Have you ever wondered how to tell if you have oily skin? Or how to tell if your skin is dry? 

Knowing what type of skin you have can help you choose the most effective products and routines to keep your skin healthy. 

Both oily and dry skin can be easily treated to get rid of the symptoms without having to resort to expensive cosmetics. 

Most people have a combination of oily and dry skin, while some people only have one type. However, how do you know how to tell if you have oily or dry skin? 

Table of contents:

• How do I know if my skin is dry?
• How do I know if my skin is oily?
• How do I know if I have combination skin?
• How can I identify my skin type?
• Taking care of different skin types

How do I know if my skin is dry?

If your skin is usually tight after you wash it, or even when you're in the shower without having washed it yet, this means that your skin is probably dry.  

Here are some other signs to look for:  

• Flakes or scaly patches appearing on the face;
• If you have to apply body lotion at least once a day, your skin may be too dry;
• If your skin feels really rough and bumpy when you pat it with your hands, then it's probably severely dry;
• Oftentimes the area around the nose tends to be crinkly if your skin is dry;
• The pores on our skin can get clogged easily when there isn't enough moisture in the skin itself. This causes blackheads to appear;
• If you're dealing with extremely dry skin, look for symptoms like redness, peeling, and scaling;
  
• If your skin is dehydrated, it will also be flaky and show signs of cracking or scaling;
• You may not see any of these symptoms when you first wake up in the morning; this is because your body naturally restores moisture to the surface of the skin at night. The moment you wash your face, however, all of those symptoms will surface. The skin's natural hydration level is restored as soon as it's exposed to the elements again;

How do I know if my skin is oily?

This one can be a little trickier. Oily skin does not necessarily equate to acne; in fact, many people who have an oilier complexion never suffer from outbreaks.  

However, how do you know how to tell if your skin is oily? 

Characteristics of oily skin include: 

• If your T-zone (forehead and down the nose) gets shiny, this could mean that your skin is producing more sebum than average;
• You may notice slight pimples or blemishes on the forehead or chin;
• You're probably wearing a lot of powder or foundation because your skin looks very shiny;
  
  
• You have to use blotting sheets regularly;
• Oily skin typically has large pores;
• While both oily and dry skin types are susceptible to breakouts, how it manifests can be very different. Oily skin tends to result in large blemishes or pimples, whereas dry skin often manifests as tiny whiteheads;

How do I know if I have combination skin?

Combination skin is when your face has both dry and oily areas at the same time. If you have combination skin, you may notice at least two or all of the below characteristics appearing repeatedly:  

• If your T-zone is oily and the rest of your face is dry, this means that you have combination skin;
• If your T-zone is shiny with some flakiness around the edges or along the jawline, then you may have combination skin as well;
  
• If you have to blot your face or use powder in order to get rid of the shine, your skin is probably a combo;
• The areas where oil accumulates are usually the nose and forehead; the dry areas are the chin, cheeks, and around the eyes; 

How can I identify my skin type?

There are a few tests you can do to determine your skin type, some of which are outlined below. 

If you want to test for dry skin, rub a cotton ball soaked in toner around the test area of the skin on your face. 

If there is no moisture on the cotton ball at all, this means that your face is dry. 

If you see a little bit of moisture left on the cotton ball, that means that your skin is oily. 

A sample of skin that has combination skin will show both dry and oily spots on the cotton ball. 

If you're interested in testing for sensitive skin, blow some cold air onto your face. You'll probably feel a slight tingle or sting if your skin is very sensitive. This means that your skin is probably prone to itching, redness, and irritation. 

Another way to test your skin type is to press a tissue onto the test area. If it sticks to your skin, this means that you have a combination of oily skin. If the tissue doesn't stick, then your skin is probably dry.  

Taking care of different skin types

Once you've identified your skin type, it's time to adjust your daily routine! 

If you have combination or oily skin, try switching to a gentle facial cleanser with salicylic acid in the ingredients. Use a mild soap with warm water to cleanse the skin twice daily. Use an oil-free moisturizer after washing your face and apply it generously to the skin.  

If you have dry skin, look for products that contain glycerin. Apply a light moisturizer after the skin has dried and give it some extra love by using a humidifier. 

If your skin is very sensitive, look for skincare products that include hyaluronic acid. At night, switch from a cleanser to a skin lotion or skin cream that has been specially formulated for sensitive skin.  

If you have combination skin, you need to care for both skin types separately. To take care of your dry skin, use a gentle facial cleanser and apply it with a cotton ball. Gently pat skin dry and follow up by applying moisturizer. Use an oil-free formula to keep skin from looking shiny throughout the day. To take care of skin that's oily, use warm water to wash skin twice daily. Pat skin dry and follow up by applying an oil-free moisturizer. You may also want to consider using a toner or astringent after washing your skin to reduce the amount of oil on the skin surface.   

Once you've identified your skin type, take care of it! Use gentle moisturizers and cleaners to keep skin healthy and hydrated. Avoid using harsh ingredients like alcohol or fragrance, which can dry out the skin even more.  

Remember to take care of your skin, whether it's oily, dry, or combination. Give it the attention it deserves, and it'll thank you for it!