What Is Your Skin Type? Find Out With This Quiz + Expert-Approved Products

Before building a skin care routine—no matter how simple or robust—it's important to ask yourself: What is my skin type? While everyone's skin is nuanced and unique, it's helpful to address your general skin care circle—that is, dry, oily, acne-prone, combination, or sensitive. 

Simple: You can't craft a skin care routine without knowing exactly what your skin needs. And while everyone's skin has individual characteristics, skin types can help you navigate what kinds of formulas your skin loves—and, consequently, what you should avoid. 

For example, if you know your skin runs dry, you wouldn't necessarily treat it with an oil-absorbing charcoal mask; rather, you might gravitate toward a nourishing face oil to lock in moisture. And if your skin reads acne-prone? Chances are you wouldn't opt for heavy coconut oil, as it has the potential to clog pores. BHAs are far better for keeping breakouts at bay. 

If your skin runs dry, you likely experience cracks and flakes, and your skin may also feel tight post-cleansing. 

Acne-prone skin is often oily, but it doesn't have to be: Acne-prone skin can also be dry, combination, or sensitive. "Whether your skin is acne-prone has to do with your genetics, your hormonal fluctuations, and your stress level typically," says board-certified dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D., co-host of The GIST Show. "For some people, their acne is complicated by what they eat as well as lack of sleep." 

If you have oily skin, that means you have increased oil production all over—both on the cheeks and along the T-zone. "When you have oily skin, it is something you will notice all over your face, as opposed to just one restricted area," celebrity esthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar once shared with mbg. 

Technically, there's no scientific consensus2 on the true definition of "sensitive skin," but most experts would say: Sensitive skin is associated with a compromised skin barrier. That's why "sensitive skin is characterized by skin that is not able to tolerate harsh conditions, [cosmetics products], environments, or even diets," says board-certified dermatologist Purshiva Patel, M.D., founder of Visha Skincare, as these irritants can trigger uncomfortable, sometimes painful, reactions. 

You'll want to coat the skin with ingredients like ceramides, colloidal oat, aloe, and shea butter "to lock in moisture and restore your skin barrier," board-certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss, M.D., explains. You'll also want to use cleansers and soaps without harsh surfactants, as these can strip the skin of its natural oils and dry it out further. 

If you're prone to breakouts, you'll want to stick to noncomedogenic products and opt for ingredients that unclog pores, like salicylic acid. While the term "noncomedogenic" can differ for everyone (read: Some do just fine with coconut oil; others find it way too heavy), typically those with acne-prone skin should opt for lightweight confections. "They should avoid using products that have mineral oil, shea butter, and/or other heavy oils in their products," seconds Downie.

If your oily skin is also acne-prone, you might want to do some mixing and matching here with the ingredients above. But for shine alone, Idriss suggests looking for oil-balancing ingredients—like niacinamide—to help regulate sebum production (bonus: Studies have found niacinamide can help with acne as well).

To care for your combination skin, you'll want to treat both oily and dry areas simultaneously, with clarifying and hydrating products to address both needs. For example, if you want to incorporate an acid to help unclog sebum plugs (like lactic acid, which is known for being more gentle on the skin), balance it out with a soothing, calming moisturizer—see here for our favorite moisturizers for combination skin.

"Patients with sensitive skin need to avoid ingredients that are irritating," says Downie, "so limited glycolic acid, limited salicylic acid, and retinols perhaps once every week."