Your Guide to Choosing the Best Products for Your Skin Type

Choosing the best products for your skin type can be as easy as taking a stroll through the beauty section of a department store. However, it can also be challenging since there are so many options to choose from.

Some products claim to be able to do certain things, but fail to deliver. And some products can do more harm than good to your skin! You may be wondering “do I need to buy the most expensive products? Will they work better than the others?”

Or maybe you already know that it's more important to look for the ingredients and formulations that will work best for the type of skin that you have, but keep reading to learn more! 

Get to Know the Skin Care Essentials

Trying out various products is fun, but in choosing the best products for your skin type, it'll be best if you first know about the things that you actually need. So let's look at the products that are the foundation of any routine, as well as why they're important.

Cleansers

A facial cleanser removes surface oil and residue. Many modern washes use non-soap surfactants; oils, balms and micellar waters have different directions. Select around removal needs and tolerance using the cleanser overview or the skin-type comparison.

Remove makeup and sunscreen comfortably in the evening. A second cleanse is optional when one appropriate product works.

Exfoliators

Exfoliation is optional. A suitable product may improve surface roughness, while an appropriately labeled salicylic-acid product may fit acne care. Do not scrub irritated flakes or assume fruit enzymes are safe for every skin type. Read how to exfoliate your face and use the facial-exfoliator buying guide for the dedicated comparison.

AAD guidance emphasizes choosing around skin condition and other products. AHAs also require sun-sensitivity precautions.

Toners

Toner is an optional step, usually used after cleansing. A hydrating toner does not replace makeup removal, and not every toner has an acne-treatment role.

Ingredients determine whether a toner hydrates, exfoliates or temporarily changes surface oil. It does not permanently close pores or universally restore pH. See what facial toner does.

Use the facial-toner buying guide to choose by skin type and tolerance. A botanical label is not proof that a product is gentle.

Serums

Serums are fairly new, compared to the other skin care essentials on this list. However, they can make a huge difference to the texture and appearance of your skin. They're liquids with a high concentration of active ingredients designed to solve specific skin issues.

You'll find a wide variety of serums, from lightweight, water-based hyaluronic acid to potent oils. All have uses, but are designed for specific concerns.

By choosing the best products for your skin type and the concerns that you have, you will be able to get the results that you want – whether it’s brightening your complexion or saturating it with hydration.

Moisturizers

In order for you to have healthy skin, it's important that you moisturize every day. Moisturizing can help improve your skin’s appearance as long as you make sure that you're choosing the best products for your skin type. Choosing one that is both non-comedogenic (will not clog your pores) and rich in vitaminsis the goal. 

Even oily skin types benefit from moisturizers, but the key is picking one designed for your skin type with ingredients that will target your needs.

Sunscreen

Using an effective sunscreen is important not only when you are about to go to the beach on a hot summer day, but also if you are simply running a quick errand outside. Sunscreen can protect you from the harmful rays of the sun.

Apart from that, the formulation can also serve to smooth, soften, and nourish your skin. Using daily SPF is especially important when using chemical exfoliates/peels, retinols, and certain medications as it protects from sun damage that results in premature aging and uneven skin tone.

Tips for Choosing the Best Products for Your Skin Type

There are 5 main types of skin categories most people can identify with: normal, dry, combination, oily, and sensitive. Here are the things you need to know about each type, how to care for your skin, and what you should look for in choosing the best products for your skin type:

Normal Skin

Normal skin generally means that the skin is well-balanced. The skin is not too oily and also not too dry, and its overall moisture is balanced. Normal skin is characterized by fine pores, smooth and soft texture, no/very few blemishes, and not being particularly sensitive to changes.

People who have normal skin are lucky as it is generally easy to care for. If you have normal skin, choosing the best products for your skin type can be a breeze! For you, it's mainly about maintaining a healthy skin barrier and protecting from environmental fluctuations.

How to Choose the Best Products for Normal Skin

If your skin isn't giving you any problems to solve (lucky!), choosing the best products for your skin type is just a matter of preference, although you should still try to avoid irritating ingredients or comodegenic (pore-clogging) products.

When what you're doing is working, stick with it. If you feel that your skin gets a bit dry and flaky sometimes, choose products that are meant for normal to dry skin. Meanwhile, if you feel oily sometimes, choose products designed for normal to oily skin.

Just try to avoid products with aggravating ingredients. As much as possible, choose ones with gentle formulas as you want to keep your normal skin problem-free! 

• Cleanser: Choose a mild wash by removal needs and comfort, rather than a sulfate-free label alone. See the focused cleanser comparison.
• Optional exfoliator: If your skin is comfortable and you have no remaining texture goal, you may not need one. Use the exfoliation guide before adding an optional step.
• Optional toner: Choose a suitable formula for this skin type. Skip it if your existing routine is comfortable or the extra step irritates.
• Serum - Serums can be very useful for delivering targeted ingredients to your skin. Normal skin that verges on oily might prefer gel-based hyaluronic acid type serums for lightweight moisture and anti-aging. Drier and more mature types might prefer serums with lightweight oils like argan, sunflower or prickly pear.
• Moisturizer - Daytime moisturizers should be lightweight and not too heavy on the skin. Night creams can be heavier, but free of comedogenic ingredients. Oils considered good keeping normal skin healthy include jojoba, cherry kernel, squalane, safflower, argan and others.
• Sunscreen - Ideally, this should be included in your moisturizer. If not, look for a lighterweight formula that doesn't feel greasy or oily.

Dry Skin

Dry skin produces less oil than the normal type. Because of this, skin finds it difficult to retain moisture and maintain a protective barrier against external elements. This can make it prone to irritation, blemishes, and flakiness, and make wrinkles more apparent. Dry skin comes in varying degrees and forms.

If you have dry skin, first make sure you're drinking plenty of water and eating healthy fats. If your dry skin is seasonal, adding a humidifier to your bedroom might also be helpful. In choosing the best products for your skin type, you have to look for products that will be able to provide your skin with the hydration that it needs. 

How to Choose the Best Products for Dry Skin

• Cleanser: Compare mild cream and gentle foaming washes. A second oil-cleansing step is not necessary to restore moisture. See the focused cleanser comparison.
• Optional exfoliator: Address uncomfortable dryness first. The dry-skin exfoliator guide explains when a formula may help surface roughness and when to skip it.
• Optional toner: Choose a suitable formula for this skin type. Skip it if your existing routine is comfortable or the extra step irritates.
• Serum – look for a serum with rich natural oils and herbal extracts that can help repair, nourish and reinforce the skin barrier.
• Moisturizer: Choose a comfortable formula with humectants and emollients. Lactic acid on a label does not by itself establish suitability for irritated dry skin.
• Sunscreen – look for a sunscreen that offers a high SPF while also moisturizing skin. Though you want moisture in this product as it sits on skin for many hours at a time, a sunscreen shouldn't feel greasy or heavy. You want a sunscreen that can fit effortlessly into your routine and not cause any new skin concerns. 

Oily Skin

Oily skin has an overproduction of sebum – a condition known as seborrhea. It is characterized by visibly enlarged pores, thick skin, and glossy shine. It is also prone to comedones and acne. In choosing the best products for oily skin, you'll be looking for ones that are cleansing, lightweight, and gentle.

How to Choose the Best Products for Oily Skin

• Cleanser: Choose a comfortable wash for surface oil. Oiliness alone does not require a medicated cleanser or prove that a tight wash makes the glands overcompensate. See the focused cleanser comparison.
• Optional exfoliator: For actual comedones, compare salicylic-acid formats for oily skin and clogged pores. A clay mask does not automatically contain an acne-treatment concentration of salicylic acid.
• Optional toner: Choose a suitable formula for this skin type. Skip it if your existing routine is comfortable or the extra step irritates.
• Serum – try a serum that offers revitalizing ingredients that helps to minimize pores and remove excess oil while calming any inflammation from acne. Aloe, allantoin, chamomile, lavender and other calming botanicals can help keep redness and oiliness in check.
• Moisturizer: Choose by comfort, finish and tolerance. Plant oils do not establish or reset the skin’s pH, and a lightweight texture does not guarantee that a product cannot cause breakouts. See the skin-pH guide.
• Sunscreen – choose a lightweight and oil-free sunscreen. If you have oily skin, it’s best to find one with a gel formula and matte finish.

Combination Skin

Combination skin can be characterized by an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and normal-to-dry cheeks. Generally considered the most common. For combination skin, the key is balancing both the oily and dry areas of the face. 

How to Choose the Best Products for Combination Skin

• Cleanser: Choose one mild wash that your drier areas tolerate. Rosehip oil does not establish the pH of a finished cleanser. See the focused cleanser comparison.
• Optional exfoliator: Choose around each area’s condition and the product label; dry cheeks do not need the same active load as congested areas. See exfoliator selection by goal.
• Optional toner: Choose a suitable formula for this skin type. Skip it if your existing routine is comfortable or the extra step irritates.
• Serum – choose a serum that is light enough for the oily parts, but also powerful enough to moisturize the dry parts. Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient for non-oily moisture, and oils like jojoba, evening primrose, and prickly pear help balance.
• Moisturizer – you can actually use two types of moisturizers – one for the oily parts of your skin, and another for the dry parts. You may also wish to use a light serum all over, then just apply moisturizer to the drier areas of your face. Or you can simply choose one with balancing properties. Moisturizers containing lavender can help balance your skin.
• Sunscreen – pick a lightweight sunscreen that leaves a matte finish, but includes a few ingredients to help hydrate the skin. 

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin may sting, itch or react to products. Keep selection focused on your known triggers and a simple, tolerated formula; natural origin and preservative-free marketing do not guarantee safety. See the sensitive-skin guide.

How to Choose the Best Products for Sensitive Skin

• Cleanser: Check fragrance, known triggers and the full formula; natural surfactants and botanicals are not universally non-irritating. See the focused cleanser comparison.
• Optional exfoliator: Skip acids and scrubs during irritation. The sensitive-skin guide explains why lactic acid, mandelic acid and fruit enzymes are not automatically suitable.
• Optional toner: Choose a suitable formula for this skin type. Skip it if your existing routine is comfortable or the extra step irritates.
• Serum – choose a serum with minimal ingredients that can help repair your skin barrier. One with a simple blend of aloe vera and hyaluronic acid without fragrances or harsh preservatives can provide soothing moisture.
• Moisturizer – try to find one that is free of fragrances. If you want a natural product, choose one that has soothing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile. Pure aloe vera as well as oils like tamanu, peach kernel, almond, or papaya seed oil can also add moisture with low risk of irritation.
• Sunscreen – avoid sunscreens that have Pare-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) in the formulation as well as nanoparticles or fragrances. Mineral-block sunscreens are your best options.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Products for Your Skin Type

We've all seen skin care products that make claims that are too good to be true, such as claiming to cure your acne in 3 days, or saying they can plump up your dry skin after just one use. Choosing the best products for your skin type requires you to be careful of such “miracle products.”

Always select a product that is made by a reputable manufacturer that you can trust. There is no universal adjustment period. Persistent irritation is not something to endure for a promised result.

You will have more success in choosing the best products for your skin type if you conduct research prior to buying. Read product labels and see what their active ingredients are. If the ingredients are unfamiliar to you, read about them first and find out how they will affect your particular skin type.

Additionally, do not hesitate to consult with your dermatologist about ingredients or a certain product first. Choosing the best products for your skin type will be easier for you if you know what will work for your skin and what will only cause damage to it.

Cleansing in this routine

See the facial-cleanser guide for cleanser formats and selection.