Skin Type Test: Determine if You Have Oily, Dry, or Combination Skin

Good skin has three key traits: smooth texture, even tone, and proper hydration.

Research shows clear, healthy skin makes you look younger and more vibrant. It's not just vanity—it's a reflection of your overall wellness.

Normal Skin

Balanced oil production with smooth texture and fine pores.

Signs: Not too oily or dry · Minimal blemishes · Barely visible pores

Dry Skin

Produces less natural oils, leading to tightness and rough texture.

Signs: Feels tight · Flaking · Fine lines more visible · Dullness

Oily Skin

Overactive sebaceous glands create a shiny, greasy appearance.

Signs: Shiny surface · Enlarged pores · Prone to acne · Makeup slides off

Combination Skin

Mix of oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) with normal to dry cheeks.

Signs: Oily T-zone · Larger pores on nose · Dry cheeks · Varying texture

Sensitive Skin

Easily irritated by products, environment, or stress.

Signs: Redness · Itching or burning · Prone to rashes · Reacts to products

Oily Skin Characteristics

Oily skin is characterized by overactive sebaceous glands that produce excess oil (sebum) throughout the day. People with oily skin often struggle with enlarged pores, acne, and a shiny complexion, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin).

• • Appearance: Shiny, greasy surface within hours of cleansing
• • Pores: Visibly enlarged, especially on nose and cheeks
• • Common issues: Acne, blackheads, makeup doesn't last
• • Best for: Gel cleansers, oil-free moisturizers, salicylic acid

Dry Skin Characteristics

Dry skin produces insufficient natural oils, leading to a tight, uncomfortable feeling. Dry skin is more prone to flaking, fine lines, and sensitivity. It can feel rough to the touch and may appear dull or lackluster.

• • Appearance: Dull, rough texture, visible flaking
• • Feeling: Tight, especially after cleansing or in dry weather
• • Common issues: Fine lines more visible, itchiness, red patches
• • Best for: Cream cleansers, hyaluronic acid, rich moisturizers

Combination Skin: The Best (and Worst) of Both Worlds

Combination skin is exactly what it sounds like—a mix of oily and dry areas. Most commonly, combination skin features an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) while the cheeks remain normal to dry. This is actually the most common skin type.

• • Oily areas: T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) with enlarged pores
• • Dry areas: Cheeks, jawline, may feel tight
• • Challenge: Different areas need different products
• • Best for: Gentle products, multi-masking, lightweight moisturizer

How to Determine Your Skin Type at Home

Try the "bare face test": Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat dry, and don't apply any products. Wait 30 minutes and observe:

• • Oily skin: Shiny all over, especially T-zone
• • Dry skin: Feels tight, may look flaky
• • Combination skin: Shiny T-zone but normal/dry cheeks
• • Normal skin: Comfortable, not oily or dry

Better option: Use our AI-powered skin type test above for instant, accurate results based on facial image analysis.

Clarity

How clear and blemish-free your skin appears.

Improve it: Consistent cleansing · Gentle exfoliation · Balanced diet · Adequate sleep

Smoothness

Evaluates texture, fine lines, and rough patches.

Improve it: Daily SPF 30+ · Retinoids · Vitamin C · Regular moisturizing

Evenness

How uniform your skin tone is across your face.

Improve it: Sunscreen · Vitamin C serum · Niacinamide · Avoid picking skin

Hydration

Water content in your skin. Well-hydrated skin looks plump and supple.

Improve it: Hyaluronic acid moisturizer · Drink 8 glasses water daily · Use humidifier

Pore Quality

Size and appearance of pores. Smaller pores create smoother-looking skin.

Improve it: Regular cleansing · Salicylic acid · Retinoids · Niacinamide

What is my skin type?

To determine your skin type, take our free skin type test by uploading a clear photo above. Our AI analyzer will identify if you have oily skin, dry skin, combination skin, normal skin, or sensitive skin. The five main skin types are characterized by oil production, texture, and common concerns like acne or dryness.

How to determine skin type at home?

The bare face test is the simplest way to determine your skin type at home. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat dry, and wait 30 minutes without applying any products. If your skin feels shiny all over, you have oily skin. If it feels tight and uncomfortable, you have dry skin. If your T-zone is shiny but cheeks are normal or dry, you have combination skin. For the most accurate results, use our AI-powered skin type test above.

What is the difference between oily skin and combination skin?

Oily skin produces excess oil (sebum) across the entire face, resulting in a shiny appearance, enlarged pores, and frequent breakouts everywhere. Combination skin, on the other hand, features an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) while the cheeks and other areas remain normal to dry. Combination skin is the most common skin type and requires a balanced approach—treating the oily areas without over-drying the normal/dry areas.

What is the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin?

Dry skin is a skin type caused by insufficient oil (sebum) production, making it feel tight, rough, and prone to flaking. Dehydrated skin is a temporary skin condition caused by lack of water (not oil), which can affect any skin type—even oily skin can be dehydrated. Dehydrated skin feels tight but may still produce oil, while dry skin lacks oil production entirely. Use water-based products for dehydrated skin and oil-based products for dry skin.

Is the skin type quiz accurate?

Our AI-powered skin type test analyzes your facial image to identify key indicators like oil production, pore size, texture, and skin tone. While no online skin type quiz can replace a professional dermatologist consultation, our advanced algorithm provides highly accurate results by examining multiple skin characteristics simultaneously. For best results, upload a clear, front-facing photo in natural lighting without makeup.

Can my skin type change over time?

Yes, your skin type can change due to age, hormones, climate, lifestyle, and health conditions. Many people with oily skin notice their skin becomes drier with age as sebum production naturally decreases. Hormonal changes (puberty, pregnancy, menopause) significantly impact skin type. Climate also plays a role—dry climates can make oily skin more combination-like, while humid climates can increase oiliness. Take our skin type test periodically to track changes and adjust your skincare routine accordingly.

What is the best skincare routine for my skin type?

The best skincare routine depends on your specific skin type. For oily skin: use gel cleansers, salicylic acid, oil-free moisturizers, and mattifying products. For dry skin: use cream cleansers, hyaluronic acid, rich moisturizers, and avoid harsh exfoliants. For combination skin: use gentle products, multi-mask different areas, and choose lightweight moisturizers. All skin types benefit from daily SPF 30+ sunscreen, consistent cleansing, and adequate hydration. Take our skin type test to get personalized product recommendations.

What causes oily skin?

Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands that produce excess sebum (oil). Common causes include genetics (if your parents have oily skin, you're more likely to as well), hormones (puberty, menstruation, pregnancy increase oil production), stress (raises cortisol levels), hot and humid climates, and using the wrong skincare products (over-cleansing can trigger more oil production). While you can't change your genetics, you can manage oily skin with the right skincare routine and products.