Regular skin care is important to improve the texture, tone, and appearance of your skin. Products that help your skin involve a wide range of cosmetics, exfoliators, sunscreens, serums, microdermabrasion, and peels. With so many over-the-counter skin care products in the market, it could easily be one overwhelming trip. The first and foremost step to choosing the right product for yourself is to determine your skin type.

You can perform either of the two tests yourself to find out your skin type.

Gently pat a blotting paper on different areas of your face. Hold the sheet against light to see how much oil is visible.
Wash your face with a cleanser, apply a good toner and then wait for 15 to 30 minutes and see how your skin responds.
There are four basic types of skin – oily, dry, normal, and combination.

Dry skin – If you experience tightness in the skin or if there is little or no oil visible, then your skin is dry. Dry skin tends to be rough, scaly and dull. The pores are invisible. Such a skin is often dehydrated, so drink a lot of water and reduce intake of caffeine products. Exfoliation with gentle, non-abrasive ingredients will make the skin ready to absorb moisturizers and serums with velvety textures.

Combination type – If your T-zone seems to be oily while the cheeks and jaw area is moderately dry, or if it shows more oil from the forehead and nose areas, then it is a combination type. This skin combines areas of oily with dry skin. A mild, exfoliate to keep the t-zone in check and moisturizers with gel-like textures will help.

Oily skin – If the paper turns out to be largely greasy or if you start seeing oil diffused on your face, your skin type is oily. The pores are large and visible. There is a shine on your skin, which is prone to blackheads, acne, and other blemishes. An enzyme exfoliator with gentle texture to prevent sebum build up and to promote cell turnover will do wonders. Do not use emollient products as it will make the skin oilier. Instead, choose products that have a thin and liquid texture.

Normal skin – If the skin has no significant sensitivities and there are small pores that are barely visible, then you have normal skin. You may need to use skin care products, which are a mix of both.

Check if you have sensitive skin. In that case, you may need to use beauty products that are specific for sensitive skins, hypoallergenic, and free from dyes and fragrances. Sensitive skin is one that breaks out in rashes or itches when you use certain beauty products.

Always patch test on your inner forearm, if you are trying out a new formulation and more so, if you have sensitive skin.

Look for skin care products with active ingredients that are proven to be effective clinically. Such ingredients are Vitamin A, B, C, and E.

You can break your skincare routine down into some basic steps. Be sure to follow your skincare routine for at least six to eight weeks for it to show some significant results. Irrespective of the product type, the active ingredients must be there, but the texture is what differs based on your skin type.

Besides deciding about your skincare regime, it is essential that you also determine the amount of money you want to spend on this. Prices of skin care products can range from few dollars to hundreds of dollars or more. One should figure out their budget and specific needs to buy the right one.