Every skin type is unique—and your skincare routine should be, too. Whether you're dealing with dryness, oiliness, sensitivity, or a mix of all three, choosing the best skincare routine for your skin type is key to maintaining a healthy, glowing complexion. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to identify your skin type and recommend the best skincare products tailored to your specific needs.
How to Tell What Skin Type You Have
Understanding your skin type is the first step in building the best skincare routine for you.
Dry Skin: What Is It and What Causes It?
How to Tell:
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Flaky or rough texture
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Feels tight or uncomfortable
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Appears dull or dehydrated
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Lacks visible oil or shine
What Causes Dry Skin:
Dry skin is often caused by environmental factors like wind, cold temperatures, or low humidity. Genetics, aging, and harsh skincare products can also play a role.
Oily Skin: What Is It and What Causes It?
How to Tell:
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Shiny or greasy appearance
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Enlarged pores
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Frequent breakouts or blackheads
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Makeup slides off quickly
What Causes Oily Skin:
Hormonal fluctuations, genetics, and even over-washing can increase sebum production. High humidity and poor diet may also contribute.
Combination Skin: What Is It and What Causes It?
How to Tell:
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Oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)
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Dry or normal on the cheeks
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Occasional breakouts with dry patches
What Causes Combination Skin:
This skin type is caused by an imbalance in oil production, often influenced by genetics or climate changes.
Sensitive Skin: What Is It and What Causes It?
How to Tell:
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Redness, burning, or itching
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Easily irritated by new products
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Breakouts triggered by harsh ingredients
What Causes Sensitive Skin:
A weakened skin barrier, allergies, and environmental factors can all contribute. Genetics also play a major role.
Best Skincare Products for Each Skin Type
Once you know your skin type, you can build a routine with the best products for your skin type to address your unique needs.
Best Skincare Products for Dry Skin
Best Soap: Look for moisturizing soaps that retain natural oils like our bestselling Pure Goat Milk Bar Soap.
Best Cleanser: Cream or oil-based cleansers like the Micellar Milk Froth Cleansing Gel & Makeup Remover work best to gently cleanse without stripping moisture.
Best Serum: Choose hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or glycerin like our Oh! Mega Milk Barrier Boosting Facial Oil.
Best Eye Creams: Reach for a rich, hydrating formula like the Mushroom Milk Eye Cream to help soften fine lines and nourish the delicate under-eye area.
Best Moisturizer: Go for emollient-rich creams with shea butter and ceramides like the Pure Whipped Body Cream to help seal in hydration and repair the skin barrier.
Derm-Backed Tip: According to the AAD, dry skin benefits from humectants and barrier-repairing moisturizers.
Best Skincare Products for Oily Skin
Best Soap: Opt for oil-control or foaming soaps like the Pure Goat Milk Bar Soap to help balance the skin microbiome.
Best Cleanser: Gel cleansers with salicylic acid like Milk Wash Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser help reduce shine and breakouts.
Best Serum: Lightweight, oil-free options like Milk Drops Ceramide Serum work best to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier.
Best Eye Creams: Use lightweight, non-greasy formulas like the Mushroom Milk Eye Cream to smooth fine lines and nourish the under-eye area.
Best Moisturizer: Go with mattifying, oil-free options like the Bloom Cream Face Moisturizer.
Derm-Backed Tip: Harsh cleansers can backfire—stripping skin often causes more oil production (AAD).
Best Skincare Products for Combination Skin
Best Soap: Look for gentle formulas that balance dry and oily areas like the Pure Goat Milk Bar Soap.
Best Cleanser: Mild foaming cleansers that don’t over-dry are your best bet. Reach for our Micellar Milk Froth Gel Cleanser to remove makeup and dirt without disrupting the microbiome.
Best Serum: Use balanced formulas that hydrate without heaviness. Our Milk Shake Facial Toner Mist blends a toning phase with a hydrating phase to keep skin balanced all day.
Best Eye Creams: Lightweight hydrators like Mushroom Milk Eye Cream are suitable for both zones.
Best Moisturizer: Lightweight moisturizers like Bloom Cream Face Moisturizer are a great choice because they hydrate without clogging pores.
Derm-Backed Tip: Target treatments by zone—lighter products on oily areas, richer ones where skin is dry (JDD).
Best Skincare Products for Sensitive Skin
Best Soap: Use fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formulas like the fragrance-free Pure Bar Soap.
Best Cleanser: Choose gentle, fragrance-free options like the Milk Scrub Oat & Goat Milk Exfoliating Cleanser. This award-winning formula uses jojoba beads to gently exfoliate without irritation, while calming oat milk helps soothe the skin.
Best Eye Creams: Use products without fragrances or alcohol like the Mushroom Milk Eye Cream to smooth fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.
Best Moisturizer: Go for barrier-repair creams with peptides and humectants like our Milk RX Advanced Better Aging Cream. This multilayer moisturizer helps deeply hydrate and firm the skin—without any irritation.
Derm-Backed Tip: JDD research suggests sensitive skin needs products that restore the skin barrier and avoid harsh actives.
Conclusion
The best skincare routine starts with knowing your skin type. Whether you have dry, oily, combination, or sensitive skin, choosing the right products makes all the difference in your results. Pay attention to how your skin reacts to products, adapt your routine as needed, and always prioritize ingredients that support your unique skin needs.
Still not sure where to start? Explore our dermatologist-approved skincare collections tailored for every skin type. Your healthiest skin is just a few steps away!