What is a skin type?
A skin type encompasses individual characteristics determining responses to environment, cosmetics and hormonal changes. It mainly depends on three parameters: sebum production, hydration level and sensitivity to external stressors (cold, sun, pollution, irritating ingredients).
Skin is usually classified as oily, dry, combination, normal or sensitive, but one person may have several characteristics or changes with seasons, age and lifestyle. For example, skin may be dry and sensitive, or normal throughout the year and oilier in summer with heat and humidity.
How can I identify my skin type?
Knowing your type adapts care and avoids worsening imbalances. Simple home observations, supplemented by professional assessment if necessary, already provide good guidance. Diagnosis in an aesthetic medicine consultation or skin assessment refines type and defines a truly personalised routine.
For simple self-assessment, observe in a mirror in daylight a few hours after cleansing, without make-up or cream, noting shine, tightness, redness and pores. Also consider sensations after washing: comfort, tightness, heat or persistent greasiness.
Signs of dry skin
- Frequent tightness after cleansing, discomfort, thin sensitive skin, sometimes small flakes or local redness.
- No shiny areas: no visible greasy film during the day.
Signs of combination skin
- A shinier T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), visible pores or some blackheads, while cheeks and temples remain normal to dry and sometimes slightly sensitive.
- A sense of excess sebum in the facial centre and tightness at the sides.
Signs of oily skin
- Widespread shine, particularly forehead, nose, chin and sometimes cheekbones, with enlarged pores.
- Blemish tendency (spots, blackheads) and a greasy film quickly returning after cleansing.
Signs of normal skin
- Generally comfortable, slightly oily skin, soft to touch without notable post-washing tightness.
- Fairly even complexion, barely visible pores, neither excessive shine nor very dry areas.
Normal skin
Normal skin is relatively rare in adulthood. It has optimal sebum-hydration balance, even grain, barely visible pores and a uniform, radiant complexion. It tolerates climatic changes and cosmetics well.
Biologically, the barrier is effective, the hydrolipidic film well formed and microcirculation balanced. Inflammation is rare and healing generally good.
Suitable care for normal skin
Even balanced normal skin needs rigorous maintenance. Cleansing should be gentle without stripping agents to preserve the hydrolipidic film. Daily hydration is essential even without tightness.
In aesthetic medicine, normal skin responds particularly well to ageing prevention. Superficial peels, cellular stimulation (collagen synthesis stimulators) and botulinum toxin to prevent static wrinkles may be judiciously offered within personalised, gradual care.
Caring for normal skin
For normal skin, the aim is preserving existing balance while protecting daily.
- Gentle, non-stripping morning and evening cleansing removes excess sebum, pollution and impurities without weakening the barrier.
- Weekly exfoliation removes dead cells, smooths grain and maintains radiance, provided a gentle scrub or enzyme exfoliant avoids irritation.
- Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen (UVA/UVB), even in cities, limits UV damage responsible for premature ageing, pigmentation spots and firmness loss.
- Avoiding harsh products (strong alcohol, irritating fragrances, highly stripping foaming cleansers) preserves balance and natural hydration.
Dry skin
Dry skin has insufficient sebum production. This lipid deficit impairs the barrier, increasing transepidermal water loss. Clinically, skin is thin, sometimes rough, with frequent tightness, particularly after cleansing.
Over time, dry skin tends to show ageing sooner. Wrinkles appear earlier, and skin may become dull, less elastic and more vulnerable to external stressors.
Suitable care for dry skin
Care relies on restoring the barrier. Favour rich formulations with biomimetic lipids, ceramides and humectants.
In aesthetic medicine, Skinboosters, mesotherapy or some gentle peels can significantly improve dry skin quality.
Caring for dry skin
Dry skin needs a routine focused on hydration and barrier repair. Regular morning and evening hydration with rich or lipid-replenishing textures limits tightness and discomfort.
Cream choice is essential: favour moisturising care strengthening the hydrolipidic film without stripping natural oils, avoiding overly foaming or alcohol-based cleansers. Adequate internal hydration through sufficient water throughout the day also supports overall hydration and repair functions.
Oily skin
Oily skin relates to excessive sebaceous gland production. It shows shine, enlarged pores and blemish tendency, particularly comedones and inflammatory lesions.
Contrary to common misconceptions, oily skin is not necessarily better protected from ageing. Although sebum may delay fine lines, chronic inflammation and repeated blemishes can impair long-term quality.
Medical and aesthetic care for oily skin
Care requires subtle balance: regulating sebum without stripping skin.
Superficial peels, non-ablative lasers and mesotherapy can improve quality and tighten pores.
Caring for oily skin
Oily skin needs consistent care to control excess sebum without damaging the barrier. Gentle cleansing twice daily removes excess and impurities, limiting blocked pores and blemishes.
Regular exfoliation once or twice weekly according to tolerance removes dead cells and clears pores, provided non-abrasive formulas avoid further sebum stimulation. Choose non-comedogenic, non-greasy moisturisers and sunscreens as gels, fluids or light emulsions to hydrate without overload.
During the day, blotting papers or targeted T-zone mattifying products limit shine and maintain evenness without repeated harsh cleansing that worsens imbalance.
Combination skin
Combination skin is probably most common. It combines an oily central T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) with normal or dry peripheral areas. This variety complicates care and requires tailoring.
Seasonal changes are often pronounced, with more summer shine and winter dryness.
Medical and aesthetic care for combination skin
Differentiating areas is key. Products must be gentle enough for dry areas while regulating T-zone sebum. Several complementary products may be necessary.
In aesthetic medicine practice, protocols can be adjusted area by area.
Caring for combination skin
Ideally use targeted products: light, regulating textures on shiny areas and more comfortable moisturising care on cheeks and tight areas.
A gentle, balancing cleanser morning and evening purifies without stripping, avoiding extra sebum stimulation or weakening dry areas. Exfoliation should remain moderate: once or twice weekly with a gentle product, focusing on the T-zone and avoiding dry areas to prevent redness or dehydration.
Sensitive and reactive skin
Sensitive skin is not strictly a type but a common condition affecting any type. It has excessive reactivity to temperature changes, cosmetics, stress or pollution.
Patients often describe burning, tingling, itching or redness. Pathophysiologically, the barrier is impaired and skin nerve fibres overactive.
Medical and aesthetic care for sensitive skin
Care mainly avoids triggers and restores the barrier. Products should be minimalist, with few well-tolerated ingredients.
Every aesthetic medical procedure must follow rigorous assessment.
Caring for sensitive skin
Sensitive skin needs particularly gentle, cautious care to limit irritation or discomfort. Before a new product, test a small area (behind the ear or elbow crease, for example) for a few days to check for redness, tingling or burning.
Choose specifically developed sensitive-skin formulas, fragrance-free with few ingredients. A simple routine with few well-chosen products (gentle cleanser, soothing moisturiser, suitable sun protection) restores and preserves the barrier.
Favour ingredients known for calming properties, such as certain hydrating, anti-inflammatory or antioxidant-rich agents, to reduce redness, soothe heat sensations and gradually strengthen tolerance.
How skin type changes with age
Skin type changes over time. With ageing, sebum decreases, skin thins and water retention declines. Oily skin may become drier, while normal skin may become dehydrated or sensitive.
Hormonal changes, particularly menopause, are crucial. Regular reassessment of type and condition therefore matters, especially in preventive aesthetic medicine.
Medical diagnosis of skin type
Identifying type through generic advice or approximate tests may cause care errors. Medical diagnosis considers all skin parameters alongside lifestyle, medical history and expectations.
Personalisation is key to natural, lasting results.
