Any dermatologist will tell you how important it is to ensure that any skin care products are chosen with your skin type in mind. If the product isn’t right for your skin type it won’t be as effective and could aggravate existing conditions, or even cause new ones. This is why whether purchasing a moisturiser, cleanser or anything else for your skin, it’s essential you know your skin type.

The type of skin you have depends on the amount of water and oil in your skin. If these are out of balance your skin will suffer. So for example, if your skin has too much oil you may be more prone to acne outbreaks, and your skin will appear shiny. Skin care products designed for oily skin will be oil-free, and may have ingredients designed to help rebalance the level of oil in your skin.

Another problem that many people suffer from is dry skin, which is caused by a lack of water in the skin. As well as feeling itchy and tight, dry skin looks visibly flaky and can even cause fine lines. Products designed with dry skin in mind will usually be water-based to add much needed moisture to the skin.

It’s also possible to have combination skin. This means that some areas of the face will be oily while others will be dry. People with this skin type may want to use products designed specifically for combination skin, or use different products on the different areas of their face. Finally there is normal skin; people with this skin type have the right balance of oil and water.

Some people can tell their skin type simply from looking in the mirror. Others might be able to feel whether they have oily, dry or normal skin or be happy taking an online test. If, however, you don’t feel confident about what type of skin you have, it’s best to speak to someone who specialises in dermatology to ensure you only use the products best suited to you.