Sharing my skincare journey

Selfish X Ariel

The Ultimate Guide to Skin Types;

Because Your Skin Deserves the Best, Darling

Okay, let’s talk about skin—your skin, to be exact. That delicate, beautiful canvas that somehow reacts differently depending on the day, your mood, or diet. If you’re trying to figure out your skin type, you’re in the right place! Is it dry, oily, or somewhere in between? Is it thirsty (dehydrated; not a skin type but more of an unwanted add on)? Let’s dive into the 5 most common skin types and the products they absolutely need to feel fabulous.

1. Dry Skin – Like the Sahara Desert, But Better

We all know the feeling: flaky patches, tightness, and that dull complexion that screams, “Please, moisturize me!” If your skin is prone to dryness, you’re probably no stranger to chugging water like a camel and slathering on anything that promises hydration. Look in the mirror and if you are squinting just to try to see your pores or the pores are relatively invisible, you likely have dry skin.

Products You Need:

  • Hydrating Cleanser: Skip the foaming cleansers (they’re basically a party for your oils, which you don’t have) and go for a creamy, hydrating cleanser. Think gentle, soothing, and hydrating. Your skin will thank you. Try: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser or La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser – Packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this creamy cleanser will hydrate and restore your skin without leaving it feeling tight or dry.
  • Moisturizer: A rich, thick moisturizer is your best friend. Look for ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin that lock in moisture. Try: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel or Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – This lightweight gel-cream formula provides long-lasting hydration with hyaluronic acid, making your skin feel plump and smooth.
  • Face Oils: Yes, even you, dry skin queen, can embrace oils! They add an extra layer of moisture and help keep that glow on point. Try: The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil – This oil will help smooth your skin and give it a healthy, natural glow without being too heavy.

Benefits for Your Skin: These products will restore moisture, making your skin feel hydrated, soft, and glow-y (hello, healthy skin!). You’ll wave goodbye to tight, flaky patches and welcome a plumper, smoother complexion.

2. Oily Skin – Glowy or Greasy? It’s a Fine Line

Oily skin is basically the queen of the natural shine—except, sometimes, it’s more like a disco ball than a subtle glow. If you have oily skin, you know that shiny T-zone struggle. Your pores size will be very large and visible. But don’t worry, with the right products, you can keep the oil under control and maintain a balanced, matte finish.

Products You Need:

  • Gel-based or Foaming Cleanser: You need something that can get all that oil off your face without stripping it. Gel cleansers are perfect for this. Try: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash or First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser – A foaming gel that helps remove excess oil and impurities, plus it’s formulated for acne-prone skin, so it kills two birds with one stone.
  • Oil-Free Moisturizer: Oily skin still needs hydration (yes, even oily skin gets thirsty). Look for lightweight, non-comedogenic (i.e., won’t clog your pores) moisturizers. Try: Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 – This moisturizer has SPF (protect your face, please!) and helps control oil while keeping your skin hydrated.
  • Mattifying Products: Yes, the oily skin world includes some nice little mattifying tools. A good mattifying primer will keep that shine in check throughout the day. Try: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer or Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer – This affordable primer will keep your skin matte and smooth by blurring pores and controlling shine.

Benefits for Your Skin: These products will keep oil in check without over-drying your skin, giving you that fresh, matte finish all day long. Bonus points: you won’t have to keep reapplying that powder.

3. Normal Skin – The Lucky One

Normal skin is basically the unicorn of skin types. Not too dry, not too oily, just balanced, smooth, and radiant. You don’t get dry patches or oily shine, and you can pretty much use whatever products you like without your skin throwing a tantrum. Your pores can be visible but quite small, but not as small and invisible as dry skin. If you have normal skin, you’re basically living the dream.

Products You Need:

  • Gentle Cleanser: Just something that keeps your skin clean without stripping it or over-moisturizing it. Try: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, Fresh Soy Face Cleanser or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser – It’s hydrating, gentle, and perfect for maintaining the balance your skin needs. No irritation, just a fresh face.
  • Moisturizer: Look for something lightweight that hydrates without making you feel greasy. Try: Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer – This ultra-light formula hydrates and firms, leaving you with that natural looking glow.
  • SPF: You’re not getting away without sunscreen, darling. It’s non-negotiable, even for normal skin. You want something that protects you from those UV rays without clogging your pores or leaving a white cast. Try: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen or La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen or Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 100 – This sunscreen is lightweight, fast-absorbing, and gives you powerful sun protection without the greasy feel.

Benefits for Your Skin: These products will keep your skin balanced, hydrated, and looking effortlessly radiant. You don’t have to worry about excess oil or dryness.

4. Combination Skin – A Little Bit of Everything

Combination skin is like when you have two different personalities. One minute, you’re dealing with oily patches (hello, T-zone), and the next, you’re like “wait, why am I so dry around my cheeks?” It’s a struggle, but don’t worry—you’re not alone. A lot of us are living that combo life. Your pore size can range from large in some areas and normal in others or small and normal, you could be combination-oily or combination-dry. You need products that balance the oil and provide hydration where your skin needs it most.

Products You Need:

  • Balancing Cleanser: A gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin or leave it oily. Something that works for both the dry patches and the shiny zones. Try: Simple Kind to Skin Moisturizing Facial Wash – This gentle cleanser removes dirt and oil without drying out the skin, so it’s perfect for combination skin.
  • Lightweight Moisturizer: Go for something lightweight, so it doesn’t clog pores in your oily areas but still hydrates the drier spots on your face. Try: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – This gel moisturizer is hydrating but not heavy, so it’ll keep your skin feeling fresh all day without being greasy.
  • Targeted Treatments: You may need to use different products for different areas of your face. Try a richer cream for dry spots and a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer for your T-zone. Try: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads – Use these to target those pesky dry patches while keeping your T-zone in check.

Benefits for Your Skin: These products will help balance the oil and dryness, giving you a more even skin tone and texture. You’ll look refreshed and radiant without the back-and-forth struggle.

5. Dehydrated Skin – Thirsty, but Not the Party Kind

Okay, here’s the thing: dehydrated skin is not the same as dry skin. Dry skin lacks oil, but dehydrated skin is just really thirsty for water (like, it would literally drink a whole bottle of H2O if it could). Dehydrated skin can happen to anyone, no matter your skin type. If your skin feels tight, looks dull, flakes and may even have fine lines, you’re likely dealing with dehydration.

Products You Need:

  • Hydrating Cleanser: Go for something gentle that won’t further strip away your moisture. Try: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser – This cleanser will leave your skin feeling clean and hydrated, not stripped and dry.
  • Humectant-rich Moisturizer: Hyaluronic acid is your BFF. It draws moisture into the skin, and keeps it there, leaving your skin plump and hydrated. Try: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 or Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – This moisturizer is packed with hyaluronic acid and provides instant hydration that lasts.
  • Hydrating Mist: If you’re feeling parched during the day, a hydrating mist can give you a quick boost of moisture. Try: Byoma Balancing Mist – Spritz it on your face for a refreshing, dewy glow that’ll make you feel like you’re living your best hydrated life.

Benefits for Your Skin: These products will restore the moisture balance in your skin, giving you that plump, glowy look. You’ll be hydrated, happy, and glow like a highlighter.

Final Thoughts No matter your skin type, there’s a perfect skincare routine out there waiting for you to discover it. It’s all about finding the right products that work with your skin, not against it. So, whether you’re battling dry patches, oily T-zones, or just in need of some hydration, there’s a product waiting to make your skin feel fabulous—and maybe even make you feel like a skincare pro in the process! Pamper your skin with the love it deserves. After all, it’s the only skin you’ve got!

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