Sometimes the problem isn’t that your skincare products are bad.
You may simply be using products meant for a different skin type.
Your face feels shiny in some places, dry in others, and you’re left wondering what is actually going on.
Understanding your skin type is a useful starting point.
Oily skin
If your face tends to become shiny relatively quickly, particularly around your forehead, nose and cheeks, you may have oily skin.
You may also notice enlarged-looking pores, blackheads or frequent breakouts.
That doesn’t mean you need to use the harshest cleanser you can find.
Look for products that remove excess oil without leaving your skin feeling stripped.
Dry skin
Dry skin can feel tight, rough or uncomfortable, particularly after cleansing.
You may notice flaky patches or that your skin becomes uncomfortable in cold weather.
If this sounds familiar, very strong cleansers and frequent exfoliation may make things worse.
A gentle cleanser and moisturiser designed to support the skin barrier may be more appropriate.
Combination skin
This is where things get interesting.
You may have an oily forehead and nose but relatively dry cheeks.
So when you use a product designed for very oily skin everywhere, your cheeks become uncomfortable while your T-zone is still shiny.
Combination skin often benefits from a balanced routine rather than trying to completely remove oil from the entire face.
Your skin can change
Your skin type isn’t necessarily fixed forever.
Hormonal changes, weather, stress, age, medication and even changes in your skincare routine can affect how your skin behaves.
You might notice more oil during warmer months and more dryness during colder weather.
That’s normal.
It also means you don’t necessarily have to use exactly the same products all year.
Don’t diagnose your skin based on one day
If you wake up with an oily face one morning, that doesn’t automatically mean you have oily skin.
Likewise, one dry patch doesn’t necessarily mean you have dry skin.
Look at the pattern over time.
How does your skin normally feel a few hours after cleansing?
Does it become shiny?
Does it feel tight?
Are some areas oily while others feel dry?
Those clues are more useful.
And if you’re dealing with persistent acne, irritation, severe dryness or another skin concern, a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist can help.
The bottom line
Knowing your skin type isn’t about putting yourself into a permanent category.
It’s about understanding what your skin seems to need so you can stop buying products simply because they’re popular.
Because sometimes the best skincare change isn’t adding another serum.
It’s finally understanding your own skin.
