Understanding Your Skin Type: A Beginner’s Guide

Your first step to choosing the right skincare — backed by science

Before you can build the perfect skincare routine or create a product line that truly delivers, there’s one thing you must understand: skin type. Whether you’re shopping for your personal routine or planning your own skincare brand, understanding the unique needs of different skin types is essential.

In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of skin types, how to identify yours, and what kind of ingredients or products work best — all from a formulator’s perspective.

Why Skin Type Matters

Your skin type determines:

•  How much oil your skin produces
•  How your skin reacts to ingredients
• What kind of texture or finish works best for you
•  Which ingredients could irritate or benefit your skin

This knowledge helps consumers choose the right products — and helps skincare brand founders create products that work.

The 5 Basic Skin Types

 

 

1.
Normal Skin

 

Balanced, not too oily or dry. Few breakouts. Small pores.

Best ingredients:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Squalane
• Niacinamide (for maintenance)

 

2.
Oily Skin

 

Shiny appearance, especially in the T-zone. Prone to breakouts and enlarged pores.

Best ingredients:

• Salicylic acid
• Niacinamide
• Lightweight hydrators like aloe or gel-based moisturisers 

 

3.
Dry Skin

Feels tight or flaky. May be dull or rough. Prone to irritation.

Best ingredients:

• Glycerin
• Ceramides
• Fatty alcohols & rich plant oils (e.g. jojoba, avocado)

 

4.
Combination Skin

 

Oily in some areas (usually T-zone), dry or normal in others.

Best ingredients:

• Balancing actives like niacinamide
• Targeted products for different zones
• Gentle exfoliants like lactic acid

 

5.
Sensitive Skin

 

Easily irritated, reactive to new products or harsh climates.

Best ingredients:

• Panthenol
• Centella Asiatica
• Minimalist formulas with few active ingredients

How We Formulate for Each Skin Type

As a skincare brand and formulation partner, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Each product we create is developed with skin functionality in mind — not just trends. When formulating for other brands, we tailor ingredient systems to target their audience’s skin needs.

Want a cleanser for oily skin that doesn’t strip the barrier? Or a moisturizer for sensitive skin with zero fragrance and max comfort? That’s our specialty.

Don’t Know Your Skin Type? Try This:

 

• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Don’t apply anything after.
• Wait 1 hour.
• Look in the mirror:
  
• Shiny all over = Oily
• Tight/dull = Dry
• Shiny in T-zone only = Combination
• Balanced = Normal
• Burning/itching = Sensitive
  

Final Thoughts

 

Whether you’re building your dream skincare routine or launching your own line, understanding skin types is your foundation. At Tends Labs, we blend science and strategy to create skincare that works — for every skin type.

Want help formulating your own product line?

 

Get in touch with our lab team at info@tends.co.za. We’ll help you create a product that speaks to your customer’s skin needs — and actually works.