Skin Types Explained: How to Choose the Right Skincare Routine

by Kirsty Santoro August 15, 2025

Your journey to healthy, glowing skin is deeply personal. It isn’t just about following the latest beauty trend or using what your favourite influencer swears by. It starts with understanding your skin, its natural tendencies, needs, and sensitivities. Whether you’re navigating your skincare challenges or preparing for a professional career in the beauty industry, understanding skin types is the foundation for success.

With the global skincare market rapidly expanding, there’s a growing demand for personalised, results-driven skincare routines. Despite the wealth of options, many people still struggle to find what truly works for them. Why? Because most routines fail to consider the single most important factor: skin type.

Whether you’re oily, dry, sensitive, or somewhere in between, your skin needs a unique blend of care. In this guide, we’ll explain how to identify your skin type and tailor a skincare routine to support it. If you’re considering enrolling in an online skincare course or want to support clients as a future skin therapist, mastering this knowledge is essential.

Why Knowing Your Skin Type Matters

Every person’s skin is unique, influenced by genetics, environment, hormones, diet, and even stress levels. Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all; what works for someone else might leave your skin irritated or imbalanced.

Understanding your skin type:

Helps you choose the right products
Prevents unnecessary irritation or breakouts
Saves money by reducing trial-and-error
Creates the foundation for long-term skin health

The Five Basic Skin Types

Most skincare professionals categorise skin into five main types:

Normal Skin: Balanced, rarely breaks out or feels dry, with minimal visible pores.
Oily Skin: Produces excess sebum, often shiny with enlarged pores, and is prone to acne.
Dry Skin: Lacks oil and hydration, feels tight or flaky, and may show fine lines.
Combination Skin: Oily in some areas (usually the T-zone) and dry or normal in others.
Sensitive Skin: Easily irritated, may react to products, often red or itchy.

How to Identify Your Skin Type

The bare-face test is an easy way to determine your skin type:

Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser.
Pat dry and leave your skin product-free for an hour.
Observe how it feels and looks:

Feels balanced: Normal
Shiny in the T-zone, dry cheeks: Combination
Entire face feels oily and appears shiny: Oily
Feels tight, rough, or flaky: Dry
Shows redness, burning, or reactions: Sensitive

Tailored Skincare Routines by Skin Type

Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

Oily skin needs balance. Stripping away too much oil can lead to even more oil production, while the wrong products may clog pores.

Routine Tips:

Cleanser: Gel or foaming cleanser with salicylic acid or tea tree oil.
Toner: Alcohol-free with niacinamide or witch hazel to control oil.
Moisturiser: Lightweight, non-comedogenic, and oil-free.
Exfoliant: BHA (like salicylic acid) 1–2 times weekly.
SPF: Mattifying, oil-free sunscreen every morning.

Pro Tip: Avoid harsh scrubs and opt for gentle exfoliants to reduce irritation and overproduction of oil.

Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

Dry skin needs extra hydration and barrier repair to maintain softness and prevent flaking.

Routine Tips:

Cleanser: Cream-based or hydrating cleanser.
Toner: Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerine.
Moisturiser: Rich creams or oils with ceramides or shea butter.
Exfoliant: Mild acids like lactic acid, once a week.
SPF: Moisturising sunscreen with nourishing ingredients.

Pro Tip: Use a hyaluronic acid serum before moisturising for added hydration.

Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin needs minimal, gentle care. Less is more when it comes to avoiding flare-ups.

Routine Tips:

Cleanser: Fragrance-free, non-foaming, and calming.
Toner: Optional—if used, choose ones with aloe or chamomile.
Moisturiser: Look for oat extract, calendula, or ceramides.
Exfoliant: Avoid unless necessary—consider gentle enzyme exfoliants once a month.
SPF: Use mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Pro Tip: Always patch-test new products. Simplicity is key to avoiding reactions.

Skincare Routine Essentials for All Skin Types

No matter your skin type, some rules apply to everyone:

Be consistent: Daily routines lead to long-term results.
Start slow: Introduce one product at a time to track effectiveness or sensitivity.
Adjust seasonally: Use richer products in winter and lighter ones in summer.
Never skip SPF: Sun protection is crucial for every skin type, every day.

Taking It Further: Enrol in a Skincare Course Online

For skincare enthusiasts ready to take their knowledge to the next level or those pursuing a beauty career, enrolling in a skincare course online offers both practical and theoretical foundations. Whether you want to master your skincare or work with clients, online learning offers flexibility and depth in one package.

A professional course will teach:

Skin typing and analysis
Ingredient knowledge and product chemistry
Routine building for different skin concerns
Safety standards and client care

Understanding skin types is the cornerstone of effective skincare and a vital skill for anyone in the beauty space. When you know what your skin needs, you can stop guessing and start seeing results. And if you’re ready to transform this knowledge into a rewarding career, Bespoke Beauty Academy is here to help you every step of the way.

At Bespoke Beauty Academy, aspiring professionals gain the expert skills needed to thrive in the beauty industry. Our practical beauty courses, including brow, lash, nail, spa treatments, spray tanning, and waxing, combine hands-on training with industry insights, empowering you to turn your passion for beauty into a successful career.

Contact us today to explore our range of beauty courses and take the first step towards becoming a trusted beauty professional.