The Ultimate Guide to Skin Types & Finding Yours

Understanding your skin type is key to achieving a healthy, radiant complexion. Using the wrong skincare products can cause issues like dryness, irritation, breakouts, or excessive oiliness. When you know your skin type, you can build a routine that works with your skin rather than against it.

With Ireland's unpredictable weather, from cold, damp winters to bursts of humidity in summer, your skin type might change slightly with the seasons. This guide will help you identify your skin type and adjust your routine accordingly.

1. Dry Skin

Dry skin often feels tight, rough, or flakey and lacks the necessary moisture to maintain a healthy skin barrier. It can be prone to irritation, redness, and fine lines due to dehydration.

Common Causes of Dry Skin:

• Cold and windy Irish winters that strip away natural oils

• Central heating in homes and offices, which dries out skin

• Not drinking enough water, especially with high tea and coffee consumption

• Alcohol consumption, which dehydrates the skin (yes, those pints of Guinness do have an effect!)

• Overuse of harsh cleansers that foam too much

How to Care for Dry Skin:

1. Use a hydrating, creamy cleanser to lock in moisture

2. Apply a nourishing moisturiser with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides

3. Avoid long, hot showers. They might feel great on a cold morning but will strip your skin

4. Use a humidifier in winter to counteract dry indoor heating

5. Drink plenty of water to offset dehydration from alcohol and caffeine

Recommended Products for Dry Skin:

• IMAGE Skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Ageing Serum – Perfect for Irish winters as it provides intense hydration

• Environ Focus Care Moisture+ Hydrating Oil Capsules – A powerful moisture boost to fight that tight, flaky feeling

2. Combination Skin

Combination skin is a mix of different skin types, often featuring an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) with dry or normal cheeks. This skin type can be tricky to manage since different areas have different needs.

Characteristics of Combination Skin:

• Oily T-zone but dry or normal cheeks

• Prone to breakouts in the oily areas but dryness in the cheeks

• Pores may be more visible in the T-zone but smaller on the cheeks

• Skin can change with the seasons. Oilier in summer, drier in winter

How to Care for Combination Skin:

1. Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser that cleanses without over-drying

2. Apply a light moisturiser in oily areas and a richer cream on dry areas

3. Spot-treat problem areas with different products

4. Exfoliate two to three times a week to balance oil and unclog pores

Recommended Products for Combination Skin:

• Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel – A balancing cleanser for mixed skin types

3. Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin reacts easily to skincare products, environmental factors, and allergens. It may appear red, itchy, or inflamed and can feel uncomfortable when exposed to harsh ingredients.

Common Triggers of Sensitive Skin:

• Cold winds and damp air, which can lead to redness and irritation

• Hard water, especially in cities, which can dry out and irritate the skin

• Fragranced skincare products, which can trigger reactions

• Alcohol consumption, particularly wine and spirits, which can cause facial flushing

• Dietary factors like spicy foods or dairy, which may worsen sensitivity

How to Care for Sensitive Skin:

1. Stick to fragrance-free, hypoallergenic skincare products

2. Avoid over-exfoliating. A gentle approach is best

3. Opt for calming ingredients like chamomile, oat extract, and aloe vera 

4. Apply SPF daily (yes, even in Ireland. UV damage happens even on cloudy days!)

5. Be mindful of alcohol and spicy foods, which can trigger redness

Recommended Products for Sensitive Skin:

• Q+A Chamomile Night Cream – A calming night cream that hydrates while soothing irritation

• Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream – Helps calm reactive skin without irritation

4. Normal Skin

Normal skin is well-balanced, meaning it is neither too dry nor too oily. It has a smooth texture, minimal sensitivity, and an even tone.

Characteristics of Normal Skin:

• Small or barely visible pores

• No frequent breakouts or dry patches

• A natural, healthy glow

• Responds well to most skincare products

How to Care for Normal Skin:

1. Keep your routine simple. A good cleanser, moisturiser, and SPF are key

2. Use a lightweight exfoliator two to three times per week to keep skin smooth

3. Stay hydrated to keep your skin fresh and plump

4. Protect against early signs of ageing with vitamin C serums

Recommended Products for Normal Skin:

• IMAGE Skincare Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser – A gentle cleanser that keeps skin balanced

• Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser – A lightweight moisturiser that hydrates without heaviness

5. Oily Skin

Oily skin produces excess sebum, leading to a shiny complexion and a higher likelihood of acne and clogged pores. It is more prone to blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts due to overactive oil glands.

Common Causes of Oily Skin

• Increased humidity in summer, which can make oil production worse

• Using harsh cleansers that strip the skin, causing it to produce even more oil

• Heavy, pore-clogging makeup that is not suited to oily skin

• Dietary factors like high dairy and processed sugar intake

How to Care for Oily Skin:

1. Use a gentle, foaming cleanser that removes excess oil without over-drying

2. Look for oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturisers to keep skin hydrated without clogging pores

3. Use clay masks or salicylic acid treatments to absorb excess oil

4. Avoid over-washing. Stripping away natural oils makes skin produce more oil

Recommended Products for Oily Skin:

• Murad Clarifying Cleanser – A great daily cleanser for keeping breakouts at bay

• The Inkey List Niacinamide

How to Determine Your Skin Type

Not sure which category your skin falls into? Here are two simple ways to figure it out.

1. The Bare-Face Test

This is a quick and easy method you can do at home.

Steps:

1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry.

2. Leave your skin bare—don’t apply any products—and wait for about one hour.

3. After an hour, examine how your skin feels:

• Tight or flaky? → You have dry skin.

• Red, irritated, or uncomfortable? → You likely have sensitive skin.

• Smooth and comfortable, not too dry or oily? → You probably have normal skin.

• Shiny all over, especially in humid Irish summers? → You have oily skin.

• Oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) but dry elsewhere? → You have combination skin.

2. The Blotting Paper Test

If you want an even clearer answer, try this method using blotting paper or a tissue.

Steps:

1. After washing your face, wait 30 minutes without applying any skincare.

2. Take a piece of blotting paper or a tissue and press it gently against different areas of your face.

3. Check the results:

• No oil at all? → Dry skin.

• A small amount of oil but nothing excessive? → Normal skin.

• Oil in the T-zone but not on your cheeks? → Combination skin.

• Oil all over the face? → Oily skin.

Find Your Skincare Match at Millies

Once you know your skin type, you can build a routine that truly works for you. Factors like Ireland’s ever-changing weather, indoor heating during winter, diet, alcohol intake, and hormonal changes can all impact your skin over time. At Millies, we have expertly curated products to suit every skin type, so you can keep your complexion balanced, healthy, and glowing—no matter the season.

Not sure where to start? Explore our skincare range or get in touch for personalised skincare advice!