Now shipping to the EU from our EU warehouse.

Skin Types

Skin Types

Understanding your skin type and its specific needs is crucial for creating effective skin routines. There are four main skin types, including oily skin, combination skin, normal skin, and dry skin. 

However, that is not all. Every skin can also have conditions which usually are triggered by external factors and can be seasonal. One of the most frequent skin concerns are sensitive skin, acne-prone skin and dullness.

Going back to your skin type, it can change as you age. With mostly oily skin in your teens to dry skin as you mature. Hormones and genetics are playing the main role in your skin type. Hence, as you age, it is crucial to know what your skin type is and how to correctly identify it.

Want to know more? Keep on reading as our K-Beauty skincare experts at Skinsider can help you with identifying your skin type and suitable products for your needs.

Why it is important to know your skin type?

By correctly identifying your skin type, you will be able to create a personal skincare routine which will help you achieve your skincare goals with minimum effort. Healthy skin is a happy skin and it boosts confidence.

What skin type do I have?

If you’re wondering what your specific skin type is, and how to correctly identify it, we have an answer here for you. First do a short test at home.

It will allow you to understand what kind of skin you have by just observing how your skin behaves after cleansing. Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser. Then gently pat it dry. If after 30 minutes:

  • your skin appears shiny, you probably have oily skin.
  • your skin feels tight and is flaky, you have dry skin. 
  • your skin is shiny only in your T-Zone, you  have combination skin.
  • your skin feels comfortable, but not oily, you have normal skin.

Combination skin

This is probably the most common skin type. If you have combination skin it means that different parts of your face have different needs and therefore need a different approach to skincare. Usually, a combination skin type has oily and blemish-prone skin on the T-Zone and normal to dry skin around the cheeks.

Going into further analysis, the main features of combination skin are:

  • Shiny or even greasy skin with enlarged pores on T-zone.
  • More prominent blackheads on your T-zone, especially nose.
  • Normal to dry skin in other areas of your skin.

Read more tips on combination skin types and shop Korean skincare for combination skin here.

Oily skin

Oily skin usually presents itself in a form of shiny face. It is blemish-prone as it produces more sebum that it needs. Blackheads, white heads, cystic acne usually go hand in hand with oily skin.

The main features of oily skin are:

  • Shiny and greasy skin around your face.
  • Enlarged pores around the nose.
  • Easily develops blemishes.

If you would like to explore more about the oily skin, check out Top Skincare Tips for Oily Skin.

Ready to shop? Check our K-beauty products for oily skin.

Normal skin

Normal skin may seem to be the least demanding skin type out of them all. Your skin is neither too dry nor too oily. And yes, we will allow ourselves to say that: If your skin is normal, it means you are lucky, as your skin may have some imperfections and like every skin it has its needs. However, your focus should be on keeping skin balanced and hydrated at minimum effort.

The main features of normal skin are:

  • Skin texture tends to be even, without dry patches or oiliness.
  • Pores are not enlarged.
  • The T-Zone can become oily or dry depending on external factors but at the same time it can be managed easily with small tweaks in your routine.

Get Skinsider in-depth overview on cult K-beauty brands and shop Korean cosmetics for normal skin.

Dry skin

Itchy, flaky, patchy skin? These are the symptoms of dry skin. They are created by a lack of moisture and natural lipids in your skin. Dry skin can become sore if aggravated. Over time dry skin feels tighter but is losing its elasticity. This means the skin is becoming dull and can age faster. Replenishing the skin and bringing moisture to the deeper layers of the skin are crucial in rebuilding the natural skin barrier.

The main features of dry skin are:

  • Feels tight and itchy.
  • Can be rough and flaky.
  • Dullness.

Shop K-Beauty products for dry skin.

Dry vs dehydrated skin

Did you know that your skin may not be dry but dehydrated? Yes, you heard us right, dehydrated skin does not have to be dry.

Looking to learn more about one of the biggest misconceptions in skincare? Discover Skinsider in-depth analysis of "The Difference Between Dry & Dehydrated Skin" here.

We hope you have found this guide helpful. If you are looking to create a bespoke skincare routine for your oily, combination, normal or dry skin type ask a question to our skincare experts. 

Ready to explore more? Shop Korean skincare products for all skin type at Skinsider

  • Real Barrier

    Real Barrier Extreme Cream

    Real Barrier Extreme Cream is a rich cream that delivers up to 72-hour hydration and moisture without creating a sticky feeling. It is a crushed cream formulation that gives a feeling of firmness. This product contains the MLE® Skin Barrier Formula,...

    €32.00 - €36.00
    €5.60 - €28.80

  • Sioris

    Sioris A Calming Day Ampoule (35ml)

    Sioris A Calming Day Ampoule is a skin-soothing treatment. This serum has a lightweight and silky texture. It provides deep hydration, vitality and soothing skin relief. The Sioris A Calming Day Ampoule contains a unique mixture of essential ingredients...

    €29.00

  • Klairs

    Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop (20ml)

    Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop is the fountain of youth in a bottle. This anti-ageing serum has been designed especially for sensitive skin and now is available with its updated formula. It's highly concentrated texture delays the ageing...

    €31.00

  • Benton

    Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel (100ml)

    Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel is your ultimate solution for sensitive skin. Aloe barbadensis leaf juice and propolis extract make up over 80% of the ingredients. Aloe is a natural and soothing ingredient that penetrates deep into the skin to calm...

    €19.00

  • COSRX

    COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser (150ml)

    Formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid, COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser tackles breakouts. Tea tree oil helps fight blemishes and willow bark water and Saccharomyces ferment hydrate skin making it softer and more even. Salicylic Acid Daily...

    €13.00

  • 25% off
    COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (100ml); Korean skincare at Skinsider COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (100ml); Korean face exfoliator at Skinsider
    Out of stock

    COSRX

    COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (100ml)

    COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid contains 4% of natural BHA component which gently eliminates blackheads and dead skin cells. The liquid should be treated as an essence. It effectively penetrates into the skin and cleans up clogged pores making them...

    products.retail_price €30.00
    products.price_was €30.00
    products.price_now €22.50

  • 25% off
    COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser; Korean skincare at Skinsider COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser; Korean face cleanser at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    COSRX

    COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser

    COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser is a gentle cleanser with mildly acidic ph softly removes wastes and leaves skin hydrated all day long. It will protect your skin barrier and will not strip your skin from its natural oils. It's also formulated to...

    products.retail_price €16.00
    products.price_was €16.00
    products.price_now €12.00

  • 20% off
    COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser (150ml); Korean skincare at Skinsider COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser (150ml); Korean skincare at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    COSRX

    COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser (150ml)

    COSRX AC Calming Foam Cleanser is a perfect daily cleanser that not only combats breakouts but also heals damaged skin. The creamy foam cleanser is formulated with Cosrx's unique CentellAC-Rx Complex which optimizes the natural regeneration of the skin...

    products.retail_price €14.00
    products.price_was €14.00
    products.price_now €11.20

  • Klairs

    Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist (125ml)

    Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist is a part of the fundamental line. It is a Green Tea Water based mist, formulated with rice, cucumbers, okra, and mugwort which is effective for intensive hydration and antioxidant care. With the premium formulation, the...

    €28.00

  • Klairs

    Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner (180ml)

    Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner is an award-winning Facial Toner. Now, this amazing toner is available in a renewed and eco-friendly packaging! The toner removes excess dirt, sebum and any remaining impurities left after cleansing. It is...

    €23.00

  • 25% off
    Sioris Cleanse Me Softly Milk Cleanser Sioris Cleanse Me Softly Milk Cleanser
    Out of stock

    Sioris

    Sioris Cleanse Me Softly Milk Cleanser

    Sioris Cleanse Me Softly Milk Cleanser is a low pH, 100% natural cleanser. It is formulated by fresh and organic ingredients. It's hero ingredient, organic green plum water is full of nutrients and minerals to rejuvenate the skin. In addition, macadamia...

    products.retail_price €22.50
    products.price_was €22.50
    products.price_now €16.88

  • 20% off
    Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Mask Pack 23g; Korean skincare at Skinsider
    Out of stock

    Benton

    Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Mask Pack 23g

    Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Mask Pack is a perfect solution for red and irritated skin. It is a hypoallergenic, slightly-acidic mask sheet soothes problematic skin while delivering hydration and nutrition. The hero ingredient of this sheet mask is...

    products.retail_price €2.90
    products.price_was €2.90
    products.price_now €2.32

  • Klairs

    Klairs Daily Skin Softening Water (500ml)

    Klairs Daily Skin Softening Water is a water-like exfoliating toner with low irritation and no viscosity. You can easily take care of dead skin cells daily with this toner. It contains sugarcane extract, a natural exfoliant, and a small amount(0.15%) of...

    €35.00

  • iUNIK

    iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum (50ml)

    This Tea Tree Relief serum contains 67% tea tree extract water and 19% centella extract which have strong soothing properties and will be perfect for troubled skin. Serum containing 67% tea tree extract and 19.5% centella extract helps soothe sensitive...

    €15.00

  • By Wishtrend

    By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence (100ml)

    By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence is a skin booster that contains 'Quad Active' ingredients. These are widely known to help with anti-inflammatory, anti-pollution, and anti-bacterial effects to maintain your skin to stay healthy and lively...

    €25.00

  • 25% off
    COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner (150ml); Korean skincare at Skinsider COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner (150ml); Korean face exfoliator at Skinsider
    Add to Cart

    COSRX

    COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner (150ml)

    COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is a product which will refine your complexion. It is an amazing renewing, resurfacing treatment dedicated to improving skin tone and texture. The lightweight toner expertly eliminates dead skin cells and...

    products.retail_price €23.00
    products.price_was €23.00
    products.price_now €17.25