How do I know my skin type?

Oct 13, 2013

Naomi L.

I'm not sure what my skin type is & I'd like to try using foundation but don't really know how that stuff works. lol any help?

Oct 13, 2013

Brittany F.

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser or simply soap and water then pat dry with a face towel, never rub. This will give your skin a fresh start so you can accurately depict your natural skin type without the effect of oils and dirt you pick up throughout the day. Give your skin about an hour or so. Then your skin should return to its natural state, don't do any super heinous activity durning this time that will affect it. Lightly go over your face with a tissue. Now you'll have your skin at its natural state- it's one of these four.


Normal skin shows neither oil nor flaking skin. It should feel smooth and nice.

Oily skin is determined by the grease on the tissue we used earlier, if there's quite a bit this is probably your skin type. You probably look shiny often and may even have larger pores that are clogged with your natural oils.

Dry skin may feel taut or show flakes and dry or rough patches. It is usually quite rough.

Combination skin is pretty likely. It is basically all three of the above skin types. Usually, the skin is oily in the T-zone and normal to dry everywhere else.

When looking around for foundations and face products, recognize what problems your skin might have. The two typical problems you might face are-


Sensitive skin where your face reacts easily to anything you apply on it. Your face will get red, itchy, or a rash could form. Though keep in mind this might not be with all products depending on what level of sensitivity you have


Acne-Prone skin, where your skin may tend to break out in pimples quite easily. If you do have this you can try some face products meant for clearing skin, or simply stick to water based face makeup as it won't irritate or clog the pores.

Oct 13, 2013

Yolande P.

If your skin is flakey maybe its dry if its all greasey and oily you obviously have oily skin if you have both you have combination but if it does none of that and is well moisturised but not over oily its just normal.If you burn easily try a foundation with spf but please don't start using foundation if you have perfectly fine skin.I suggest a bb cream,tinted moisturiser or just a powder if you don't need much coverage and a liquid/mouse with medium to full buildable coverage if you have flaws you want full coverage. If you have oily skin and would like the foundation to last for a while use a primer. If you have dry skin use a moisturising primer or just a moisturiser. Remember even if you have oily skin you must moisturise but still use a primer.Hope I helped.

Oct 13, 2013

Elizabeth S.

Oily- tend to have shine especially in your T zone
Normal- regular skin the occasional break out a now and then and not so shiny
Dry-flaky needs moisturizer
Combination- acne prone and oily

Oct 13, 2013

Yolande P.

And I agree with Brittany also wash off foundation well before going to bed to avoid pores blocking from foundation because it causes break outs.