Have you ever bought a skincare product that felt perfect in the store... but didn’t deliver what it promised?

Usually, the product is not the problem – but that it didn’t suit your skin’s needs. When you get to know your skin type, skincare becomes much easier, more effective, and much more rewarding.

Why is it good to know your skin type?

When you know your own skin type, it becomes easier to find the right products! Skin types and suitable products are not set in stone – every skin has individual needs and many products suit several skin types. But identifying your skin’s needs and getting to know your skin type can make it much easier to choose the right product.

What happens when you use the right products for your skin type:

• the skin stays balanced
• you avoid unnecessary irritation and blemishes
• you really benefit from the products
• you save money and time

Wrong products can in turn dry out, clog pores, or make the skin sensitive. Of course, we don’t want any of that! Let’s look at the different skin types and how to recognize your own skin type.

Different skin types – do you recognize yours?

Dry skin

Dry skin is easy to recognize – it can be either visibly dry or feel tight. Surface dry skin can flake and feel rough. The texture of dry skin can also be more visible. Dry skin rarely or never gets blemishes, but lines may appear earlier.

Characteristics of dry skin:

• tight feeling after washing
• roughness or flaking
• skin looks slightly matte

What the skin needs:

• plenty of hydration
• lipids (oils) to protect the skin
• products that strengthen the skin's protective barrier and help retain moisture in the skin

Product recommendations for dry skin:

• [hwarang'] Peony Grinding Cleansing Balm
• [hwarang'] Extreme Glow Ogok Latte Creamy Toner
• [ETUDE] SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream

Oily skin

Oily skin often has enlarged pores and increased sebum production. Therefore, the skin often starts to shine during the day. The skin surface also feels noticeably oily. Oily skin is more prone to blemishes, such as pimples. 

Characteristics of oily skin:

• shines quickly, especially in the T-zone
• enlarged pores
• prone to blemishes

What the skin needs:

• light hydration
• products that balance sebum production
• thorough but not too strong cleansing

Product recommendations for oily skin:

• [Anua] Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
• [Anua] Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum
• [medicube] Zero Pore Cream 2.0

Combination skin

Combination skin has properties from several different skin types at the same time. They can appear on different parts of the face or even overlap. With combination skin, it can be difficult to determine what it needs at any given time. The need can also vary greatly depending on the season; in summer, combination skin can become more oily, and in winter it can be very dry. Combination skin can feel both oily and tight dry at the same time – so taking care of it is not the easiest! 

Characteristics of combination skin:

• oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)
• dry or normal cheeks
• the skin can feel "uneven" and it can be difficult to assess what it needs

What the skin needs:

• balancing care
• different products for different areas (if needed)
• light hydration + targeted products

Tips for combination skin:

• [SKIN1004] Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner
• [Purito Seoul] Azelaic Acid 10 Kojic Tea Tree Serum
• [Purito Seoul] Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream

Normal skin

Congratulations if you belong to this group! Normal skin means balanced skin without particularly strong traits in any direction. Normal skin still sometimes needs hydration and also wants protection from the sun. Normal skin can also have certain challenges that need help from skincare, such as hyperpigmentation or fine lines.

Characteristics of normal skin:

• balanced, neither too dry nor oily
• the skin feels comfortable without tightness or shine

What the skin needs:

• maintenance care
• hydration and protection

Normal skin can try any product that meets the skin’s needs! Like other skin types, so-called normal skin is always individual, and the product that suits best is ultimately found only by trying. You can get to know Yeppo’s bestsellers that our customers love 💜

Sensitive skin

Many people from northern countries say their skin is sensitive. Skin sensitivity is very individual, and we are also sensitive to different things. That is why it is good to recognize what makes your skin sensitive. Although sensitive skin is more of a skin challenge than a skin type, it is still important to give it special care. 

Characteristics of sensitive skin:

• reacts easily to products
• redness, burning, or itching
• the skin can be thin and reactive

What the skin needs:

• soothing products and ingredients
• fragrance-free products or products with a very mild scent
• products that strengthen the skin barrier

Tips for sensitive skin:

• [hwarang'] Bellflower Cleansing Balm
• [SKIN1004] Madagascar Centella Toning Toner
• [hwarang'] Bellflower Moisturizing Barrier Cream

Can skin type change?

Yes – and that is completely normal.

Skin type is not permanent but is influenced, for example, by:

• age (the skin dries out as we get older)
• seasons (especially dry indoor air in winter causes the skin to dry out)
• hormones
• stress and lifestyle

If the skin is cared for with the wrong products or with too strong ingredients, the perception of your own skin type can also become unclear. For example, if oily skin is washed and exfoliated too much, it can suddenly become dry and sensitive. The basic type is basically the same, but the skin is then out of balance. 

Test: what skin type are you?

With this playful test, you can find out your skin type! Choose the option that fits best for each point:

1. Wash your face and wait an hour – how does your skin feel?
A) Balanced and comfortable
B) Tight and dry
C) Shiny or oily
D) Slightly dry and irritated

2. How quickly does your face start to shine during the day?
A) Rarely or never
B) Never, the face can feel dry and tight during the day
C) Quickly, especially in the T-zone
D) Varies, the skin can become redder during the day

3. How does your skin react to new products?
A) Usually good, no major reactions
B) Often needs more moisture
C) Can clog or feel heavy
D) Reacts easily: becomes red or gets rashes

4. How are the products absorbed by your skin?
A) Absorbs evenly and the skin feels good
B) Absorbs quickly but the skin wants more
C) Often leaves residue on the skin surface
D) Depends on the product

Results:

Most A answers → Normal skin
Your skin is balanced and does not need special treatment – maintenance care is enough.

Most B answers → Dry skin
Your skin needs moisture and protection especially after washing and possibly during the day.

Most C answers → Oily skin
Your skin produces more sebum and benefits from light, balancing products.

Most D answers → Sensitive skin
Your skin reacts easily – focus on soothing and simple products.

✨ If your answers were spread across several letters:
You probably have combination skin.

This means that different areas of the face have different needs. For example, the T-zone can become oily while the cheeks need moisture. Or the skin can feel dry while starting to shine during the day. 

Common mistakes in skincare

1. Too strong products 

• What is a strong product for someone varies, but every skin type suffers if the skin is exposed to products that are too harsh. Too strong exfoliating products or simultaneous use of several different active ingredients can challenge the skin's protective barrier. Then the skin, which normally does not react sensitively to products, can suddenly become irritated and reactive. If your skin has become sensitive due to too strong products, reduce your skincare routine to a minimum and take a break from strong active ingredients for a few weeks. When the skin has calmed down, you can reintroduce these ingredients little by little back to your skincare routine What are active ingredients?Active ingredients are the product’s effective substances – that is, ingredients that affect the skin and provide the desired effect. Some active ingredients are milder while others are strong. Typical examples of strong active ingredients are retinol, exfoliating acids, and vitamin C. Not all active ingredients are equally irritating; examples of these are peptides and ceramides. 

2. Excessive cleansing of the skin

• The skin needs regular cleansing, but using overly strong cleansing products or cleansing the skin multiple times a day can challenge the skin barrier. Test which cleansing routine suits your skin, as this varies greatly depending on skin type! For dry skin, a gentle cleanse in the evening may be enough, while oily skin may want to cleanse the face morning and evening. However, the face may need more cleansing in humid and warm climates. 

3. Confusing skin type and skin condition

• This is a common mistake! Skin type and skin concerns are two different things. Skin concerns change faster depending on situation and circumstances. Skin type, although not permanently the same, does not change as quickly. Examples of skin concerns are pigmentation spots, blackheads, enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and in some cases skin irritation. 

4. Testing several new products at the same time

• We recommend adding one new product to your routine at a time, especially if they are from the same product category. There are two reasons for this: Potential skin irritation is minimizedYou can see how the current product suits or does not suit your own skin

If you add many products to your routine at the same time, the skin can become irritated either from overload or from a single product. If the products were added simultaneously, it can be impossible to know which product caused the reaction. Even when the reaction is positive, it’s good to be able to identify which product gave that particularly good effect. 

When you learn to recognize your own skin type, skincare becomes much clearer. You don’t need dozens of products – just the right products for your skin!

Now you know your own skin type but are still unsure which products suit you best? Ask Yeppon's cosmetologist for help, who provides personalized advice tailored to your skin's needs ✨