Skincare is not about following random beauty trends — it’s about understanding your skin type and choosing the right products and treatments that keep it healthy. With so many cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
The secret to glowing skin lies in building a personalized skincare routine that matches your skin’s unique needs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create the perfect skincare routine for oily, dry, combination, sensitive, and normal skin types.
Why Skin Type Matters
Each skin type reacts differently to products. Using the wrong ones can lead to:
- Breakouts
- Irritation
- Dryness or oiliness
- Premature aging
That’s why clinics like AAS CBC always begin treatments (chemical peels, facials, laser procedures) with a skin analysis. Knowing your skin type saves time, money, and future damage.
How to Identify Your Skin Type
1) The Simple Blotting Paper Test
- Wash your face and leave it bare for 2 hours.
- Press blotting paper on your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin.
- Check the oil absorbed:
| Skin Type | Blotting Paper Result | Common Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Oily | Lots of oil on all areas | Shiny skin, frequent acne |
| Dry | Little to no oil | Flaky, tight, dull skin |
| Combination | Oil on T-zone, dry cheeks | Mix of shiny + dry areas |
| Sensitive | May show redness or stinging | Easily irritated, reacts to products |
| Normal | Balanced oil | Even tone, smooth texture |
Step-by-Step Skincare Routine
1. Cleansing
Removes dirt, oil, and makeup.
- Oily skin: Gel or foaming cleansers with salicylic acid
- Dry skin: Cream or hydrating cleansers with glycerin
- Sensitive skin: Fragrance-free, sulfate-free options
2. Toning
Balances pH, tightens pores.
- Oily/Combination: Toners with witch hazel, niacinamide
- Dry/Sensitive: Alcohol-free toners with rose water or aloe vera
3. Serum (Targeted Care)
Packed with active ingredients for concerns like acne, pigmentation, or aging.
- Vitamin C serum → brightens dull skin
- Hyaluronic acid → hydrates dry skin
- Niacinamide → controls oil and redness
4. Moisturizing
Locks in hydration.
- Oily skin: Lightweight gel moisturizers
- Dry skin: Rich cream moisturizers
- Sensitive skin: Hypoallergenic formulas
5. Sun Protection (SPF)
The most important step. UV damage causes premature aging, pigmentation, and skin cancer.
- Use SPF 30–50 daily, even indoors.
- Choose mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide) if you have sensitive skin.
Skincare Routine by Skin Type
For Oily Skin
- Cleanser: Foaming with salicylic acid
- Toner: Niacinamide-based
- Serum: Retinol (at night), Vitamin C (morning)
- Moisturizer: Oil-free gel
- SPF: Matte finish sunscreen
For Dry Skin
- Cleanser: Cream-based
- Toner: Hydrating rose water toner
- Serum: Hyaluronic acid + ceramides
- Moisturizer: Rich nourishing cream
- SPF: Hydrating sunscreen
For Combination Skin
- Cleanser: Gentle gel cleanser
- Toner: Alcohol-free, balancing formula
- Serum: Vitamin C in morning, Niacinamide at night
- Moisturizer: Light cream for dry zones, gel for oily zones
- SPF: Broad spectrum
For Sensitive Skin
- Cleanser: Mild, fragrance-free
- Toner: Soothing aloe or chamomile water
- Serum: Niacinamide (low strength)
- Moisturizer: Hypoallergenic, barrier-repair cream
- SPF: Mineral sunscreen only
For Normal Skin
- Cleanser: Gentle foaming cleanser
- Toner: Light hydrating toner
- Serum: Vitamin C daily
- Moisturizer: Lightweight lotion
- SPF: Broad-spectrum sunscreen
Professional Treatments to Boost Skincare
Along with home care, professional skin treatments give long-lasting results:
- Chemical peels → brighten dull, pigmented skin
- HydraFacial → deep cleans + hydrates
- Laser skin resurfacing → improves texture & scars
- PRP facials → rejuvenates skin naturally
You can explore these treatments under Skin Treatments at AAS CBC.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-cleansing (strips skin of natural oils)
- Skipping sunscreen indoors
- Using too many actives together (e.g., retinol + vitamin C)
- Copying celebrity routines instead of focusing on your own skin type
Skincare Routine Table for Quick Reference
| Step | Oily Skin | Dry Skin | Sensitive Skin | Combination Skin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleanser | Foaming | Cream | Mild | Gentle gel |
| Toner | Niacinamide | Rose water | Aloe vera | Alcohol-free |
| Serum | Retinol/Vitamin C | Hyaluronic acid | Niacinamide | Vitamin C + Niacinamide |
| Moisturizer | Oil-free gel | Rich cream | Hypoallergenic | Zone-based |
| SPF | Matte finish | Hydrating | Mineral | Broad spectrum |
Conclusion
A skincare routine should never be one-size-fits-all. By identifying your skin type and choosing the right products, you can maintain healthy, radiant skin all year round.
At AAS CBC, our experts design customized skincare routines and provide advanced treatments — from facials and peels to PRP and laser therapies — ensuring long-term results tailored to your unique skin.
© Structured for SEO with headings only. Original content preserved verbatim.