How to Decipher Your Skin Type
Learn how to identify your skin type and complexion mood with a little help from Liberty
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How to Decipher Your Skin Type
Learn how to identify your skin type and complexion mood with a little help from Liberty
By: Verity ClarkIt pays to know the answer to this time-old question: what is my skin type? Why? Because skincare isn’t one size fits all. Use a formula suited to another skin type, and it will, at best, do nothing and, at worst, cause potential problems down the line. First identifying your skin type, as well as any skin conditions, concerns and even moods, is the key to unlocking the skin of your dreams. Liberty shows you how...
What Is My Skin Type?
As a general rule, your skin type is determined by the level of oil your skin naturally produces, and there are four main skin types; oily, dry, combination and normal. Whittling it down further, any one of these skin types can become sensitive, acne-prone, dehydrated or develop hyperpigmentation.
While your skin type is primarily based on genetics, external factors such as medication, hormonal changes and the climate can sometimes have an effect, too. It’s also worth noting that your skin type can change overtime; you may have very oily skin as a teenager but as you age, and experience different life stages, you may notice your skin shifts over to the dry side.
Happily, there is a quick and easy test to identify your primary skin type. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat it dry and leave for 30 minutes without applying any skincare. Step away from the moisturiser, put down the serum and don’t even think about touching that mist. After half an hour, you can assess how your skin looks and feels to help you figure out your skin type. Let Liberty be your guide…
IF YOUR SKIN IS... SHINY
You Have Oily Skin
The shiny areas may be more prominent across your T-zone but a key indication that you fall into camp oily is if other areas of your face also have a distinct sheen and if your pores appear particularly visible.
IF YOUR SKIN IS... TIGHT
You Have Dry Skin
If your skin feels tight or uncomfortable without skincare, this is a telltale sign that you have dry skin which lacks lipids, and can look dull and appear flaky in areas. It’s not to be confused with dehydrated skin, which is when skin lacks water. Push your cheek upwards using your fingertip. If you see fine horizontal lines then it’s likely that your skin is dehydrated.
IF YOUR SKIN IS... BOTH
You Have Combination Skin
Typically, the nose and forehead (aka the T-zone) tend to be oily while the cheeks and mouth area are either balanced or dry.
IF YOUR SKIN IS... NEITHER
You Have Balanced Skin
The goldilocks of skin types, balanced, or ‘normal’ skin is not too dry and not too oily. Generally it’s less prone to breakouts and sensitivity than other skin types, too.
What Is My Complexion Mood?
Once you’ve identified your main skin type, next it’s time to identify the ‘mood’ of your skin, or in other words, the more temporary conditions and concerns you currently want to tackle. And that's where the fun starts. With this information, you can find the dream routine to bring it back into balance. Which of these skin personalities resonates with you?
Mood: Easily Irritated
Your skin is in a perpetual bad mood. One wrong move – or one overly active formula – and your complexion becomes sore and blotchy, taking a long while to settle back down.
The Solution: Go easy on your vulnerable skin with soothing formulas such as Kate Somerville's Delik8 Recovery Cream and REN Clean Skincare's Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk to help settle an aggravated complexion.
Build a Soothing Routine
Kate Somerville
DeliKate Recovery Cream 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Hyaluronic Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Paula's Choice
Resist Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturiser 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Votary
Super Sensitive Cleansing Cream 100ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Reome
Firming Eye Treatment
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Skin Rocks
The Rich Moisturiser Fragrance Free 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Mood: Overreactive
You’re not sure what, but something’s up with your skin, leaving it feeling a little off-kilter. And this lack of balance has manifested into blemishes that are either sparse but recurrent, or and constant.
The Solution: Blemishes, be gone hero products such as Paula's Choice Clear Cleanser and Zelens PHA+ Resurfacing Essence to help temper spots and blackheads, leaving skin clear and content
Curate a Spot-Calming Routine
Zelens
PHA+ Resurfacing Essence 100ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Paula's Choice
Clear Cleanser 177ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
MANTLE
The Bare Balm 75ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dermalogica
Multivitamin Power Recovery Cream 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Kiehl's
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Kate Somerville
EradiKate Blemish Treatment 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Mood: Off Balance
The result of perhaps spending a little too long in the sun, your skin isn’t as even as it once was. You notice patches appearing in areas like the tops of your cheeks, or across the forehead.
The Solution: You need brightening formulas that'll leave you with a more even complexion, like Sunday Riley's C.E.O Glow Face Oil to brighten and Ultra Violette's Clean Screen SPF 30 to protect.
Map out a Brightening Routine
Westman Atelier
Suprême C Serum 20ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Skin Rocks
The Antioxidant 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
MANTLE
The Miracle Mask 75ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dermalogica
Daily Microfoliant 74g
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Sisley Paris
Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Ultra Violette
Clean Screen SPF 30 Fragrance Free Weightless Gel SKINSCREEN™ 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
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