Before you start any kind of daily skin care routine, it is very important to identify your skin type. Everyone is born with a particular type of skin. Later in life, the texture of skin depends largely on the diet, environmental factors and how you take care of it. Once you know your skin type, you can choose the best method to suit its needs.

To determine your skin type, all you need is a tissue to wipe your face.

If there is no oil and your face does not feel flaky or tight, it means you have normal skin

If there are some transparent spots on the paper, it indicates that you have oily skin. The oil secrets more on nose, forehead and cheeky areas.

If there is oil only in the central area, then you have a combination skin. There will be oil on forehead and nose, but not on other parts of the face.

You must use the products that suit your skin. Skin types can broadly be classified as

Classification of skin types

Normal skin

Dry skin

Oily skin

Combination skin

Sensitive skin

Normal skin-

This type of skin is usually elastic, vibrant and supple. It requires minimum care and usually has healthy complexion. This type of skin is least problematic. IT has visible pores but not clogged or large.

Cleansing with a gentle face wash, cooling with refreshing toner will give you rosy complexion. Use moisturizes to keep it supple. While using moisturizer, use upward strokes.

Dry Skin-

This type of skin does not produce enough sebum that keeps the skin lubricated. This skin usually appears dull, dry and feels itchy and sensitive. This type of skin has thin and papery texture. It needs hydration more often from inside as well as outside. You need to use creams or lotions that are rich. Such skin hardly has problems of acne or spots.

Dry skin easily develops wrinkles and fine pores. This type of skin is also more prone to aging. To take care of such skin, use a creamy cleanser and let it stay for a while. Then use a cotton wool to sweep the excess cream. Splash your face with cold water. It will instantly refresh your skin. It is important to seal as much moisture as possible to keep the skin soft.

Oily Skin-

This type of skin has over secretion of sebum. There is always excess oil on the surface of the skin. The texture of such skin is usually very coarse and think. This attracts dirt and dust. This type of skin is also prone to pimple, acne, white heads and black heads. People having this type of skin need to cleanse it often, maybe twice or thrice a day. At the same time, oily skin is not prone to wrinkles and aging as compared to other skin types. A good diet can make a lot of difference in the appearance of this type of skin.

To cleanse such skin, use a gentle face wash. It helps in removing oil and dirt. Use the cotton wool soaked in the gentle astringent to sweep over the skin. It will make skin feel cool and look refreshed. All type of skins need moisturizers, even oily ones. Choose the water based moisturizer, apply it evenly over your face. Let it sink in for some time and then wipe with the tissue to get rid of excess moisturizer on your face.

Combination skin-

 This type of skin is most common. This type of skin is combination of dry and oily skin. Some parts of the face are dry and others are oily. Usually, forehead, nose and chin are oily and greasy. It is also referred to as T-zone. This type of skin needs to be treated carefully as each part needs different type of care.

Use a gentle face wash to cleanse such skin. Use the cream to soothe the dry areas and use astringent to get rid of excess oil on the oily areas.

Sensitive skin-

This type of skin is quite sensitive to the changes in climate. It has very fine texture. It occasionally breaks out in spots. This skin type gets irritated easily. It is most difficult to take care of such type of skin. 

It is best to not use any kind of soap of face wash for such skin types. Use a cleansing lotion instead. Use a good quality moisturizer to strengthen the skin. Any product you use should not irritate the skin. It is a good idea to use un-perfumed products.