Okay, let’s talk—because this is important. Ever wondered why that “holy grail” moisturiser makes your skin look like an oil spill while your friend swears it’s life-changing? The secret sauce? Knowing your skin type. Once you crack that code, skincare becomes a breeze. No more guessing games—just glowing, happy skin. Ready? Let’s go!

How to Identify Your Skin Type (Because Guessing Isn’t It)

Identifying your skin type is like finding your Hogwarts house—it’s life-changing when you get it right. Here are three easy ways to figure it out:

1. The Bare-Faced Test (A.K.A. Let Your Skin Speak)

Think of this as a vibe check for your face.

Here’s the move:

• Step 1: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser (no, makeup wipes don’t count).
• Step 2: Chill for an hour—no products, no touching, no peeking.
• Step 3: Check your skin’s mood:

👉 Tight, flaky, or like you’ve been shrink-wrapped? Dry skin.

👉 Shiny like a glazed doughnut—everywhere? Oily skin.

👉 Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) but dry elsewhere? Combination skin.

👉 Feels like nothing’s happening? Normal skin (lucky you).

2. The Blotting Sheet Method (Oil Detective Mode)

Blotting sheets aren’t just for TikTok makeup hacks—they can reveal your skin type too.

Here’s how to sleuth it out:

• Step 1: Cleanse your face and let it chill for 30 minutes. No serums. No creams. No drama.
• Step 2: Press blotting sheets on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
• Step 3: Examine the evidence:

👉 Oil party everywhere: You’re rocking oily skin.

👉 Dry as the Sahara Desert: Say hello to dry skin.

👉 T-zone oil but dry cheeks: That’s classic combination skin.

👉 Barely any oil: You’ve got that normal skin vibe.

3. Look, Touch, Repeat (DIY Skin Detective)

Sometimes your skin spills the tea if you just observe closely.

What to watch for:

• Redness, itching, or burning: Girl, that’s sensitive skin.
• Shiny and visible pores: Yep, that’s oily skin.
• Dry patches that scream ‘moisturise me’: Classic dry skin.
• Soft, smooth, not doing too much: You’ve hit the normal skin jackpot.

How to Know If Your Skin Is Dehydrated

Dehydrated skin is just thirsty skin—it lacks water, not oil. The tricky part? Any skin type (yes, even oily) can be dehydrated. So, how do you know if your skin is parched and not just dry?

Signs Your Skin is Dehydrated:

• Looks dull, tired, or lacks its usual glow.
• Feels tight, especially after washing, but still gets oily during the day.
• Sudden fine lines appear (dehydration lines, not wrinkles!).
• Makeup doesn’t sit well and looks patchy.

What To Do:

• Drink more water (yes, it actually helps).
• Avoid harsh cleansers that strip the skin—go for Adigo Swoop Face Wash, which cleanses without drying.
• Lock in hydration with a good moisturiser.

Bottom line? If your skin looks tired and dull but still gets oily, it’s screaming for hydration, not more mattifying products.

What Is the Difference Between Oily and Acne-Prone Skin (Not the Same, Babe)

These two get lumped together, but they’re different vibes.

👉 Oily Skin:

• Always a bit greasy
• Big pores that announce their presence

👉 Acne-Prone Skin:

• Breakouts are your uninvited guests
• Can happen on oily, dry, or combo skin—rude, right?

Key takeaway: Oily skin doesn’t always mean acne, and acne doesn’t just happen with oily skin.

How Your Skin Type Can Change Over Time

Skin isn’t static—it evolves. Factors like age, hormones, weather, and even stress can shift your skin type.

• Teen years? Probably oilier due to hormones.
• Mid-20s to 30s? Could balance out.
• 40s and beyond? Skin gets drier as collagen decreases.

Check-in with your skin regularly—what worked last year might not be the move now.

What’s Your Skin Barrier and Why Should You Care?

Your skin barrier is like your phone case—it protects what’s inside. If it’s damaged, you’ll notice:

• Redness and irritation
• Sudden breakouts
• Skin feeling super dry or extra oily out of nowhere

Protect it by:

• Using gentle cleansers like Adigo Swoop Face Wash.
• Avoiding over-exfoliating. Stick to Adigo Swoop Face Scrub just 2-3 times a week.
• Moisturising like your skin depends on it (because it does!)

How to Care for Your Skin Based on Skin Type

Oily Skin Care (Keep It Chill)

• Cleanse: Twice daily with a gel-based or foaming cleanser.
• Exfoliate: Use a BHA (like salicylic acid) to keep those pores clear.
• Moisturise: Yes, even oily skin needs hydration—go for lightweight, oil-free formulas.
• Sunscreen: Oil-free SPF is your BFF.

Dry Skin Routine (Hydration Station)

• Cleanse: Use a cream cleanser—no harsh stuff.
• Hydrate: Layer up with a hydrating serum and a thick moisturiser.
• Exfoliate: Gently, once a week to shed those dead skin cells.
• Sunscreen: Go for a good moisturising SPF.

Combination Skin Care (Balance, Baby)

• Cleanse: Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser.
• Moisturise: Light for oily spots, rich for dry areas.
• Treat: Spot-treat breakouts and soothe dry zones.
• Sunscreen: Lightweight, non-greasy SPF.

Sensitive Skin Guide (Handle With Care)

• Cleanse: Stick to fragrance-free, gentle cleansers.
• Moisturise: Use soothing ingredients like aloe vera.
• Test: Always patch-test new products first.
• Sunscreen: Mineral sunscreen is your safest bet.

Skincare for Normal Skin (Stay Consistent)

• Cleanse: Gentle cleanser, twice a day.
• Moisturise: Lightweight but nourishing.
• Protect: Sunscreen, always.

How to Fix Common Skincare Mistakes for Your Skin Type

Look, we’ve all been there—here’s how to bounce back:

• Over-exfoliating? Chill out and let your skin heal.
• Skipping sunscreen? Start now—your future self will be grateful.
• Using the wrong products? Match your skincare to your skin type, always.

Daily sun protection is a must for all skin types. Adigo Swoop Sunscreen offers lightweight, non-greasy coverage that blends seamlessly into your routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

-Can my skin type change with the seasons?

Yes! Many people have oilier skin in summer and drier skin in winter. Adjust your routine accordingly with good hydrating products.

-Do I need different products for day and night?

Not always, but night-time is a great chance to use richer creams and active ingredients like retinol that don’t mix well with sunlight.

-Is it bad to have oily skin?

Nope! Oily skin ages slower since the extra sebum keeps it more hydrated. Just make sure to cleanse properly to avoid clogged pores.

At the end of the day, knowing your skin type is the first step to skincare success. No more random guessing—just glowing, thriving skin that feels as good as it looks 💛