How to tell your skin type

Not sure if you have oily skin? Try this simple test: Gently press a square of rice or blotting paper over your face, focusing on the forehead, nose and chin (known as the T-zone).

• If the paper doesn’t stick to the skin or change color, most likely, your skin is normal to dry.
• If the paper sticks to the skin, especially in the T-zone, or turns a translucent color (from blotting up a lot of sebum), you have combination or oily skin.

Keep in mind, however, that your skin can become oilier or drier throughout the year, depending on the season. In colder months, you might experience some dryness, whereas, in the summer, your skin can become extra oily. In very humid environments, even the driest of skin can look a little shiny.

What is oily skin?

Oily skin is typically characterized by a shiny appearance and enlarged pores, and oftentimes, blemishes and breakouts. Those with oily complexions have overactive sebaceous glands. These glands are responsible for producing sebum, a substance that resembles oil and acts as the skin’s natural moisturizer. Sebaceous glands are located all over the body, with a high concentration found on the face and back.

Common causes

Oily skin is most often triggered by hormonal changes. “Oil production is stimulated by hormone production — so anything that causes hormones to fluctuate can cause skin to become more oily,” dermatologist Doris J. Day, M.D., tells WebMD.

Women are especially affected by hormonal changes that occur not only during puberty, but also during pregnancy and pre-menopause, reports WebMD.

Like other skin types, oily skin can also be inherited. Even certain cosmetics or skincare products can cause the skin to look oilier, especially if they’re occlusive or heavy.

Solutions

With the proper skincare regimen, you can minimize the appearance of oil, reduce blemishes and improve your skin. Here’s what to do.

• Stock up on products for your skin type.

  Invest in skincare that’s specifically designed to meet the challenges of your oily skin. For instance, both SkinCeuticals Skin System III and Boscia Normal to Oily Kit feature products that deep-clean, clear and purify oily or acne-prone skin.

• Cleanse correctly.

  In order to wash away pore-clogging oil, dirt and makeup, you should cleanse your skin every day, morning and night. But resist the urge to wash your face more often, since over-washing can dry out and irritate the skin. In fact, cleansing too frequently and using harsh skincare can actually increase oil production. Dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, M.D., tells WebMD: “Oil production is nature’s response to irritation — so the harsher the cleansing, the more likely the body is to respond by producing more oil.”

  So, avoid harsh products that’ll strip your skin of its natural oils, and never use plain soap and water. Instead, look for a gentle cleanser specifically created for oily skin, such as La Roche Posay Effaclar Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser.

• Refine with a mask.

  Deep-cleansing clay and mud masks may not actually decrease the amount of oil on the skin long term, but they definitely improve its appearance, texture and tone. Some good choices include Astara Violet Flame Enzyme Mask and SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque .

• Apply sunscreen.

  Wearing sunscreen daily is one of the best ways to care for your skin, regardless of skin type. Oily skin types should use an oil-free formula with SPF 15 or higher.

  Ideal for oily complexions, Peter Thomas Roth Uber Dry Sunscreen with SPF 30 helps to absorb oil and is barely noticeable on the skin.

• Don't forget the moisture.

  The final step in a comprehensive routine is to moisturize your skin. Many people may skip this step, because they think lotion will only make their skin oilier.

  Experts disagree, noting that individuals with oily skin should moisturize, especially after using products that remove oils or refine with active ingredients, such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid.

  Choose oil-free or water-based formulas that won’t clog pores, such as Joey New York Quick Moisturizer Oily Skin Formula.

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