Know yourself: What’s your skin type?

If you’re confused as to what your skin type is, we’ve got an easy fix. Simply take a quick test by washing your face and patting it dry. In an hour, cut a piece of rice paper to create five small postage stamp size squares. Press one onto your forehead, each cheek, nose and chin. If the paper bits stick anywhere, this is where your skin is oily. In fact, some people have such an oily skin type that they’ll be able to see the oil shining on the surface of their skin without having to mess about with paper.

If you’re shiny all over, you’ve got an oily skin type. Those who are only oily in their T-section (forehead, nose and chin) have combination skin. If you can’t get any paper to stick at all, you’ve got a dry skin type. Many people with this skin type also have sensitive skin and need to be careful about using products with irritating ingredients.

Got oily or acne-prone skin?

Your main issues are going to be stopping pimples in their tracks, minimising the marks they leave when they’re gone and keeping your skin hydrated but free of oil.

Your beauty booty
Look out for an oil-free face wash, scrub, toner and moisturiser that contains pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid (also referred to as BHA). Just make sure your moisturiser promises to help mattify skin. When it comes to treating the marks certain big blemishes leave behind, try treating them them with glycolic acid (AHA). This mild exfoliating acid will help increase cellular turnover and speed up your skin’s healing process.

Combination/normal skin?

If you aim to control the oil in your T-panel while keeping your cheeks hydrated you’ll be glad to know many beauty brands offer ‘balancing’ facial care products to help you do just that.

Your beauty booty
You can use the same face washes, scrubs and toners as those with oily skin, but to keep your drier areas in good shape opt for a moisturiser specially formulated for combination skin.

Dry or sensitive skin?

If you’ve got a drier skin type you’ll have a tendency towards fine lines, flaking and the odd red or sensitive patch.

Your beauty booty
You’ll need a gentle face wash that won’t dry out your skin further so opt for rich, creamy formulas. When you exfoliate it’s important that you do it gently, so look for mild non-abrasive options or try a very mild chemical exfoliator that won’t pull or tug at your skin. When it comes to moisturising, pick formulas specially developed for those with drier skin types; they’ll usually be creams as opposed to lotions or gels.