What is my skin type?

We at NIVEA understand that is can be hard to assess which skin type you are, and how best to nurture skin for each type. Skin types can range in multiple forms; combination, dry, sensitive, blemished or mature, the list can seem quite bewildering. And even then it is often never clear. Skin can be defined as both mature skin and dry skin, or sensitive skin and blemished skin.

Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Normal Skin,...

Hopefully NIVEA have helped you figure our your skin type, NIVEA have products and advice for every type of skin. Explore the full range to see how our products can benefit you.

Skin type 1: combination skin

Combination skin tends to have two skin types across the face: normal to dry skin around the cheeks and chin and oily and blemished skin around the T-zone of the forehead and nose. Combination skin tends to shine and form blemishes, particularly in the oily T-zones. By contrast, the cheek area is normal to dry. This can make your skincare routine more difficult, as you will need to look after all areas of the face.

Tu zona T requiere una atención especial

Tips for combination skin

To cleanse your skin, oily areas need to be cleansed of oil, yet whilst ensuring drier areas do not dry out further.
To help, ensure your skincare routine begins with a delicate cleanser, and ends with an oil free moisturiser. A hazelnut sized amount of moisturiser is enough.
If you are unsure, choose a product that is especially suited for combination skin.

¿Cuidados? Todo depende de tu tipo de piel.

Cada tipo de piel es diferente y, en consecuencia, tiene necesidades diferentes. Según cuál sea tu tipo de piel necesitarás más atención y cuidado; por ejemplo si tienes las piel grasa y sensible.

Skin type 2: dry skin

If your skin looks dry and flaky, it is highly likely that you have dry skin. Dry skin lacks moisture and lipids - i.e. fats. It is therefore less elastic and so feels tighter. This can even lead dry skin to begin to itch and even become sore. Dry skin is particularly susceptible to environmental influences, such as sunlight or wind. It is important to protect yourselves with sunscreen and appropriate clothing, such as sun hats. Try NIVEA Protect & Moisturise Sunscreen to help provide deep hydration to the skin whilst protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Restorative and hydration creams can be used to help restore the moisture stores and strengthen skin's protective barriers.

This is what dry skin is like:

tight and tends to itch
rough and flaky appearance
reacts quickly to external influences such as temperature.

Your skin's moisture balance is extremely important

Tips for dry skin

Many lifestyle factors can help you alleviate the unwanted symptoms of dry skin.

Firstly, ensure your skincare routine is optimised to help relieve dry skin, such as avoiding harsh cleansers and using deeply hydrating moisturisers.
Drinking at least 2 litres of still water will also greatly benefit your skin.
Day creams with a sun protection factor will help protect your skin from UV radiation, which could further dry skin out.
A serum is a perfect addition to your moisturising care. Care products with natural oils can help to relax your skin.

Conserva tu aspecto joven

A medida que nos hacemos mayores, las necesidades de la piel cambian. Existen muchos factores externos que influyen en el proceso de envejecimiento, siendo uno de los más reseñables la menor actividad celular. Con los cuidados adecuados puedes prolongar el aspecto joven de tu piel durante más tiempo.

Skin type 3: normal skin

If you are fortunate enough to have a fine-pored and even complexion, chances are that either your skin type is normal skin, or your skincare routine is perfect for your skin's needs. However, to keep its healthy appearance, normal skin needs moisture and protection too. It's important to cleanse and moisturise your face everyday, and deeply exfoliating at least once a week to remove dirt and dead skin cells.

This is what normal skin is like:

fine-pored, unproblematic
well circulated and elastic

La piel madura necesita que la cuides intensamente.

Tips for normal skin

Regular day and night care keeps your skin fresh.
Gentle exfoliation removes impurities and dead skin cells.
By gently massaging in your face cream, you will also boost your circulation.
Eye care

Blemished Skin

Skin type 4: blemished skin

People with blemished skin also tend to have sensitive skin and tends to produce more sebum than necessary, an oil secretion from the sebaceous glands. This can result in blackheads, spots and acne. This is often a genetic predisposition, which stress and hormonal fluctuations are responsible for. With antibacterial cleansing and care products, you can restore your skin's natural balance. If you have particularly sensitive skin, try and find gentle and soothing products for the face, such as Daily Essentials Refreshing Face Wash Gel. This is what blemished skin is like:

large-pored
shiny
tends to develop impurities.

Tips for blemished skin

It is essential to cleanse the skin before bed, particularly for those with blemished skin or acne prone skin. Makeup should also be removed in the evening, as it can block your pores overnight which will only increase issues with blemished skin.
Treat your skin to a gentle scrub and a face mask once a week.
Keep your hands off: do not squeeze blackheads or spots! This can lead to acne scars or spread bacteria across the face.
To help reduce any shining on the face, try a matting day cream.

Skin type 5: sensitive skin

Sensitive skin reacts more to external influences, such as; stress, dry air from heating systems, strong winds or UV light. If the skin is thrown out of balance, it feels tight, itchy and dry and develops redness. Sensitive skin can also be a leading contribution to dry skin, blemished skin, acne or blackheads. Sensitive skin therefore requires extra special care to calm it and strengthen its barriers, to help make it more resistant. This is what sensitive skin is like:

is sensitive to environmental influences
is tight and itchy
is often red.

Tips for sensitive skin

Choose a cream that provides protection against harmful environmental influences.
Gently dab your face with a towel after cleansing it rather than rubbing it vigorously.
Choose perfume-free products: fragrances can cause skin irritation.
Pay attention to your diet – hot spices are not good for your skin.

Mature Skin

Skin type 6: mature skin

As we grow older, lots of different processes take place in the skin that change its appearance, structure and even how it feels. This includes reduced cell activity, slower regeneration, lower collagen production or damage caused by UV radiation. Mature skin can lack moisture and elasticity, which is often a cause of dry skin in later years of life. With innovative care products you can reduce lines, wrinkles and pigment spots. You can help to reduce undesired effects of mature skin from appearing earlier by using anti-ageing products such as day creams and night creams as early as possible. This is what mature skin is like:

less elastic
lacks moisture
lines, wrinkles or pigment spots are visible.

Make sure you use enough sun protection: too much UV radiation makes your skin age prematurely.
Avoid lifestyle habits that accelerate the skins ageing process as much as possible, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and excessive sugary or fatty food consumption.
Use a special eye care cream: expression lines around the eyes are the first to appear, often nicknamed "laughter lines".
Moisturising masks with high-quality oils nurture your skin, and will leave your skin feeling well pampered and more relaxed.
Choose creams which support cell regeneration in your skin, such as Hyaluron Cellular Filler Anti-Age Day Cream