How to Identify Your Skin Type
- Oily Skin: Skincare routine for oily skin is prone to shine and breakouts with excess sebum production.
- Dry Skin: Feels tight, rough, and often flaky due to a lack of moisture.
- Combination Skin: Oily in the T-zone, dry or normal on the cheeks.
- Normal Skin: Well-balanced, smooth, and rarely sensitive or oily.
Essential Skincare Basics for All Skin Types
- Use a mild cleanser that suits your skin’s needs.
- Apply targeted serums to address hydration or skin concerns.
- Lock in moisture and protect with SPF daily.
Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
- Use a gel cleanser
- Pore-refining essence
- Niacinamide serum
- Oil-free moisturizer
- Matte SPF for balanced clarity.
Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
- Start with a creamy cleanser
- Hydrating essence,
- Hyaluronic acid serum
- Rich moisturizer
- Nourishing SPF to lock in moisture.
Skincare Routine for Combination Skin
- Cleanse gently
- Apply essence on oily zones
- Hydrate with lightweight serum
- Use dual-texture moisturizer
- Finish with lightweight SPF.
Skincare Routine for Normal Skin
- Maintain balance with a mild cleanser.
- Refreshing essence
- Antioxidant serum
- Gel-cream moisturizer
- broad-spectrum SPF
How to Identify Your Skin Type
● Oily Skin
Characterized by a slick or shiny appearance before midday, prone to breakouts and visible pores. If your skin looks oily shortly after cleansing, you likely fall into the oily category.
● Dry Skin
Tight, rough, or flaky sensations, especially after washing, indicate a lack of natural oils. Dry skin may feel dull and tingle easily.
● Combination Skin
A classic mix: oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and dry on the cheeks. Requires both oil control and hydration.
● Normal Skin
Balanced, elastic, seldom dry or oily. Rarely sensitive, and typically with a healthy tone and texture across the face.
Identifying your skin type is the first step to building a functional and effective routine for your needs.
Essential Skincare Basics for All Skin Types
- Cleanse with a gentle formula tailored to your skin type
- Treat with serums like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide
- Moisturize and apply broad-spectrum SPF every day
Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
For those with excess shine and breakouts, this skincare routine for oily skin helps control sebum and refine pores morning and night:
- Cleanser: Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Gel Cleanser removes oil without stripping hydration.
- Essence: Micro-Essence balances sebum production and tightens pores.
- Serum: Apply a niacinamide-infused serum to regulate shine.
- Moisturizer: Use the oil-free moisturizer for mattifying hydration.
- SPF: Finish with a sunscreen that has UV Perfect Matte & Fresh SPF 50, which keeps shine in check.
Consistency with your skincare routine for oily skin makes the difference in clarity, control, and long-term balance.
(Read our guide on Skincare Routine When Less Is More for amazing insights on a minimalist skincare routine)
Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
A deeply nourishing, occlusive skincare routine for dry skin helps restore moisture and softness:
- Cleanser: Use a milky or balm cleanser that maintains moisture.
- Hydration: Use a cleanser that offers powerful hydration even during cleansing.
- Serum: Apply a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid twice daily.
- Moisturizer: Revitalift Moisturizing Day Cream delivers rich, cream-level nourishment.
- Layering: Add an extra layer of hydration with the same serum after moisturizing.
- SPF: Use UV Defender Bright & Clear SPF 50+ to protect against environmental dryness.
Stick to this skincare routine for dry skin to lock in hydration and support moisture retention.
Skincare Routine for Combination Skin
This skincare routine for combination skin targets both oily and dry areas without compromise:
- Cleanser: Use Crystal Micro‑Essence or a gentle gel cleanser.
- Toning: Apply lightly to oily zones; avoid overdrying other areas.
- Serum: Distribute hyaluronic acid serum across the entire face for balanced hydration.
- Moisturizer: Use Crystal Gel Cream for oily zones and a richer cream for dry patches.
- Mask: Apply a bi-weekly hydrating mask for targeted zones.
- SPF: Opt for UV Defender Bright & Clear SPF 50+, which wears comfortably across mixed complexions.
When following this skincare routine for combination skin, you achieve harmony between shine control and hydration.
(Read our guide on 10 Amazing Skincare tips to Cure your Dull Skin for more details)
Skincare Routine for Normal Skin
This balanced skincare routine for normal skin maintains health and glow without losing tone or texture:
- Cleanser: A mild gel cleanser preserves balance.
- Essence/Tone: Crystal Micro Essence refreshes without drying.
- Serum: A light hyaluronic acid or antioxidant serum supports hydration.
- Moisturizer: Use Crystal Gel Cream for hydration without heaviness.
- SPF: Finish with UV Perfect SPF 50, lightweight and protective.
Use this skincare routine for normal skin twice for maintaining skin clarity and elasticity.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes
- Introduce actives (like retinol or vitamin C) slowly and according to your skin’s tolerance.
- Avoid over-exfoliation, especially for dry or sensitive complexions.
- Never skip sunscreen, even indoors or during cloudy days.
- Don’t overcomplicate. Consistency and precision with a few key products work better than a complicated regimen.
Still unsure about what your skin really needs? With dermatologist-backed solutions from the L’Oréal Paris skincare range and consistent daily habits, building the right routine is easier than you think. Use the Skin Genius Tool to personalize your regimen and find the best Moisturizer and skincare practices that truly match your skin type, because effective skincare is the one that works for you, every day.