Skin types

Skin differs a lot from one person to the next. Some people find their face turns shiny by the end of the day. Others feel it go tight after washing.

Dr Jonathan Kentley is a consultant dermatologist. Writing for the British Skin Foundation in February 2026, he describes five skin types: oily, dry, normal, combination and sensitive.

What sets your skin type

Dr Kentley writes that skin types are mostly set by the amount of oil the skin makes. Its proper name is sebum. The amount is decided by your genes.

Your skin type can still shift over a lifetime. Skin may get oilier during puberty, and drier during the menopause. So look again at how you care for your skin from time to time.

Working out your own

Here is Dr Kentley's test. Wash your face and pat it dry gently. Then wait 30 minutes without putting anything on it, and look at your skin.

Dry skin will feel tight and dry straight away. Oily skin will start to look shiny, and blotting paper shows the extra oil more clearly. With combination skin, the forehead and nose start to look oily while the rest of the face stays matte.

Pressing a blotting sheet on different parts of your face can help you map out each area.

Oily skin

Oily skin makes extra oil. It can feel shiny or greasy, especially towards the end of the day. Dr Kentley says people with oily skin may be more prone to spots and blackheads.

A lighter moisturiser, such as a gel or a lotion, usually suits oily skin better than a thick one.

Dry skin

Dry skin tends to make less oil. It can often feel dry, tight or flaky.

Dr Kentley says dry skin needs more moisture than the other types, and some people moisturise several times a day. A gentle cleanser that hydrates can help. Thicker creams are sometimes needed, particularly in winter.

Avoiding long, hot showers may help the skin lose less water.

Normal skin

Normal skin is mostly clear, with none of the features of the other types. Dr Kentley points out that very few people keep normal skin for their whole life.

Combination skin

With combination skin, different parts of your face behave differently. The forehead and nose may make too much oil. That area is known as the T-zone. The other areas may be normal or dry.

Dr Kentley says different parts of the face may need different care. A heavier moisturiser may help the dry areas, and a lotion or gel may be better on the oily ones. It can take some time to settle on a routine.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is the one type that isn't about the amount of oil. Some people with sensitive skin feel burning or itching after putting a product on. Some get a rash. Dr Kentley notes that sensitive skin can also come from a skin condition such as rosacea or eczema.

It helps to avoid harsh products that might irritate sensitive skin. For very sensitive skin, it may also help to avoid products with fragrance.

It can help to try a new product on your forearm for a few days before you put it on your face.

Care for every type

Dr Kentley says most skin types do well with cleansing, and often a moisturiser. He suggests everyone cleanses gently at least once a day, and wears a sunscreen every day, to lower the risk of skin cancer and of skin ageing faster from the sun.

The NHS says you can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy. It advises a sunscreen of at least factor 30, with at least 4-star UVA protection.

When to ask a pharmacist or a GP

Spots, itching and redness can be signs of a skin condition. The NHS has pages on the common ones.

For acne, the NHS says a pharmacist can recommend treatments. It suggests seeing a GP if treating it yourself is not helping, or if the spots are many, deep, painful or leaving scars. See a GP too if the skin looks infected, or if acne is affecting your mental health.

For small areas of eczema that are dry and slightly itchy, the NHS says a pharmacist can give advice. If the eczema is more severe, it suggests seeing a GP.

Among the first signs of rosacea, the NHS lists redness across the face, neck and chest that comes and goes, and burning or stinging when using water or skincare products. It suggests seeing a GP if you have symptoms of rosacea.

Soaps and detergents are among the most common causes of contact dermatitis, a type of eczema. The NHS suggests speaking to a pharmacist if it is troubling you. It advises seeing a GP if the symptoms don't go away, keep coming back or are severe.

The NHS pages on eczema and rosacea also list the signs that need an urgent GP appointment or a call to NHS 111.

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