This is the most important section for anyone arriving at this page wondering “how do I determine my skin type?” because it gives you the practical answer. There are two reliable methods: the bare-face test, which is the most accurate, and the blotting paper method, which is faster. Both are straightforward, both work at home, and neither requires any special equipment.

The Bare-Face Test (Most Reliable)

The bare-face test works because it removes all product variables and lets your skin behave naturally. It’s the closest thing to a neutral baseline you can get without clinical testing.

Step 1: Cleanse your face with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser. This is important - a harsh cleanser will temporarily alter your skin’s behaviour and skew your results. Use something mild, like our Oat Cleansing Balm, which removes all traces of product without disrupting your skin’s natural balance. Pat your skin dry and apply nothing else.

Step 2: Wait 30 minutes. Do not touch your face, apply any products, or exercise. Let your skin settle into its natural state. This waiting period is what makes the test reliable.

Step 3: Observe your skin in natural light. Look specifically at four zones: your forehead, your nose, your cheeks, and your chin. Take note of how each zone looks and feels.

What you’re looking for:

• Skin feels comfortable and looks balanced across all zones - you likely have normal skin
• Skin looks visibly shiny across most of the face, especially the nose and forehead - you likely have oily skin
• Skin feels tight, looks dull or flaky, particularly on the cheeks - you likely have dry skin
• Forehead and nose are shiny but cheeks feel normal or dry - you likely have combination skin
• Skin looks red, feels reactive, irritated, or uncomfortable - you may have sensitive skin
• Fine lines are more visible than usual, skin feels less firm or elastic than it used to - your skin may fall into the ageing/mature category

The Blotting Paper Method (Quick Test)

If you want a faster answer, blotting paper gives you a useful secondary data point. Take a sheet of clean blotting paper and press it firmly to different zones of your face - your T-zone (forehead and nose), your cheeks, and your chin. Hold each sheet up to natural light and observe how much oil has transferred.

• Little to no oil on the paper from any zone - dry or normal skin
• Oil visible from the T-zone but not the cheeks - combination skin
• Oil visible across the whole sheet from every zone - oily skin

The blotting paper method is a useful quick check, but it only measures oil production. It won’t tell you whether your skin is sensitive, ageing, or dehydrated - for that, the bare-face test gives a fuller picture.

A few practical notes for accuracy:

• Do the test mid-morning, not immediately after waking up and not after exercise. Both skew results - sleep tends to reduce oil production temporarily, while exercise increases it. 
• Repeat the test across a few different days, and ideally across different seasons. Skin behaviour can vary significantly between summer and winter. 
• If your skin changes dramatically with the weather, your diet, or your routine, you may be noticing skin concern changes (such as dehydration or increased sensitivity) rather than a different skin type altogether. We cover this in detail in the skin type vs skin concern section below. 

Not sure what your results mean? Chat to askINKEY for personalised guidance from our skincare advisors.

Now that you know how to identify your skin type, let’s look at each type in detail - what causes it, how to recognise it, and exactly what it needs.

Normal skin is often described as the “baseline” - balanced sebum production, small or barely visible pores, smooth texture, and no persistent areas of oiliness or dryness. It rarely reacts to new products and generally feels comfortable throughout the day without needing to be blotted, topped up, or calmed down.

It’s worth saying clearly: normal skin is not the same as perfect skin. It simply means your skin’s oil-to-water ratio is relatively well-balanced, and that your sebaceous glands are producing an amount of sebum that doesn’t tip into excess or deficiency. It’s most commonly seen in younger people, though some people maintain this balance well into their thirties and beyond.

How to Identify Normal Skin

After the bare-face test, normal skin will feel comfortable - not tight, not greasy, not reactive. The surface will look even and relatively smooth. Pores will be small and not particularly visible. If you look closely at different zones, you won’t notice a significant difference in oiliness or texture between your forehead and your cheeks.

Common Concerns for Normal Skin

The primary goals for normal skin are maintenance and prevention. Without persistent oiliness or dryness to manage, the focus shifts to protecting what’s working: keeping the skin hydrated, shielding it from UV damage, and supporting the gradual collagen and elastin changes that come with age. Occasional dehydration can occur in winter months, and environmental stressors like pollution and UV exposure are worth addressing proactively.

What Normal Skin Needs

Normal skin benefits from lightweight hydration, antioxidant protection, and a consistent SPF habit. It’s well-placed to tolerate a range of active ingredients, from vitamin C to gentle exfoliants, without significant irritation. The key is not to overcomplicate things - a streamlined, well-chosen routine maintains the balance more effectively than an overstuffed one.

Recommended products for normal skin:

• Oat Cleansing Balm - £15.00 - a gentle first-cleanse that removes product and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural balance, suitable as a daily cleanser or first step in a double cleanse 
• Hyaluronic Acid Serum - £9.00 - lightweight daily hydration that keeps moisture levels topped up without heaviness or greasiness 
• 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum - £15.00 - a brightening and antioxidant serum that targets early signs of uneven tone and environmental damage 
• Caffeine Eye Cream - £10.00 - depuffs and brightens the under-eye area, a common area of concern even for balanced skin types 
• Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser - £19.00 - restores ceramides, supports the skin barrier, and firms and plumps the skin with consistent daily use 
• Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 - £15.00 - daily sun protection with a skin-finish that works well on balanced skin 

David, askINKEY Digital Skincare Advisor:“Normal skin is balanced, but that doesn’t mean it’s maintenance-free. Focus on prevention - consistent hydration, antioxidant protection, and daily SPF will keep your skin looking this way for longer.”

Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands - the glands in your skin responsible for producing sebum, the natural oil that keeps your skin lubricated and protected. When those glands produce more sebum than your skin needs, you end up with the characteristic shine, enlarged pores, and congestion that define oily skin. Genetics play the biggest role, though hormones - particularly androgens - are a major driver, which is why oily skin is especially common during puberty and often fluctuates around hormonal changes throughout life.

It’s one of the most misunderstood skin types, largely because the instinct is to strip the skin of oil - to cleanse aggressively, skip moisturiser, and use the harshest products available. This approach almost always backfires. Over-cleansing triggers the skin to produce more sebum in response, creating a cycle that makes things worse.

How to Identify Oily Skin

After the bare-face test, oily skin will look visibly shiny - particularly across the T-zone and cheeks. Pores will appear enlarged, especially around the nose and chin. If you pressed blotting paper to your face, you’d see oil distributed fairly evenly across the sheet. Blackheads and blemishes are common recurring issues, and make-up tends not to last well without a primer or setting product.

Common Concerns for Oily Skin

Excess shine, visible pores, blackheads, blemishes, congestion, and make-up longevity are the most frequent concerns for oily skin types. Many people with oily skin also experience dehydration - an apparent contradiction, but one that makes sense once you understand that oil and water are different things. Your skin can overproduce sebum while simultaneously lacking water in its cells.

What Oily Skin Needs

Oily skin benefits from targeted cleansing that removes excess sebum without stripping, ingredients that regulate oil production and exfoliate inside the pore, and lightweight moisturisers that maintain hydration without adding to the oiliness. The goal is balance, not elimination.

Recommended products for oily skin:

• Salicylic Acid Cleanser - £12.00 - 2% salicylic acid (a BHA) that penetrates the pore lining to deeply cleanse, reduce blackheads, and help manage blemish-prone skin 
• Hyaluronic Acid Serum - £9.00 - lightweight, non-greasy hydration that won’t clog pores but keeps dehydration at bay 
• Niacinamide Serum - £10.00 - helps reduce excess oil production, visibly minimise pores, and calm any accompanying redness 
• Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum - £10.00 - a leave-on BHA exfoliant that works inside the pore to reduce congestion and help prevent blemishes 
• Omega Water Cream - £11.00 - an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser that delivers hydration without heaviness or pore-clogging ingredients 

You can also explore the full Excess Oil and Blemishes and Breakouts collections for targeted products.

David, askINKEY Digital Skincare Advisor:“Even oily skin needs a moisturiser - skipping it signals to your skin to produce more oil. Go for lightweight and oil-free rather than skipping the step entirely.”

Dry skin is characterised by insufficient sebum and moisture in the skin’s upper layers. Unlike dehydrated skin - which we’ll come back to - dry skin is a skin type, meaning it’s a relatively stable, baseline condition rooted in your skin’s natural oil production (or lack of it), not a temporary concern caused by environmental factors or routine choices. The distinction matters, because the fix for dry skin type is different from the fix for dehydrated skin concern.

Dry skin often feels tight after cleansing, particularly if you’ve used a cleanser that isn’t gentle enough. It can look dull, rough, or flaky, especially in colder or drier environments. Pores tend to be small or barely visible. Fine lines may appear more pronounced - not necessarily because the skin is ageing faster, but because the lack of plumpness in the surface makes them more visible.

How to Identify Dry Skin

After the bare-face test, dry skin will feel tight - sometimes uncomfortably so. The cheeks in particular may look dull or feel rough to the touch. There will be little to no oil visible if you use blotting paper. In some cases, you might notice slight flaking around the mouth, nose, or cheeks. The skin rarely looks shiny, and pores are typically very small.

Common Concerns for Dry Skin

Tightness, flaking, dullness, heightened sensitivity, and fine lines that appear more prominent than they should are the primary concerns. Dry skin also tends to be more reactive than it appears - the reduced lipid barrier means irritants and allergens can penetrate more easily, leading to periods of unexpected sensitivity.

What Dry Skin Needs

Dry skin needs hydration layered from the inside out. That means starting with humectants - ingredients that draw water into the skin cells - and then sealing that moisture in with occlusive or emollient-rich formulas. Gentle exfoliation is also important to prevent build-up of dead skin cells that contribute to dullness and rough texture, but it should always be the gentlest possible option.

Recommended products for dry skin:

• Oat Cleansing Balm - £15.00 - a non-stripping balm cleanser that lifts impurities without disturbing the skin’s lipid barrier 
• Hyaluronic Acid Serum - £9.00 - apply to damp skin to draw moisture deeper into the skin layers for maximum effect 
• Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum - £15.00 - strengthens the skin’s natural barrier while providing deep, lasting hydration 
• PHA Toner - £13.00 - the gentlest form of chemical exfoliation, which also has hydrating properties, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types 
• Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser - £19.00 - restores the skin’s lipid barrier with ceramides and deeply hydrates for a firmer, more comfortable feel 

Explore our Dry Skin and Dehydrated Skin collections for more targeted support.

David, askINKEY Digital Skincare Advisor:“Dry skin needs hydration layered from the inside out - start with a humectant like Hyaluronic Acid on damp skin, then seal with a ceramide-rich moisturiser. The order matters.”

Combination skin is exactly what it sounds like: a mix of two or more skin types across different zones of the face. The most common pattern is an oily T-zone - forehead, nose, and chin - paired with normal or dry cheeks. But combinations vary. Some people experience dryness around the mouth and oiliness only on the nose. Others find their cheeks are normal in summer but dry in winter. Pore size and texture can differ noticeably between zones.

It’s the skin type that causes the most product confusion, because the instinct is to find one product that works everywhere. That product rarely exists. The smarter approach is to understand the different needs of different zones and adjust product application accordingly.

How to Identify Combination Skin

After the bare-face test, combination skin will show distinctly different behaviour across zones. The T-zone - particularly the nose and forehead - will appear shinier than the cheeks. The cheeks may feel normal, comfortable, and balanced, or they may feel slightly tight and dry. Blotting paper pressed to the T-zone will show oil; the same paper pressed to the cheeks will show little to none.

Common Concerns for Combination Skin

Blackheads and blemishes in the T-zone, uneven texture across the face, difficulty choosing products that work for multiple zones, and managing oiliness in some areas without over-drying others are the most common challenges. Combination skin can also shift more noticeably between seasons - leaning oilier in summer and drier in winter.

What Combination Skin Needs

Balance and a willingness to use products differently across zones. Lightweight formulas that hydrate without adding oil tend to work well across the whole face, while targeted treatments - BHAs, exfoliating toners - can be applied more heavily to the T-zone and avoided or used sparingly on the cheeks.

Recommended products for combination skin:

• Fulvic Acid Cleanser - £12.00 - gently exfoliates and removes impurities across the whole face without over-drying the drier zones 
• Glycolic Acid Toner - £13.00 - targets oilier areas, brightens and evens skin tone; can be applied more selectively to the T-zone 
• Niacinamide Serum - £10.00 - helps balance oil production across the face and calm any accompanying redness 
• Omega Water Cream - £11.00 - a lightweight moisturiser that provides adequate hydration to drier zones without adding to T-zone oiliness 

For more detail, read our full guide to combination skin, and explore the Excess Oil collection for targeted T-zone support.

David, askINKEY Digital Skincare Advisor:“The real secret with combination skin is zonal application. You don’t have to use the same product all over. Apply your BHA or exfoliant to the T-zone and save the richer hydration for the cheeks.”

Sensitive skin is one of the most commonly self-reported skin types, and one of the least clearly defined. True sensitive skin is characterised by a thinner epidermis and a lower tolerance threshold for ingredients, environmental triggers, and physical factors. It flushes easily, stings or burns after product application, and reacts to things that other skin types tolerate without issue.

It’s important to understand that sensitive skin is more of a condition or characteristic that sits alongside a skin type, rather than a skin type in its own right. You can have oily sensitive skin, dry sensitive skin, or normal skin that is also sensitive. That’s why it’s included here as its own section rather than simply folded into the five primary types.

There is also an important distinction between sensitive skin - a genetic predisposition, likely present since childhood, in which the skin’s barrier is naturally more reactive - and sensitised skin - a temporary state caused by over-exfoliation, using too many actives, exposure to irritants, or lifestyle factors like stress and sleep deprivation. Sensitised skin can recover with the right routine. Sensitive skin requires consistent, gentle management.

Signs of Sensitive Skin

• Redness or flushing that happens easily and lingers 
• Stinging, burning, or itching after applying products, even ones without obvious irritants 
• Frequent irritation from ingredients that others tolerate well 
• Visible broken capillaries, particularly across the nose and cheeks 
• Skin that reacts noticeably to weather changes, hot water, or wind 

Common Concerns for Sensitive Skin

Redness, reactive skin, irritation, a compromised or damaged skin barrier, and rosacea-prone tendencies are the most common concerns. Sensitive skin can also be more prone to dryness, since a thinner or compromised barrier is less effective at retaining moisture.

What Sensitive Skin Needs

Simplicity. Fragrance-free formulas. Barrier-supporting ingredients. And a willingness to introduce new products slowly, one at a time, always with a patch test first. Learn more about why you need to do a patch test before introducing anything new to a sensitive skin routine.

Recommended products for sensitive skin:

• Oat Cleansing Balm - £15.00 - contains 1% colloidal oatmeal, clinically proven to soothe and reduce redness 
• Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum - £15.00 - clinically proven to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate sensitive skin; barrier restoration in 15 minutes* 
• Hyaluronic Acid Serum - £9.00 - non-irritating, fragrance-free hydration suitable for even the most reactive skin 
• 10% Azelaic Acid Serum - £16.00 - clinically proven to minimise redness in 4 days*; particularly suitable for rosacea-prone skin 
• Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser - £19.00 - restores ceramides to strengthen and protect a damaged or depleted skin barrier 
• Omega Water Cream - £11.00 - lightweight and non-reactive, suitable for sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate heavier formulas 

Explore the Redness and Damaged Skin Barrier collections for further support.

David, askINKEY Digital Skincare Advisor:“The most important thing you can do for sensitive skin is simplify. Strip back to cleanser, moisturiser, and SPF - let the skin stabilise before reintroducing any active ingredients. And always patch test. Always.”

*Independent clinical study results.

Ageing and mature skin is not a distinct skin type in the same way that oily or dry skin are. It is a secondary category - one that can overlap with any of the five primary skin types. Your skin type doesn’t disappear as you age; it evolves. Someone who had oily skin in their twenties may find it becomes more balanced in their forties. Someone with dry skin may find the dryness intensifies as skin produces even less sebum with age.

What changes with age is the underlying biology. Collagen production starts to slow from around age 25 - gradually at first, and then more noticeably from the mid-thirties onward. Elastin decreases, meaning skin loses some of its ability to spring back. Cell turnover slows, which affects both texture and tone. The result is a constellation of changes: fine lines, deeper wrinkles, a loss of firmness, uneven pigmentation, and skin that feels drier and more fragile than it once did.

Signs of Ageing or Mature Skin

• Fine lines and wrinkles, most visibly around the eyes, mouth, and forehead 
• Loss of firmness or elasticity - skin may feel less “bouncy” 
• Uneven skin tone and dark spots, often from years of cumulative sun exposure 
• Skin that feels notably drier or more sensitive than it did a decade ago 
• A general dullness or loss of radiance 

What Ageing or Mature Skin Needs

A combination of ingredients that address multiple concerns simultaneously. Retinol or retinal for cell renewal and fine line reduction. Peptides to support collagen production. Vitamin C for brightening and antioxidant protection. Ceramides to reinforce the barrier. And - above everything else - SPF daily. If there is one product that does more for the signs of ageing than any serum or treatment, it is a broad-spectrum sunscreen applied every single morning without exception.

Recommended products for ageing or mature skin:

• Starter Retinol Serum - £12.00 - clinically proven to visibly smooth fine lines in 7 days; ideal for those new to retinol or with more sensitive skin; for PM use 
• Advanced 0.2% Retinal Serum - £15.00 - works 11x faster than standard retinol for experienced retinoid users looking for next-level skin renewal; for PM use 
• Retinol Eye Cream - £13.00 - a gentler retinol formula for the delicate eye area, where fine lines tend to appear first 
• Hyaluronic Acid Serum - £9.00 - plumps and hydrates the skin surface for a smoother, more youthful appearance 
• Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser - £19.00 - clinically proven to firm, plump, and reduce six signs of ageing in 28 days* 
• 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum - £15.00 - brightens, targets sun damage, and supports skin renewal with both Vitamin C and EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) 
• Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 - £15.00 - the single most important anti-ageing step in any routine; daily protection against UV-driven collagen breakdown 

If you’re considering introducing retinol for the first time, read our guide to Retinol vs Retinal to understand the difference and choose the right option for your skin. Explore the full Anti-Ageing collection for further product recommendations.

David, askINKEY Digital Skincare Advisor:“SPF is the most powerful anti-ageing product on the market - more so than any serum. If you’re focused on preventing signs of ageing, start there and build from the foundation up.”

\Independent clinical study results.*

Now that you understand each skin type in depth, there’s a crucial distinction that trips up even the most informed skincare enthusiasts - and it’s time to clear it up once and for all.

One of the most common reasons people feel stuck with their skincare is that they’re confusing their skin type with their skin concerns. They’re related, but they’re not the same thing - and treating them as interchangeable leads to poorly matched routines, product frustration, and a lot of wasted money.

Here’s the clearest way to think about it:

Your skin type is your baseline. It’s what your skin fundamentally is - determined largely by genetics and sebum production, relatively stable, and the foundation around which your whole routine is built. It changes slowly, if at all, without significant biological shifts like hormonal changes or ageing.

Your skin concerns are what your skin experiences. They’re often temporary or situational. They can be addressed with targeted ingredients. And critically - they can sit on top of any skin type, sometimes in ways that seem contradictory.

This is why the idea that oily skin doesn’t need hydration is so persistent and so wrong. Dehydration is a skin concern - a lack of water in the skin cells. Oily skin is a skin type - an overproduction of sebum. The two have nothing to do with each other. You can absolutely have oily skin and experience dehydration at the same time. The fix is a lightweight humectant serum, not skipping moisturiser.

Common skin concerns that can occur across any skin type:

• Dehydration - a lack of water in the skin cells; feels tight and dull even on oily skin. Different from dry skin, which is a lack of oil. 
• Hyperpigmentation and uneven tone - dark spots, post-blemish marks, or sun damage affecting skin colour 
• Blemishes and breakouts - can occur on any skin type, not just oily 
• Redness and sensitivity - can be a temporary sensitised state caused by routine or lifestyle, not just genetic sensitivity 
• Fine lines and loss of firmness - age-related changes that sit on top of any skin type 
• Dull skin - often caused by slow cell turnover, dehydration, or build-up of dead skin cells 

“Oily skin is your skin type. A blemish is a skin concern. Both are normal. Both can be addressed.”

The practical implication is this: you build your core routine around your skin type, and you layer targeted treatments on top for your specific concerns. Understanding the difference means you stop second-guessing your skin type every time a new concern appears, and start choosing products with much more precision.

Once you know your skin type, explore our Complete Skincare Concerns Guide to understand and target the specific concerns that sit on top of it. For a broader understanding of how routines fit together, How to Build Your Skincare Routine is a helpful next read.

With the distinction between type and concern clear, the final practical step is understanding how to translate all of this into an actual routine.

Understanding your skin type is only useful if it changes what you do. This section shows you how. Every skin type needs the same fundamental steps - cleanse, treat, moisturise, and protect with SPF in the morning. What changes is the specific products within those steps, the textures you choose, and the ingredients you prioritise.

Here’s a starting-point routine structure for each skin type. This is a guide, not a rulebook - your skin may need adjustments, and listening to how it responds is always more important than following a formula rigidly.

Normal Skin Routine

• Cleanse: Oat Cleansing Balm - gentle, daily cleansing that preserves your skin’s natural balance 
• Hydrate: Hyaluronic Acid Serum - lightweight hydration applied to slightly damp skin 
• Treat (AM): 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum - antioxidant protection and brightening in the morning 
• Moisturise: Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser - supports the skin barrier and maintains skin health 
• Protect: Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 - daily, non-negotiable 

The focus for normal skin is prevention and maintenance. Keep it consistent, keep it simple, and resist the urge to add more than your skin needs.

Oily Skin Routine

• Cleanse: Salicylic Acid Cleanser - 2% salicylic acid to keep pores clear and manage excess oil 
• Hydrate: Hyaluronic Acid Serum - lightweight, non-pore-clogging hydration that won’t contribute to shine 
• Treat: Niacinamide Serum or Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum - for oil regulation, pore minimising, and blemish prevention 
• Moisturise: Omega Water Cream - oil-free, non-comedogenic, and light enough not to contribute to congestion 
• Protect: Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 - daily SPF; look for oil-free formulas 

Key principle: double cleanse in the PM to fully remove the day’s build-up. Balance, don’t strip.

Dry Skin Routine

• Cleanse: Oat Cleansing Balm - gentle and non-stripping 
• Hydrate: Hyaluronic Acid Serum applied to damp skin, followed by Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum for deeper barrier support 
• Treat: PHA Toner for gentle exfoliation.
• Moisturise: Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser - rich, barrier-restoring ceramide formula 
• Protect: Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 - apply after moisturiser 

Key principle: layer your hydration. Apply humectants first, then seal with richer emollients. Avoid over-exfoliating - once or twice a week maximum.

Combination Skin Routine

• Cleanse: Fulvic Acid Cleanser - balancing and gently exfoliating without over-drying 
• Hydrate: Hyaluronic Acid Serum - a lightweight hydrator suitable for all zones 
• Treat: Niacinamide Serum across the face; Glycolic Acid Toner applied more to the T-zone 
• Moisturise: Omega Water Cream - light enough for the T-zone, adequate for normal-to-dry cheeks 
• Protect: Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 - daily 

Key principle: zonal application. You don’t need to treat every part of your face identically. Use richer products where you need them and lighter ones everywhere else.

Sensitive Skin Routine

• Cleanse: Oat Cleansing Balm - soothing and non-reactive 
• Hydrate: Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum - barrier repair and hydration in one step 
• Treat: 10% Azelaic Acid Serum - for redness reduction, once skin has stabilised 
• Moisturise: Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser or Omega Water Cream depending on skin weight preference 
• Protect: Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 - look for fragrance-free, mineral, or hybrid formulas 

Key principle: introduce one new product at a time. Always patch test. Always. Read why patch testing matters before adding anything new to your routine.

For a complete step-by-step guide to building your routine from scratch, visit our Complete Skincare Routine Guide. You can also build your personalised routine and save up to 20% with our Bundle Builder - or use the Breakout Analyser Pro if blemishes are a key concern.

Knowing your skin type is not about putting yourself in a box. It’s about giving yourself the right starting point. Once you understand what you’re working with, choosing the right products becomes straightforward - no guesswork, no wasted money, no routines that feel like they’re working against you. Just better skin, built on better information.

Still not sure where to land? The askINKEY team is here to help - reach out for personalised skincare guidance from our advisors. Or if you want an instant recommendation, take the Skincare Quiz and have a complete routine in your hands in two minutes.

Our Guide to Combination Skin
Everything you need to know about managing a mixed skin type

How to Build Your Skincare Routine
Step-by-step routine guidance for any skin type, from cleanse to SPF

10 Most Common Skin Concerns
Skin type identified - now understand the concerns that sit on top of it

The Complete Skincare Routine Guide
Build a full routine from scratch with INKEY’s expert guidance

Take the Skincare Quiz
Not sure where to start? Get a personalised routine in 2 minutes

Why Do I Need to Do a Patch Test?
Essential reading before introducing any new product to your routine

SPF Guide: What is SPF and Why Do You Need It?
The complete guide to sun protection - the one step no routine should skip