Purity Exfoliating Facial Cleanser followed by our gently astringent Rose Dew Facial Toner and a generous application of Rosey Cheeks Facial Cream.
Normal Skin Attributes
- Usually blemish-free
- Matte or glowy appearance, but not shiny
- Pores are normal size, noticeable around the T-zone
Normal skin can fluctuate between all the skin types, but won’t differ so radically or for extended periods of time. While it is the ideal skin type, it still requires regular care to keep skin and oil production in healthy unity.
Try our Petal Purity Facial Cleanser followed by Rosey Cheeks Facial Cream. Boost your skin’s glow by adding a few drops of Argan Oil Moisturizing Serum to your facial cream application.
My skin doesn’t fit any of these categories
Don't worry, that’s not unheard of. The theme that links all skin types together is balance. Be open to the idea of trying different routines and products, and keep track of what your skin likes and doesn't like.
If you find something that works, stick with it even if you’re tempted to try something else - regularly changing your routine may not be doing your skin any favours.