How to know what skin type you are

Knowing your specific skin type serves as a foundational step in building a successful skincare routine. Using products that aren’t suited to your complexion may leave skin feeling tight, looking dull or appearing unbalanced, while a routine tailored to your skin type can help support a complexion that feels more comfortable, refreshed and radiant.

The five primary skin types

Dry skin

Dry skin is usually caused by a lack of moisture. Signs of dry skin include flaking, coarse or rough patches and tightness. This type of skin often appears lacklustre and is susceptible to fine lines. It can also feel itchy or as though it’s in constant need of more moisture.

It also lacks natural oils, so richer, more nourishing formulas can help comfort and soften the complexion while supporting the skin moisture barrier. Ingredients such as borage seed oil and pomegranate flower extract are often chosen for their nourishing skincare benefits and can help leave skin feeling replenished and cared for.

Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser with natural neroli is enriched with skin-loving botanical ingredients including cranberry seed oil, borage seed oil, rosehip oil and pomegranate flower extract to help leave skin feeling nourished, comforted and beautifully soft.

If your skin feels particularly dry, lacks radiance or is showing signs commonly associated with mature skin concerns, explore the dry skin, mature skin and dull & lacklustre skin collections for nourishing skincare rituals designed to support comfort and glow.

Oily skin

When the skin produces excess sebum, it leads to oily skin. The T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) tends to be the most-affected area and you might notice larger pores, more blemishes and blackheads and a shinier complexion.

When caring for oily skin type, it's important to choose lightweight formulas that help balance the skin moisture without leaving it feeling stripped or uncomfortable. Gentle hydration can help skin feel fresher and more comfortable throughout the day.

Skin Repair™ Light Cream is enriched with moisturising borage oil, smoothing and softening avocado oil, soothing echinacea extract and toning hops. It delivers lightweight hydration with a fresh, comfortable finish that layers beautifully into everyday skincare routines.

If your complexion is prone to excess shine or congestion, the oily skin collection and blemish-prone skin offer more guidance on creating a skincare routine that feels right and gentle on oil-prone skin.

Sensitive Skin

If you’re prone to discomfort and irritation, you probably have sensitive skin. Factors such as the weather, irritants in the environment, and the use of new or poor-quality skincare products can trigger sensitive skin, leading to rashes and redness.

Gentle, fragrance-conscious skincare can help sensitive skin feel soothed, calm and more comfortable over time. Look for ingredients like chamomile, cocoa butter or echinacea extract as it great for soothing sensitive skin.

Superskin™ Moisturiser unfragranced for sensitive skin combines firming pomegranate flower extract with hydrating cranberry seed oil, moisturising borage seed oil and nourishing rosehip seed oil, in a gentle formula designed with sensitive skin in mind.

You can also explore the sensitive skin collection for gentle skincare rituals designed to help comfort delicate complexions.

Normal skin

Well-balanced, ‘normal’ skin tends to be smooth in texture with an even tone and few spots or blemishes. It strikes a harmonious middle ground; whereby skin is neither excessively oily nor dry in any area. Normal skin feels consistently supple and lacks the extremes of shine associated with oily skin or the flakiness of dry skin.

Even normal skin benefits from a consistent skincare ritual focused on cleansing, hydration and protecting the moisture barrier, to help maintain radiance and comfort over time.

Cleanse & Polish™ Hot Cloth Cleanser and Instant Boost™ Skin Tonic Toner work beautifully together as part of a daily skincare ritual to help leave skin feeling refreshed, revitalised and comfortably hydrated. If you’re unsure which collection may best suit your complexion, explore cleansers, toners and moisturisers to build a skincare ritual suited to your complexion.

Combination skin

Combination skin is one of the most common skin types. Typically, the forehead, nose and chin may appear oilier, while cheeks and the eye area can feel drier or more delicate.

If you’ve ever wondered, “what is combination skin type?”, it usually means your complexion benefits from a balanced skincare approach with lightweight hydration alongside targeted nourishment where needed.

Superskin™ Advanced Brightening Essence is infused with acacia tree extract, a plant-based alternative to collagen, and pomegranate oil, to reveal skin that feels more plump and firm, while reducing the appearance of dark spots.

You can also explore skincare tailored to combination skin for routines designed to help support moisture across different areas of the complexion.

How to check your skin type at home

The Bare-Face Method

One of the simplest ways to learn how to know what skin type you are is the bare-face method. 

Start by cleansing your skin with a gentle cleanser, then avoid applying any additional skincare products for around 30-60 minutes. This allows your skin to return to its natural state before observing how it looks and feels. 

Cleanse & Polish™ Hot Cloth Cleanser helps gently remove makeup, daily impurities and sunscreen while leaving skin feeling soft, comforted and refreshed. 

Once time has passed, observe your skin carefully: 

• if skin feels tight or flaky, you likely have a dry skin type  

• if your forehead, nose and chin appear shiny while cheeks remain comfortable, you may have combination skin  

• if your skin appears shiny and feels slick all over, you may have oily skin  

• if your skin feels comfortable, balanced and smooth, you may have normal skin  

If you’re still unsure, paying attention to how your complexion feels after cleansing can often provide helpful clues. 

The Blotting Paper Method

Another simple way to find out your skin type is the blotting paper method.

Gently press blotting paper against different areas of the face, including the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. The amount of oil visible on the paper can help indicate your skin type.

Minimal oil may suggest dry skin, oil concentrated around the T-zone may indicate combination skin, while excess oil across multiple areas can suggest oily skin.

Phase in new products

Introduce new products to your skincare routine gradually and observe how your skin reacts. Take note of any changes or reactions, as this will provide valuable insights into the sensitivity of your skin and identify specific triggers. Monitoring these responses allows you to make informed decisions about the suitability of products for your skin type, ensuring a customised and gentle approach to your skincare routine.

Consult with an expert

To understand your skin type more thoroughly, speak with a skincare professional. If you’re concerned about how your skin responds to products or different environmental factors, you can also speak to your GP, dermatologist or a healthcare professional.

Challenges in identifying your skin type

While your skin type is natural and can be hereditary, there are a number of factors that can exacerbate or change your skin. This can make it harder to identify your true skin type and, in turn, build a skincare routine that truly responds to its needs.

• Weather Variations: Many people notice that their skin undergoes transformations corresponding to different climates or seasons. Typically, colder weather tends to result in drier skin, while summer often brings about increased oiliness.
• Hormonal changes: Your monthly cycle and other hormonal indicators can influence the behaviour of your skin. This means that, throughout the month, you might find that your skin type varies as your hormones fluctuate. Pregnancy, allergies and other hormonal conditions can also cause changes to your skin type.
• Environmental influences: Exposure to pollution and UV rays can significantly impact your skin. Lifestyle choices, diet and stress levels also contribute to the complexity, making it challenging to pinpoint your true skin type.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my skin type?

Your skin type describes how your skin naturally behaves. Common skin types include dry, oily, combination, sensitive and normal skin. Observing how your skin looks and feels throughout the day can help you better understand your skin type and how to find out your skin type more confidently.

Can your skin type change over time?

Your skin type is generally consistent, but skin conditions can shift over time due to factors such as weather, hormones, lifestyle and skincare habits. This means your complexion may sometimes feel drier, more sensitive or oilier depending on your environment, routine and stage of life.