Expert Advice for Choosing the Right Skin Care Products for Your Skin Type

Co-authored by Paul Friedman, MD and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: January 8, 2023 References Approved

It’s true: good skin care products and a healthy skincare routine are essential to having happy, healthy skin. But with all the products on the shelves, how are you supposed to know which ones are best for you and your skin care needs? No worries—you’re not in this alone. We’re here to help you find the best skin care ingredients and products for your skin type and complexion.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Getting to Know Your Skin's Needs

1
What is your skin type? Your skin type is the default condition of your skin on any given day. Many skin care products cater to specific skin types, so it helps to know which one you have before you start shopping around.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Paul Friedman, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.} Here are the different categories:
- Normal: Skin that’s not especially dry, oily, or sensitive
- Oily: Skin with a shiny, greasy sheen
- Dry: Skin that itches, flakes, or feels rough to the touch
- Combination: A mixture of dry and oily skin
- Sensitive: Skin that tends to react to skincare products^{[2]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
2
Do you want to target any skin concerns or issues in your skincare routine? Maybe you’re battling a pesky round of acne, dealing with wrinkles, or coping with a rosacea flare-up. Whatever the case, look for skincare products that address these specific issues and concerns.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} You might:
- Get a product with salicylic acid to deal with acne
- Invest in retinol products to minimize wrinkles^{[4]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Skip toner if you have rosacea^{[5]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
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3
Do you have any habits that directly affect your skin? Many different factors affect the way your skin looks and feels. This, in turn, affects the skincare products you’ll need to use. For instance, smoking or spending a lot of time in the sun means you'll want products that target collagen production and sun damage.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Building a Healthy Skin Care Routine

1
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser twice per day. Cleansers help clear away any oil, grime, and anything else that’s collected on your face.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Dermatologists suggest squeezing a tiny bit of cleanser onto your fingertips and lightly massaging it into your skin. Then, rinse off any leftover suds with slightly warm water, and blot your skin with a gentle cloth until it’s completely dry.^{[8]
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Research source} Here are some skin-specific suggestions:
- Oily Skin: Gel cleanser with glycolic and salicylic acid
- Dry Skin: Cream cleanser with glycerin and petrolatum, lanolin, or ceramides
- Combination Skin: Gentle, balanced cleanser
- Sensitive Skin: Mild cleanser without dye, soap, or fragrance^{[9]
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2
Nourish your freshly-cleaned skin with toner up to twice a day. Toner helps nourish, lower redness, and eliminate dry sections on your skin.^{[10]
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Research source} All you have to do is squeeze a few drops of product onto a cotton ball and dab all over your damp skin after you’ve cleansed. Here are some skin type-specific suggestions:^{[11]
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Research source}
- Dry and Normal Skin: Toner with hyaluronic acid
- Oily Skin: Toner with alpha and beta hydroxy acids
- Sensitive Skin: Toner with hyaluronic acid that’s fragrance-free
- All Skin Types: Any toner that’s alcohol-free with antioxidants
3
Target specific skin issues with serums. Are you noticing some fine lines starting to form, or does your skin just always seem to be inflamed? Whatever the case, serums are a great way to tackle specific issues.^{[12]
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Research source}
- Vitamin C serums are a really popular option that can help your skin look brighter and less red. They can even help boost collagen production, which helps your skin look a bit more youthful.^{[13]
  X
  Research source} This could be helpful if you just quit smoking, since cigarettes hurt your skin’s collagen.^{[14]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Although serums are an optional part of most skincare routines, some people find them helpful.^{[15]
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  Research source}
4
Exfoliate your face up to 2 times each week.^{[16]
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Research source} Exfoliating products help clear away dead skin cells, but they shouldn’t be used every day.^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Instead, experts advise using an exfoliator up to twice a week, between your cleanser and moisturizer.^{[18]
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Research source} Here are some skin type-specific suggestions:
- Oily Skin: Use a mechanical exfoliator or strong chemical exfoliator
- Dry Skin: Use a gentle chemical exfoliator
- Sensitive Skin: Use a gentle chemical exfoliator
- Mechanical exfoliators require physical motion to exfoliate your skin, like using a bristled brush or exfoliating scrub. Chemical exfoliators are products made with exfoliating ingredients and aren’t as rough on your skin.^{[19]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
5
Hydrate your skin every day with lotion or moisturizer while it’s damp. Moisturizers help lock moisture into your face, creating a vibrant glow.^{[20]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Dermatologists suggest applying this product throughout the year, so your skin can always stay hydrated.^{[21]
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Research source} Here are some specific product suggestions, depending on your skin type:
- Oily Skin: Water-based, oil-free moisturizer
- Dry Skin: Oil-based moisturizer
- Combination Skin: Medium-weight lotion
- Sensitive Skin: Hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizer^{[22]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
6
Apply 30 SPF sunscreen every day to protect your skin. Daily sun exposure can damage your skin over time, so it’s important to stay protected.^{[23]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Rub sunscreen on any exposed parts of your skin about 15 minutes before you plan on heading out the door—this way, the product has enough time to soak into your skin.^{[24]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- A cherry tomato-sized squirt of sunscreen should be enough to protect your face.^{[25]
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  Research source}
- Try to apply a new layer of sunscreen every 2 hours if you spend a lot of time out in the sun.^{[26]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
- Remember: you should always wear sunscreen when you head outside, even if you have a tan complexion or darker skin tone.^{[27]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Your Skin

1
Treat wrinkles and blemishes with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). Also known as tartaric, glycolic, lactic, and citric acids, AHAs help reduce age spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation issues. You can find them in a variety of over-the-counter creams and lotions.^{[28]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Skincare experts suggest picking out products with a low AHA concentration so you don’t bother your skin. Anywhere between 10 and 15% should be good!
2
Clear away dead skin with beta-hydroxy acids. Also known as salicylic acid, this ingredient helps boost the tone and texture of skin damaged by the sun. It’s also a common ingredient in acne treatments. You can find it in plenty of over-the-counter skincare productions, as well as in prescription treatments.^{[29]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Products with beta-hydroxy acids may be a little easier on your skin than products with AHAs.
3
Hydrate and firm your skin with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in your joints and skin, but your body’s levels of it decrease when you get older. Thankfully, there’s plenty of hyaluronic acid in topical, over-the-counter products, which hydrate your skin and tackle your wrinkles head-on.^{[30]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
4
Improve your skin’s appearance with retinol. This ingredient reduces fine lines, decreases wrinkles, and gives your skin texture a boost. You can find it in a variety of creams and serums at your local drugstore.^{[31]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
5
Get younger-looking skin with L-ascorbic acid. Also known as vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid helps boost your skin’s collagen production, which helps reduce wrinkles, lines, and other blemishes. Skincare products with L-ascorbic acid may irritate your skin at first, but your skin should adjust over time.^{[32]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- You can find L-ascorbic acid in plenty of over-the-counter skincare products.
6
Lighten your skin with hydroquinone. This ingredient directly impacts your melanin production and can treat different types of hyperpigmentation, like freckles, acne scars, and age spots. ^{[33]
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Research source} You can easily find hydroquinone creams at your local pharmacy, but you’ll need a prescription to get a more potent formula.^{[34]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Keep in mind that the medical community has a divided opinion about hydroquinone, and some health professionals link it with serious health issues.^{[35]
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  Research source}
7
Blacklist products that are made with potentially dangerous ingredients. Unfortunately, not all skincare products and ingredients are created equally. Some skincare ingredients are actually harmful to your body, and can potentially lead to serious side effects. Here are a few ingredients to watch out for:^{[36]
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Research source}
- Fragrance
- Homosalate
- Nanomaterials
- Octinoxate
- Parabens
- For a full list of concerning ingredients, check out this list: https://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chem-of-concern/

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I know what skincare works for me?

Paul Friedman, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
Paul Friedman, MD, is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and the Director and Founder of the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience and specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Friedman is the current President of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery and was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the Best Dermatologists in America for Laser Treatments. His awards include the Husk Prize for his research in dermatologic surgery and the Young Investigator's Writing Competition Award of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Friedman completed his dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine and received his medical degree with the highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine.

Paul Friedman, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology

Expert Answer

Keep in mind what type of skin you have and choose products that are made specifically for it.
Question

Shall I use face scrub for removing black dots on my face?

Community Answer

Those black dots are blackheads. Try getting pore strips, which pull out the blackheads, leaving your skin clear. Get them at your local supermarket or drugstore.