Understanding Skin Types: Which One Are You?

Written By HOUSE OF ESTHETICS

Why Your Skin Type Matters More Than You Think

If you’re investing in skincare but not seeing the results you expected, your skin type might be the missing piece. At HOUSE OF ESTHETICS, I believe that radiant, healthy skin begins with education—and that starts with truly understanding your skin.

Whether you’re battling dry patches, unwanted shine, or breakouts that won’t budge, knowing your skin type is the first step to building a routine that actually works. Skin type affects everything from the cleansers you use to the treatments you book. The wrong products? They can irritate your skin, clog your pores, and even speed up signs of aging.

Let’s take the guesswork out of skincare. Below are the five main skin types, how to spot them, and how to care for each one properly.

Normal Skin

Balanced, healthy, and low-maintenance.

Common Traits:

  • Smooth, even texture

  • Small, nearly invisible pores

  • Rarely breaks out or feels sensitive

How to Care:
Stick to gentle cleansers, lightweight moisturizers, and always wear SPF. You don’t need a complicated routine—just consistent, mindful care. Avoid overusing actives you don’t need.

Oily Skin

Excess oil production and shine, especially in the T-zone.

Common Traits:

  • Greasy or shiny forehead, nose, and chin

  • Enlarged pores

  • Frequent blackheads or acne

How to Care:
Use oil-free or gel-based products. Exfoliate 2–3 times a week with ingredients like salicylic acid. In-studio clarifying facials or blue LED light therapy (LightStim) can help manage oil and breakouts.

Dry Skin

Moisture-deficient, often tight or flaky.

Common Traits:

  • Dull or rough texture

  • Flaking or redness

  • Feels tight, especially after cleansing

How to Care:
Hydration is everything. Use a cream-based, non-foaming cleanser, rich moisturizers with ceramides or hyaluronic acid, and nourishing masks weekly. Avoid harsh scrubs or stripping products.

Combination Skin

The most common type—oily in some areas, dry in others.

Common Traits:

  • Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)

  • Normal to dry cheeks

  • Occasional breakouts in oily areas

How to Care:
Balance is key. Use gentle, non-comedogenic formulas and consider multi-masking—applying different products to different areas of the face. Lightweight serums and balancing toners can help normalize both dry and oily zones.

Sensitive Skin

Delicate skin that reacts easily to products or the environment.

Common Traits:

  • Redness or blotchiness

  • Itching, stinging, or burning with new products

  • Prone to conditions like rosacea or eczema

How to Care:
Stick with fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and alcohol-free products. Avoid aggressive exfoliants or high-strength actives. In-studio soothing treatments like oxygen facials, hydrating masks, or LED therapy (LightStim) can help calm inflammation and restore balance.

Important Reminder: Skin Types Can Change

Your skin is a living organ—and it responds to:

  • Hormones

  • Seasons

  • Stress and sleep

  • Medications

  • Aging

  • Overuse of products

If your routine suddenly stops working, your skin type might have shifted. Don’t worry—this is normal. The key is re-evaluating regularly and adapting your skincare accordingly.

Ready to Understand Your Skin Type?

A personalized approach will always give you better results than guessing. Book a custom skin consultation at HOUSE OF ESTHETICS and get expert insight into your current skin condition, plus a tailored at-home and in-studio plan that works with your skin, not against it.

HOUSE OF ESTHETICS https://www.houseofestheticsmn.com