skin type

before choosing products, figure out what your skin naturally does on its own.

wash your face with a gentle cleanser and don’t immediately apply anything afterward. give your skin about 30–60 minutes to settle.

then look and feel.

if your skin feels tight or dry...

you may have dry skin and you might notice:

- tightness after cleansing
- flaky or rough patches
- little visible pores
- skin that feels thirsty throughout the day
- makeup settling into dry areas

dry skin usually benefits from ingredients that help soften the skin and reduce moisture loss. it's best to look for nourishing oils, butters, humectants, and gentle ingredients that support the skin barrier.

if your skin gets shiny all over...

you may have oily skin and you might notice:

- shine across most of your face
- larger-looking pores
- frequent clogged pores
- excess oil throughout the day
- makeup breaking down quickly

oily skin still needs moisture though! stripping away all of your oil can actually leave your skin feeling irritated and can make your routine harder to balance.

the goal is not “no oil.” the goal is balance.

if your t-zone gets oily but your cheeks feel normal or dry...

you may have combination skin. your forehead, nose, and chin may produce more oil while your cheeks feel comfortable, dry, or even sensitive.

combination skin usually does best when you stop treating your entire face like it has the exact same needs.

sometimes your t-zone needs lighter products while your cheeks need a little more nourishment.

if your skin feels comfortable and balanced...

you may have normal skin and you may experience:

- minimal dryness
- minimal excess oil
- relatively even texture
- few sensitivity issues
- skin that generally feels comfortable after cleansing

but remember even “normal” skin still changes.

weather, hormones, stress, products, diet, sleep, and your environment can all influence your skin.

if almost everything seems to bother your skin...

you may have sensitive or reactive skin and you might notice:

- redness
- burning or stinging
- itching
- easily irritated areas
- reactions to new products
- tightness or discomfort

sensitive skin doesn’t necessarily mean you have a specific skin type. you can have oily, dry, combination, or normal skin that is also sensitive.

when your skin is reactive, simple is usually better.

your skin can be more than one thing.

you don’t have to perfectly fit into one category, you can be:

- dry + sensitive
- oily + acne-prone
- combination + dehydrated
- normal + sensitive
- dry + textured

and your skin can change over time. that’s completely normal, because you are you and nobody else. :)