When it comes to taking care of your skin (and most other things in life), knowledge is power. Determining your skin type can help you figure out which products will best suit your skincare needs and help arm you with the information you’ll need to battle acne, fight wrinkles and make every day a good complexion day..
Believe it or not, but there are items all around your home or office that can help you determine your skin type. Here are two simple at-home tests you can use to help figure out if you have oily skin, normal skin, combination skin or dry skin.
The Tape Test
If you can find a roll of regular clear tape (like Scotch tape or what you use to wrap gifts), you can determine your skin type. Here’s how to perform a simple skin type test with a piece of tape:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser (like Cetaphil).
- Lightly dry off with a towel and don’t apply moisturizer or any products.
- Wait 20 minutes.
- Take a piece of tape and stick it across your face from earlobe to earlobe and over the bridge of your nose.
- Make funny faces in the mirror, send Snapchats of yourself to your girlfriends, or just wait for 3 minutes.
- Remove the tape and look at the sticky side.
If you have normal skin, tape will likely stick and unstick easily. If you have oily skin, the tape might slide around on as oil prevents it from sticking directly to your skin. If you have dry skin, the tape might look cloudy from dry skin flakes removed with the tape.
The Tissue Test
Chances are you have a box of regular tissues in your home. They’re good for much more than catching a sneeze or blotting your lipstick. Here’s how to use a tissue to determine your skin type:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser (like Cetaphil).
- Lightly dry off with a towel and don’t apply moisturizer or any products.
- Wait an hour.
- Lightly blot you’re your entire face with the tissue.
If the tissue absorbs no oil and your face feels healthy, you likely have normal skin. If you see looks oily or your face is shiny after blotting, chances are you have oily skin. If your skin feels tight or is flaky after the hour, you likely have dry skin. If the tissue absorbs oil in your T-Zone after the hour but other spots feel dry, you likely have combination skin.
Now that you know your skin type, you have the first piece of information needed to create a customized skincare plan to get your complexion glowing. Consider taking the next step and scheduling a consultation with Dr. Doppelt or a member of his staff for further information and your individualized treatment plan.
For more information on the skincare products that are right for you, give us a call at (865) 474-8800 or schedule an appointment online.
