Learn how to tell what your skin type is and to set skin goals to find the best skincare products for you.
Are you intimidated by the vast number of skincare products available? So many of the bottles sound like a foreign language. If you immediately feel uncomfortable when you step in the cosmetics section of your favorite department store, you’re not alone! So many women (and men!) struggle to find skincare products that work for them simply because they don’t know where to start.
It’s easy to know what clothes fit your body type, but it’s a lot harder to know what skincare products fit your skin type. Just like size 00 skinny jeans aren’t going to fit everyone the same (and that’s okay!), a cleansing oil isn’t going to work with everyone! So, just like you need to know your clothes size when you go shopping, you need to know your skin type and texture to find the best skincare products for you!
Type matters
Do you have dry, oily, sensitive, or combination skin?
If you’re not sure, you can do a little test. Pick up a blotting sheet and blot your face throughout the day. Blot your forehead and nose as those are the areas that tend to accumulate the most oil. If the sheet comes back with little to no oil, you most likely have dry skin. If the sheet comes back with several large oil spots or is visibly wet, you probably have oily skin! If you’re a little bit in between, you probably have combination skin. And lastly, you can’t test for sensitive skin with a blotting sheet, but you probably already know if you have sensitive skin!
Set goals
Alright, now that you know your skin type, decide what your goals are. Do you want to clear up blemishes? Do you want to soften wrinkles and fine lines? Do you want to improve hydration? Do you want to protect from the sun? If you’re not sure what your goal is, then it doesn’t really matter what products you use. It can be as simple as wanting to feel clean or brightening your complexion!
Jump in
Now, if you feel comfortable enough to walk into Sephora and look for products that fit your skin type and fulfill your skin goal, then go right ahead! If you still need some extra assistance, there are many online quizzes that will match you with products that will work for you. Sephora has a great quiz that will lead you to a ton of quality products of all types! Allure also has a quiz that will give you a personalized routine and regimen.
Skincare quizzes can give you a great starting point. After you try out the recommended products, you can decide what you like and what’s lacking and customize your routine from there. Don’t be discouraged if your first routine doesn’t work for you. You might need to try several different routines before you find the one that you like! Be consistent and persistent and you’ll find the best skincare products for you!
