How to Identify Your Skin Type (Simple At-Home Test)

Tight, shiny, flaky, or just... never quite right? You've probably been buying the wrong skincare for years, and it isn't your fault.

So many of us shop by the prettiness of the bottle or a friend's rave review, then feel let down when our skin doesn't play along. The secret nobody tells you is beautifully simple: once you know your skin type, everything else falls into place.

The best part? You don't need a dermatologist, a fancy gadget, or a big budget to figure it out. You just need a clean face, a little patience, and about half an hour tonight. Let's work it out together, so you can finally shop with confidence.

First, the simple bare-face test

This is the easiest way to "read" your skin, and you can do it at home this evening.

1. Cleanse your face gently and pat dry.
2. Wait 30 minutes. Don't apply anything, no toner, no moisturiser, nothing. Just let your skin settle to its natural state.
3. Check in. Notice how your skin feels and looks across your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin.

Want to be extra sure? Press a clean blotting sheet (or a soft tissue) against different areas of your face and hold it up to the light. The amount of oil it picks up, and where, tells you almost everything you need to know.

Now let's match what you're seeing to one of the five types.

Normal skin

Lucky you. Normal skin feels comfortable and balanced, not tight, not greasy. Your blotting sheet picks up little to no oil, your pores look small, and big flare-ups are rare.

• What you need: A gentle, everyday routine to protect that lovely balance. Keep it simple and consistent, that's the whole trick.

Dry skin

After the 30 minutes, dry skin can feel tight, and you might spot flakiness or fine lines. Your blotting sheet stays fairly clean. If you're a Highveld-winter girl, or you sit in an air-conditioned office all day, this one's very common here in South Africa.

• What you need: Comforting, hydrating steps that help your skin hold onto moisture, never anything that leaves you feeling stripped after cleansing.

Oily skin

Oily skin often looks shiny, especially across the forehead, nose and chin, and your blotting sheet comes away noticeably greasy. Pores can look larger, and your makeup may start sliding off by lunchtime.

• What you need: Lightweight, non-greasy care, and yes, oily skin still needs moisture. Skipping it can actually make the shine worse.

Combination skin

This is the most common type of all, so don't be surprised if it's you. Your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) turns oily, while your cheeks feel normal or even dry. The blotting sheet gives it away instantly: oily in the middle, clean on the sides.

• What you need: A balanced routine, and permission to treat different areas differently, a little more care where it's dry, a lighter touch where it's oily.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin can overlap with any of the above. The tell-tale signs are redness, stinging, itching or reactions to new products. It may feel warm or look blotchy after cleansing.

• What you need: Gentle, soothing formulas, introduced one at a time so you can learn exactly what your skin loves, and what it doesn't.

Now for the fun part: choosing products that actually suit you

Here's where it all clicks. Once you know your type, you can stop guessing and start building a routine that works, and it doesn't have to be complicated.

If you want one easy win that suits almost every skin type, start with the Avroy Shlain Daily Skincare 3-in-1 Toner. It's the effortless everyday step that helps your skin feel fresh, prepped and cared for, perfect for busy mornings when you don't have time to fuss but still want that just-treated glow. Think of it as the little habit that quietly makes your whole routine feel more "put together".

And because good skincare is really about how you feel all over, don't stop at your face:

• Coppélia Shea Body Butter — rich, comforting and gorgeously moisturising, especially loved by drier skin and dry-winter days. Smooth it on after your shower and thank yourself later.
• Fenjal Crème Bath Oil — a silky, indulgent soak that turns an ordinary evening into a proper wind-down ritual. Pure self-care in a bottle.

A gentle reminder

Your skin type isn't fixed forever. It can shift with the seasons, your age, hormones and even stress, so it's worth repeating this little test every few months and adjusting as you go. Skin that gets what it needs, when it needs it, is happy skin.

And if you're still not 100% sure which type you are? That's completely normal, and it's exactly what I'm here for.

Ready to shop for products that finally suit you? WhatsApp me, Liza, and I'll help you match your skin type to the right everyday routine and pop your order together. My online shop is coming soon, but for now a quick message is all it takes. I can't wait to help you feel ravishing.