What Skincare Do I Need?

Wondering what skincare is right for your skin type? Read on to discover the best moisturisers, cleansers and treatments to suit your skin

Content editor

Emily Lambe

How to discover your skin type

Knowing whether your skin is oily, dry, sensitive (which is actually a condition, not a type), or combination is essential to choosing the right skincare. A dermatologist or skincare specialist can help you determine your skin type, but it's also easy to discover at home.

Do this by washing your face with water and allowing it to air dry. If your skin feels tight and uncomfortable, you've probably got dry skin. Still a little slick? It's likely to be oily. Combination skin will feel somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.

If you have increased redness, itchiness and discomfort after using certain products, you could have sensitive skin. It's best to speak to a professional if your skin is regularly irritated.

Shop skincare Shop all beauty

Skincare for sensitive skin

Skin can be sensitive for a variety of reasons, from what products you use to genetics, environment, diet and age. If you feel your skin is sensitive, start by removing harsh exfoliants and cleansers from your routine and avoid products with actives such as retinol (vitamin A) and vitamin C.

Cleanser: Gently cleanse with a lightweight milky cleanser like this Chamomile Cleansing Milk from The Organic Pharmacy.
Face mist: Calm your skin with a cooling, alcohol-free mist like the Century Flower Barrier Defence Mist from Pai.
Serum: Give your skin a boost with the Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Advanced Face Serum from Origins, infused with reishi mushroom, sea buckthorn and fermented chaga.
Moisturiser: A light moisturiser like Pai's bestselling The Anthemis Soothing Moisturiser helps combat redness and irritation.

Shop sensitive skincare Shop Pai Skincare

Gentle and calming

Skincare for dry skin

Dry skin feels tight, itchy and a little rough to the touch. It is incredibly common and can become more apparent as we age. You may find that your skin becomes drier in the winter with harsh temperatures. Skincare for dry skin focuses on soothing irritation and boosting hydration.

Cleanser: Stick to a creamy cleanser like this Hydrating Cleansing Milk from ESPA with nourishing sweet almond and soya bean oils for everyday.
Cleansing balm: Need a deep cleanse? Emma Hardie's Moringa Cleansing Balm removes all traces of make-up without stripping the skin.
Serum: Pack in skin-loving ingredients with this Optimal Skin Pro-Serum by EPSA, infused with a vitamin complex and aromatic essential oils.
Moisturiser: Lock in moisture all day with Clinique's Moisture Surge. The deep penetrating gel formula delivers up to 100 hours of hydration.

Shop skincare for dry skin Shop ESPA

Nourishing hydration

Skincare for oily or blemish-prone skin

Oily skin can be associated with teenage hormones or a poor diet, but it's often the result of genetics. Skincare for oily skin focuses on maintaining hydration while managing the production of oil from your sebaceous glands, while treating acne and blackheads.

Cleanser: Keep breakouts under control without irritating the skin with Clinique's Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Gel, medicated with 2% salicylic acid.
Spot treatment: Banish spots with Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel from Origins – the soothing red algae calms redness.
Serum: Lightweight and fast-absorbing, the Retinol Night Serum by The Organic Pharmacy works to improve collagen density.
SPF: Using powerful ingredients like retinol or salicylic acid calls for strong SPF protection – try Ultrasun's non-comedogenic Photo Age Control Fluid.

Shop skincare for oily skin Shop Clinique

Banish breakouts

Skincare for combination skin

Combination skin is a mix of dry and oily areas across your face. You'll most likely be oily through your T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), and drier on your cheeks. People with combination skin often need to change their skincare routine as the seasons change.

Cleanser: Clinique's All About Clean cleanser foams into a non-drying lather to protect your natural moisture balance.
Toner: A mild toner like the Zero Pore Pads from Medicube, infused with PHA and hyaluronic acid, gently exfoliates and regulates sebum.
Moisturiser: Hydrate with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser such as Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion.
SPF: Protect your skin with a comfortable, non-sticky SPF like Relief Sun Rice Probiotics from Korean brand Beauty of Joseon.