Choosing skincare is much easier once you know your skin type. It decides which cleanser, moisturizer, and treatments will suit you. This guide explains the five common types and a simple test to find yours.
The bare-face test
Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser and apply nothing else. Wait about an hour, then notice how your skin feels. Tight and flaky suggests dry skin. Shiny all over suggests oily skin. Shiny in the T-zone but normal elsewhere suggests combination skin. Comfortable and even suggests normal skin. Stinging or redness suggests sensitive skin, which can overlap with any of the others.
The five skin types
| Type | Signs | Riverstone picks |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Comfortable, even, few concerns | Quartz Gel Cleanser, Slate Daily Moisturizer |
| Oily | Shine, visible pores, prone to breakouts | Quartz Gel Cleanser, Niacinamide 10% Serum |
| Dry | Tightness, flaking, dull look | Clay & Cedar Balm, Riverbed Recovery Cream |
| Combination | Oily T-zone, normal or dry cheeks | Quartz Gel Cleanser, Hyaluronic Pebble Serum |
| Sensitive | Redness, stinging, easily reactive | Spring Water Toning Mist, Mineral Shield SPF 30 |
Dehydrated is not the same as dry
Dry skin lacks oil; dehydrated skin lacks water. Even oily skin can be dehydrated. If your skin is shiny but still feels tight, you likely need more hydration, not less oil — a humectant serum like the Hyaluronic Pebble Serum helps here.
Skin type can change
Climate, season, age, and hormones all shift skin type over time. It is worth repeating the bare-face test once or twice a year and adjusting your routine. Once you know your type, read Building a Simple Skincare Routine and browse the Shop.
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