Understand Me

Not sure whether your skin is normal, dry, oily or combination?

Answer 8 quick questions about how your skin usually looks and feels. You’ll get your likely skin type, what it generally means and simple next steps.

  1. Think about your skin on a typical day, without makeup.
  2. Pick the answer that fits most of the time.
  3. Get your result and practical ideas to explore.
  • About 2 minutes
  • 8 questions
  • Answers stay on your device

This quiz needs JavaScript turned on. You can still read the guide further down this page.

The four skin types at a glance

Most skin care advice starts with these four general types. Your skin can also change over time.

Normal skin

Feels comfortable most of the day, with little shine or flaking and pores that aren’t very noticeable.

Dry skin

Often feels tight after washing and can look dull, rough or flaky — especially in cold or dry weather.

Oily skin

Looks shiny across most of the face by midday, with pores that are easier to see.

Combination skin

Shiny in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), with cheeks that feel normal or dry.

How to check your skin type at home

You can get a good sense of your skin type with a simple “bare face” check:

  1. Wash gently

    Use a mild cleanser and lukewarm water, then pat your face dry.

  2. Skip products

    Don’t apply moisturizer, serum or makeup for now.

  3. Wait about 30 minutes

    Go about your normal routine and let your skin settle.

  4. Look and feel

    Tight or flaky suggests dry skin. Shine only on your forehead, nose and chin suggests combination skin. Shine almost everywhere suggests oily skin. Comfortable and even suggests normal skin.

The quiz above asks about the same signs, plus how your skin behaves through the day and across seasons. For a fuller walk-through, read how to tell what your skin type really is.

A simple routine for every skin type

A basic routine has three steps. Your skin type mostly changes which textures feel best, not the steps themselves.

  1. Cleanse

    Use a gentle cleanser once or twice a day. Dry skin often prefers creamy, non-foaming cleansers; oily skin often prefers gel or foaming ones.

  2. Moisturize

    Every skin type can benefit from moisturizer. Richer creams tend to suit dry skin; lightweight, oil-free lotions or gels tend to suit oily skin. With combination skin, you can use a lighter layer on your T-zone.

  3. Protect

    Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every morning, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology — even on cloudy days.

When you add something new, try one product at a time so you can tell how your skin responds.

Skin type vs. skin concerns

Your skin type describes how oily or dry your skin tends to be. Concerns such as sensitivity, breakouts, redness or dark spots are different — they can happen with any skin type.

When to see a professional

If you have ongoing irritation, painful breakouts, persistent redness or any change that worries you, a board-certified dermatologist can help. This quiz can’t diagnose skin conditions.

Common questions

Can my skin type change?

Yes. Skin often changes with the seasons, climate, age, hormones and the products you use. It’s worth retaking the quiz if your skin starts to feel different.

Why did I get an “also close” result?

Some answers point to more than one type — for example, oily and combination skin share a lot of signs. The “also close” type is worth reading about too.

Is this quiz a diagnosis?

No. It’s general educational guidance based on how you describe your skin. It can’t detect skin conditions or replace advice from a qualified professional.

Do you save my answers?

No. The quiz runs entirely in your browser. Your answers aren’t sent to Loviax or stored anywhere.