Welcome to VANA Skincare Academy, your one-stop place for learning all about skincare from the ground up. Our mission is to get you familiarized with the ins and outs of skincare, understand each step of the process, and help you build the perfect routine for your skin type and needs.

There are many factors that play a part in determining your perfect skincare routine, but perhaps the biggest one of all is: what is your skin type? From dry to oily, sensitive to mature, determining your skin type will allow you to understand how to address your specific skin concerns and choose the best products and ingredients that actually make a difference for your skin.

Below, we’ve broken down the 6 main skin types and their characteristics to help you determine what skin type you have. Each skin type comes with its own staple 3-step routine that you can start with and build upon as your skin needs change and develop. They are the building blocks that support basic skin health according to your skin type, of which later on you can add boosters, treatments, and more as you progress on your skin journey. Keep scrolling to decode your skin type once and for all.

What is my skin type?

Dry skin can both look and feel dry, as there is a lack of sufficient moisture within the skin. You might notice fine lines, dry patches or irritation, as well as a tight feeling. Dry skin is closely linked to dehydrated skin, which is skin that lacks hydration, and can be due to a variety of factors including weather, genetics, external influence, and bodily dehydration.

A dry skin routine focuses on replenishing needed moisture and hydration with quenching products. The Haruharu WONDER Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel cleanses the skin without stripping it, thanks to fermented Black Rice extract that also provides antioxidant protection. Following the same theme is the I’m From Rice Toner, a 77.78% Rice-based toner that delivers intense moisture and revitalizes dull-looking skin. Finish your core routine with the Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream, made for strengthening the skin barrier and enhancing moisture retention with sensitivity-friendly Madecassosside and Panthenol.

Dry Skin Routine

Oily skin is typically characterized by visible oiliness on the surface of the skin and enlarged pores. The skin becomes shiny easily on the t-zone, as well as the rest of the face. Oily skin also tends to be acne-prone, as the buildup of oil, impurities, and dead skin cells causes breakouts to occur.

The ideal oily skin routine aims to control excess sebum while providing the necessary hydration the skin still requires. To refresh the complexion and clear away buildup, start your routine with the Isntree Green Tea Fresh Cleanser. This gel cleanser is enriched with Green Tea and a proprietary Anti Sebum P ingredient to balance oil production while quenching the deeper layers of the skin. Splash on a layer of the ANUA Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner for light hydration that also improves blackheads, clogged pores, and redness with its namesake Heartleaf component. For skin soothing and calming, the iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream gets the job done without exacerbating oil imbalance.

Oily Skin Routine

If you’ve got combination skin you’ll notice that while your t-zone is oily and gets oilier throughout the day, your cheeks and other parts of the face are dry. It’s not uncommon for combination skin to be acne-prone, due to the imbalance of oil on certain areas.

The goal with a combination skin routine is to reconcile the differences of dry and oily, and reach for balancing products. Gently but effectively cleansing the skin is the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam, which soothes and replenishes skin hydration while effectively clearing away impurities. Follow up with the Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner that uses botanical extracts to maintain optimal skin pH and delivers full nourishment, and complete the basic routine with the COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream. Its Sail Mucin and Adenosine ingredients ensure the skin is left smooth, bouncy, and balanced.

Combination Skin Routine

Normal skin relays a balanced complexion, with no obvious signs of dryness and oiliness. It doesn’t convey any immediate skin concerns, but is susceptible to other concerns like breakouts or dullness.

Strengthening the skin barrier is a good approach to normal skin in order to ward off skin concerns. The COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser keeps skin pH in check, with soothing and fortifying BHA and Tea Tree Oil. To nourish the complexion and boost a natural radiance, the numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner utilizes fermented ingredients and Niacinamide, improving skin tone and texture along the way. Finally, the PURITO B5 Panthenol Re-barrier Cream offers the soothing and hydrating properties of Panthenol, Squalane, and Centella Asiatica to protect and strengthen the skin barrier. It leaves the skin smooth and supple, contributing to its long-term health.

Normal Skin Routine

Sensitive skin encompasses a range of skin types as it’s possible for a dry or oily complexion to be sensitive. Due to different factors, the skin barrier is weakened and more prone to irritation, inflammation, and other skin concerns.

Those with sensitive skin need to be extra careful about the ingredients they’re putting on their skin; overtly aggravating ingredients can cause flare ups. The Pyunkang Yul Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser mildly cleanses the skin with a rich foam packed with Centella Asiatica and 5 kinds of Hyaluronic Acid, simultaneously hydrating and calming the complexion. Adding skin-loving hydration post-cleanse is the Haruharu WONDER Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner, which relieves inflammation and enhances skin elasticity with fermented Bamboo Shoot Bark extract. To round it all up, the Etude House Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream is a fan-favorite and bestseller that soothes stressed out skin with Panthenol and Madecassoside.

Sensitive Skin Routine

Mature skin encompasses complexions that show signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, dark spots, and a loss of elasticity. It’s typically associated with individuals who are older in age whose skin naturally exhibits these concerns as time passes. Aging skin is not something to be ashamed of as aging is a natural process of life, but there are ways to target signs of aging so as to maintain youthful, radiant skin.

Keeping the skin sufficiently hydrated throughout cleansing is the LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Foam. Its formula includes micro-sized Blue Hyaluronic Acid, a patented component that absorbs easier to refill skin hydration. For toner, reach for the Pyunkang Yul Black Tea Deep Infusion Toner that features antioxidant-rich Kombucha and replenishing Mugwort to care for depleted skin. Along with Peptide and Seaberry extract, this toner energizes the complexion and enhances vitality. Lastly, hydrate with the Dr.Ceuracle Vegan Active Berry Lifting Cream; it’s practically made for mature skin as its French Grape-derived Resveratrol capsules smooths over fine lines and intensively plumps the skin.

Mature Skin Routine

So it all comes down to the core question: what is your skin type? Make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Facebook, as well as keeping an eye on the VANA Blog, so you receive all the latest news, promos and information!