At Proshave we pride ourselves on helping you find the very best products from all the best brands, but to do that, we need to know what your needs are! This guide is for those of you who are unsure of your skin type - so help us help you find the most effective solution for your skin. Identifying your skin type is essential to properly care for it and ensure its health and well-being. The skin, the body's largest organ, is a complex mix of factors including moisture levels, oil production and sensitivity to external influences.
Luckily, understanding your skin type is easy - just follow this guide and learn a lot more about your skin and its needs.
Start by cleansing your face thoroughly with water
This means that you should rinse your face WITHOUT using Soaps, cleansing lotions or other Facial Cleanser.
The purpose of this step is to remove any residual makeup, dirt and impurities from the skin so you can assess its natural state without the influence of other products.
It is important to avoid the use of Soaps and Facial Cleanser in this step so as not to distort the result of your skin type assessment. After rinsing your face with water, feel the condition of your skin and observe any signs of dryness, oily skin or other characteristics.
Feel immediately after washing and again after a few hours
Take time to feel your skin both immediately after washing and again later in the day to observe any changes in its condition.
This gives you a more nuanced picture of your skin type.
Congratulations! You have now found your skin type and can start treating it
... But what do the different types mean? Luckily, we've also created a brief overview with a link to the places on the webshop where you can find products especially for you. Read more about the different skin types below:
Normal skin is characterized by a healthy and natural balance between moisture and the skin's own oil production. The skin does not feel dry, tight or oily, but comfortable, supple and in good harmony.
It typically has an even texture, fine pores and a clear, uniform appearance with no noticeable impurities or irritation. This makes normal skin the most uncomplicated skin type, as it rarely reacts negatively to products or changes in weather and environment.
Although normal skin doesn't require intensive treatment, it still benefits from regular care. A gentle Facial Cleanser removes dirt and excess sebum, while a good moisturizer helps to maintain the skin's natural balance and protect against dryness. With the right simple routine, normal skin can stay healthy, fresh and well cared for for many years.
Dry skin lacks sufficient moisture and can feel tight, rough and uncomfortable - often soon after washing. It tends to lose its natural suppleness and can show visible signs of dryness such as flaking, fine cracks or a dull, lifeless surface.
When the skin's moisture barrier is weakened, it becomes more vulnerable to external influences such as cold, wind and heat, which can lead to irritation, redness and increased sensitivity. Therefore, dry skin requires more targeted and intensive care.
A good skincare routine with mild, gentle cleansers and rich, moisturizing creams helps to rebuild the skin's natural balance, strengthen the protective barrier and keep skin soft, supple and comfortable throughout the day.
Oily skin is characterized by an overproduction of sebum, which gives the skin a shiny and often oily surface - especially in the so-called T-zone (forehead, nose and chin). Immediately after washing, the skin may feel fresh and clean, but it quickly becomes shiny again as sebum production quickly takes over.
The enlarged pores and increased oil make oily skin more prone to clogging, pimples, blackheads and acne. At the same time, the skin may appear uneven and tend to look shinier during the day.
To keep oily skin in balance, it's important to use lightweight, oil-free products that cleanse effectively without drying out the skin. Products that help regulate sebum production and keep pores clean can reduce impurities and give skin a more matte, fresh and even appearance.
Combination skin is characterized by the face consisting of several different skin types at the same time. The most common are dry or normal areas on the cheeks, while the T-zone - the forehead, nose and chin - tends to be more oily and shiny.
This variation makes combination skin a little more challenging to care for, as it can experience dryness, tension and oily areas simultaneously. The oily zones can be more prone to clogged pores and impurities, while the dry areas can feel tight and lack moisture.
The right care requires a balanced approach, using light, regulating products in oily areas and more moisturizing care where the skin is dry. This way, you can help the whole face achieve a healthier, more harmonious balance.
Sensitive skin is characterized by a high sensitivity to both external influences and certain ingredients in skincare products. It can react quickly to things like perfume, alcohol, chemicals, temperature changes and pollution, often manifesting as redness, itching, burning or stinging of the skin.
The skin's natural protective barrier is often weakened, making it more susceptible to irritation and discomfort. That's why it's important to treat sensitive skin with care and gentle products.
Caring for sensitive skin requires gentle, soothing and fragrance-free formulations that strengthen the skin barrier and reduce inflammation. By choosing products designed specifically for sensitive skin, you can minimize the risk of reactions and help skin stay calm, balanced and comfortable in everyday life.
Irritated skin can occur for many different reasons and at any stage of life. It typically occurs when the skin's natural protective barrier is weakened or damaged, making it more vulnerable to external influences such as bacteria, chemicals, pollution and allergens.
When skin is irritated, it can show as redness, dryness, flaking, swelling, itching or a burning and stinging sensation. These symptoms are signs that the skin is out of balance and needs extra gentle care.
For skin irritation, it's crucial to use gentle, soothing and repairing products designed to rebuild the skin's barrier and reduce discomfort. The right care helps the skin to calm down and restore its natural resilience.
Bonus info for the skin geek: What is sebum?
Sebum is a natural substance produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin, found everywhere on the body except the palms and soles. It is a fatty substance made up of various fatty acids, waxes, triglycerides and metabolic waste products from skin cells.
Sebum has several important functions in the skin:
- Humidity: Sebum acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin by forming a protective layer on the skin's surface that prevents water loss and keeps the skin hydrated.
- Protection: Sebum forms a barrier on the skin's surface that protects against harmful external influences such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and chemicals as well as the sun's UV rays.
- Lubrication: Sebum helps lubricate and soften the skin and hair to prevent dryness and friction, making it easier to move and reducing the risk of irritation and damage.
- Temperature regulation: Sebum can also help regulate body temperature by insulating heat and maintaining the skin's pH balance.
Although sebum is essential for healthy skin, overproduction or accumulation of sebum can lead to skin problems such as acne or oily skin, while insufficient production can lead to dry skin. The balance of sebum production is therefore important for maintaining skin health and well-being.
Author: Pernille Lanng
