Oily Skin produces an excess of sebum that causes the skin to appear shiny and feel

greasy—especially throughout the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). People with oily skin may tend
to have fewer wrinkles, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD),2 but they may
also be more prone to enlarged pores, acne blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads.

Keep in mind that just because oily skin produces more natural oils, this doesn’t mean that it requires
any less moisture than other skin types. Supporting oily skin comes down to choosing the right
products that nourish and hydrate, without clogging your pores or triggering breakouts. The ideal oily
skin routine should feature a gentle, foaming cleanser that effectively removes dirt, excess oil, and
other impurities. It should also include a lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic moisturizer that
provides your oily skin with the essential hydration it needs.

Dry skin generally produces less natural oils than other types of skin. This may cause it to appear dull
and become rough, flaky, or even scaly. It often feels tight or less elastic, noticeably dehydrated, and
may be prone to showing more visible fine lines. In addition, it may become itchy or irritated.
A skincare routine for dry skin should include gentle, soothing, and hydrating ingredients that help
maintain the skin’s protective moisture barrier—such as ceramides. For dry skin types, the Mayo
Clinic recommends avoiding excessively long, hot showers, moisturizing multiple times per day, and
opting for skincare products that are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and alcohol-free.
Normal skin is balanced—feeling neither too dry nor too oily. It is not prone to breakouts, flakiness, or
feeling greasy or tight. People with normal skin typically have small pores, a smooth skin texture, and
are less prone to sensitivity or blemishes. However, even though normal skin doesn’t have any
specific issues or concerns, it still requires proper skincare to look and feel its best. The ideal normal
skin routine helps maintain your skin’s hydration by locking in moisture and supporting your skin’s
protective barrier.

Combination skin includes areas that are dry as well as oily—with the T-zone commonly being oily,
and the cheeks being either dry or normal. This skin type can vary during different seasons of the
year, and due to various factors, such as stress or hormone fluctuation. Effective cleansing and
hydration are key to care for skin that's oily or normal in some places and dry in others.

Sensitive skin is often referred to as a skin type, but it’s possible to have oily sensitive skin, dry
sensitive skin, or normal sensitive skin. Regardless of which type of skin you have, if you have
sensitive skin, it may appear red and feel like it's burning, itching, or dry. These symptoms may be
related to having skin that is more vulnerable to external irritants and may be triggered by certain
ingredients—like dyes or fragrances—as well as environmental factors.
If you have sensitive skin, you may be able to determine what triggers your sensitivity and avoid
cleansers, moisturizers, or other products containing those specific ingredients. You can also alter
your environment to reduce your exposure to triggering agents.

PRODUCTS ACCORDING TO YOUR SKIN TYPE.

Retinol
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative. It's the most common over-the-counter retinoid, which are vitamin A
derivatives that increase skin turnover, mostly used for anti-ageing and anti-acne purposes.
You can get retinol from a drugstore or speciality beauty store in up to 2.0% typically, but higher
concentrations are available with a prescription from a doctor.
The primary purpose: Retinol increases skin turnover, which means it helps get rid of old dead skin
cells and encourages the generation of new healthy skin cells. Increasing cell turnover can lead to:

● Improve skin texture

● Fix uneven pigmentation
● Unclog pores
 ● Help with both whiteheads and blackheads
● Prevent acne breakouts
● Increase collagen production
● Reduce fine-line appearance

Best suited for: Acne-prone or oily skin. However, it can be suitable for all skin types. If you have
sensitive or dry skin, start with a lower concentration of retinol, such as 0.025 - 0.03%,

Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid, which means that it is great for decreasing oil production and
getting rid of dead skin cells. It's oil-soluble, which allows it to penetrate the pores,
The primary purpose: Salicylic acid is often found in acne-fighting cleansers. It acts as a chemical
exfoliant, and it can:

● Remove old skin debris

● Remove bacteria
● Diminish excess oil
● Clean and unclog pores
● Prevent acne

Best suited for: Acne-prone or oily skin. If you have sensitive or dry skin, you should limit how much
salicylic acid you use, since it can lead to dryness and irritation with overuse, Massick says.
Additionally, it should be avoided during pregnancy.
Ceramides
Ceramides are lipids, or fats, that exist naturally in our skin. Cheng says these lipids are found in high
concentrations in the top layers of our skin, which help serve as a barrier against the outside
environment.
The primary purpose: By creating a strong barrier, ceramides are able to:

● Hydrate skin
● Lock in moisture
● Soothe sensitive skin
● Protect from pollution, dry air, and other irritants

Best suited for: Dry or sensitive skin even those with very sensitive eczema-prone skin can benefit
from ceramides and won't be irritated by them.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means it can help decrease the formation of free radicals and
therefore, the harmful effects of free radicals on the skin. Free radicals are unstable molecules that
come from external factors ranging from pollution to sunlight. They can damage the DNA of healthy
cells. Antioxidants can help protect your skin cells from this camage.
The primary purpose: By combatting free radical production, vitamin C can:

● Prevent overproduction of melanin that results in dark spots and hyperpigmentation

● Prevent premature aging
● Preserve skin texture
● Brighten complexion

Best suited for: All skin types. However, if you're new to using vitamin C topically, I recommend
Starting with a lower concentration to avoid potential dryness and irritation.
Chemical exfoliants
This is a broad category that includes different types of acids, all of which work by removing the
outermost layer of dead skin cells. Cheng says some popular ones are:

● Glycolic acid
● Lactic acid
● Azelaic acid
● Salicylic acid
● Trichloroacetic acid

The primary purpose: Each of these ingredients is different and may be used for different skin
ailments, but overall, Cheng says these chemical exfoliants can:

● Help with skin cell turnover

● Brighten skin
● Improve skin texture
● Improve discoloration
● Increase collagen production
● Help with acne

Best suited for: Any skin type, depending on which specific ingredient you use. If you have dry skin,
opt for alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid or glycolic acids. Additionally, azelaic acid is mild enough
for sensitive skin and rosacea-prone skin. Stronger acids like salicylic acid and higher concentrations
are more suitable for oily skin