Find Your Match: The Ultimate Guide to Natural Cosmetics for Every Skin Type

Just like you shouldn’t put the cart before the horse, you shouldn’t put skincare before the skin type. It boils down to doing things in the correct order to gain the best outcome. While we know you can slather on products without regard to your skin type, following the steps of the hooves will get you the most effective results.

Much like a wild horse’s unpredictable behavior, many of our skincare concerns have to do with skin behavior that is not 100% under our control, thanks to our skin type. Whether you're dealing with dryness, oiliness, or sensitivity, your skin type also calls the shots on the effectiveness of your natural cosmetics.

Today we’ll be doing a deep dive into the five most common skin types, sharing the characteristics of each. We’ll be talking more about how to care for each type and explaining how certain products can work best for our skin! It’s time to take your skin type by the reins to find the best natural cosmetics suited for your unique complexion!

Do you dream of having healthy and beautiful skin, but don't know what natural cosmetics are best for your particular skin type? Whether you're dealing with oiliness, dryness, or sensitivity, making the right cosmetic choices matters.

Before diving into how to identify your skin type, it’s essential to understand the basic categories of skin types, their characteristics, and how these distinctions can guide your skincare choices. Remember: Even though you can lead a horse to water but can’t make it drink, you can lead your skin type to ‘drink up’ all the benefits of the right natural cosmetics.

Dry Skin
Speaking of drinking up, dry skin types need all the hydration they can get. Dry skin lacks the necessary lipids and natural oils to retain moisture, resulting in a complexion that may appear dull, rough, or flaky. This skin type is prone to early signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Highly moisturizing and hydrating products are beneficial for dry skin, aiming to replenish the skin’s moisture barrier and impart a healthy, youthful glow.

Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is like the crybaby of the types. It can react adversely to just about anything, from various environmental and dietary factors to skincare products and cosmetics. This skin type is often characterized by redness, itching, burning, or dryness.

People with sensitive skin need to be particularly mindful of the ingredients in their products, as harsh chemicals can provoke flare-ups or allergic reactions. As a result, it’s recommended to lean towards hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and natural products when possible.

Oily Skin
On the other end of the skin spectrum, you have the slick and devious skin type. As the name suggests, oily skin is characterized by an overproduction of sebum – the skin’s natural oil. You’ll notice a shiny or slick texture on the surface of your face, most common in what’s called the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), due to excess oil production.

While a certain amount of oil is healthy and necessary to keep the skin supple and protected, an excess can lead to a shiny complexion, enlarged pores, and a higher likelihood of acne and blackheads. This skin type benefits from non-comedogenic products that won’t clog pores, and ingredients that help balance sebum production.

Combination Skin
Combination skin tends to need clarification. This kind of skin has some oily areas, and some dry spots, as well as periods where things are balanced or off-keel. Typically, the forehead, nose, and chin may be oily, while the cheeks and other parts of the face may be dry or normal.

The most important thing about combination skin is that it doesn’t always behave the same. This skin type can be challenging to manage due to its dual nature and it may require different products to help keep balance or routines for different facial zones.

Normal Skin
Think of this skin type as the teacher’s pet, but not of the horse kind. It is usually on its best behavior and doesn’t want for a thing. Those with normal skin types tend to experience balanced oil levels. That means that their skin rarely experiences breakouts (besides a hormonal pimple or two). When it does happen, they’re typically minor.

For people with normal skin types, dryness may be a rare issue. Their skin stays nice and calm even after cleansing. This skin type is the most coveted because it is generally low-maintenance and balanced – feeling neither too dry nor too oily. But here’s the thing: normal skin doesn’t mean “perfect” or “problem-free” skin. A skincare routine is still necessary for those with normal skin types.

If you’re reading this and you aren’t sure what your skin type is, don’t fret – we got your back and skin! There are a couple of simple tests you can perform at home to help you determine your skin type. Here are two methods you can use:

The “watch and wait” method:

This at-home test allows you to discover your unique skin type by watching how your skin behaves after cleansing and waiting for the results.

#1. To start, wash your face with a gentle natural cleanser, then gently pat it dry.

#2. Wait 30 minutes. Relax, and rest; you’ve earned it.

#3. Time is up.

If your skin appears shiny throughout, you likely have oily skin.
If it feels tight and is flaky or scaly, you likely have dry skin.
If the shine is only in your T-zone, you probably have combination skin.
If your skin feels hydrated and comfortable, but not oily, you likely have normal skin.

The blotting sheet method:

When pressed to the skin, blotting sheets absorb oil—and you can use them to help you understand what type of skin you have.

#1. To start, wash your face with a gentle natural cleanser, then gently pat it dry.

#2. Wait 30 minutes. It’s time for R&R!

#3. Now press blotting sheets to various areas of your face, then hold the sheets up to the light to see the oil markings.

If the sheets soaked up an abundance of oil from all areas of the face, you have oily skin.
If they absorb little to no oil, then you probably have dry skin.
If the sheets show only a small amount of oil from your T-zone, you have combination skin.
If you only see minimal oil from every area of your face, you most likely have normal skin.

Those with sensitive skin are probably already aware of their temperamental skin. It’s important to remember that any skin type can also be sensitive or prone to acne or breakouts, though those with normal skin may be less likely to experience either. However, with the right natural cosmetics, you can find the perfect balance between your skin type and ultimate skin goals.

With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming when trying to pick the best cosmetic products for your skin type. Whether you have oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or normal skin, choosing high-quality ingredients that are specifically designed for your individual needs is critical in finding a natural beauty product that will make your complexion look and feel its best.

Here we'll share some tips on what ingredients to avoid and how to choose the best natural cosmetics tailored just for you!

Normal Skin:

When skin is normal and neutral we feel on top of the world, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have to care for our skin at all. Being sure to clean the skin regularly, hydrate well, and support skin elasticity with regular face mask treatments means that we can maintain that neutral skin.

Normal skin loves:

Your normal skin will love a balanced skincare routine, starting with washing your face well with a hydrating cleanser that can sweep away dirt and oil, while adding hydration to any dry patches. Our Nopal Cactus Cleanser is made from nature’s cleansers like aloe vera, nopal cactus, and prickly pear. It is great for keeping your balanced skin, balanced.

After cleansing, apply the Flower Water Toner using a cotton pad or your fingertips. This toner features hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration resulting in a plumped, softened, and soothed complexion, while plant peptides and ceramide address aging concerns.

If you’ve ever wanted a silky smooth facial moisturizer that doubles as a complexion booster on top of your holy grail of complexion types, here’s your answer! Our Seaberry Moisturizer enlists its star ingredient, seaberry, to pack a heavy dose of many omegas and 12 times more vitamin C than an orange for a super radiant complexion. Remember to use sunscreen even on cloudy days.

Normal skin hates:

Super astringent, clarifying ingredients are better used on skin with specific needs, like acne-prone skin types. Instead, stick to hydrating cleansers with simple ingredients that complement your already well-behaved skin.

Dry Skin:

If you read the excerpts above and feel your skin falls into the dry category, think about what you do with your skin now and how those steps make your skin feel. Do you notice you are driest in the morning, after cleansing, or in the evening? Do you have an area of your face that feels particularly dry, more than anywhere else? Learning what your triggers are for dry skin can help you to achieve balance.

Dry skin loves:

Exfoliation! Dry skin can become clogged with dead skin cells trapping skin-produced oil inside the pores. To avoid blackheads and breakouts, exfoliate no less than once a week. This allows moisture to properly penetrate the skin without clogging or uselessly laying over the top while eliminating flakiness.

Hydration, especially hydration over cream. Think silky and rich superfruit oils and moisturizing components like aloe vera gel, vitamin E, sunflower, olive, and avocado oils. Many of these hydrating ingredients can be found in our Super Fruit Facial Oil. This non-greasy pure facial oil is made by cold pressing the seeds of fruits that are enriched with antioxidants like acai and goji berries. It is great for increasing skin elasticity and a youthful glow.

Another great way to aid parched skin is by adding a super hydrating cleansing milk. Our Calendula Flower Cleansing Milk gently sweeps away dirt, sunblock, and environmental pollutants, using moisturizing sea buckthorn oil, hydrating rose hydrosol, and calming chamomile to deeply nourish and soften dry skin.

Follow with a toner to let your inner radiant glow set in. Our Restorative Sea Culture Hydrating Toner features a protein-rich and super-hydrating base of chia seed water to help soothe even the most driest skin. Superstar ingredient hyaluronic acid pulls water into the skin and locks it in there. This hydration hero amplifies the moisturizing power of the other hydrating ingredients in this toner.

Dry skin hates:

Mattifying, and clarifying ingredients like charcoal, kaolin clay, and tea tree oil. These can make dry skin feel tighter and even more uncomfortable. Surfactants are a nightmare for dry skin, too! Avoid harsh cleansing agents that strip the skin, cause irritation, and hasten signs of aging.

Oily Skin:

Oily skin is often smooth, and radiant, and has a nice bounce to it. However, managing the excess oil can be a full-time job. Though oily skin can feel slick to the touch, it is crying out for better moisture and balance. Though it may sound counterintuitive, oily skin needs adequate hydration to reach balance and skin Zen. We’ll show you how to accomplish this.

Oily skin loves:

Gentle exfoliation, which can work wonders for the pores! Using a physical exfoliant can clear them of excess sebum for less clogging and fewer breakouts. Our Pore Detox Herbal Cleanser gently polishes the skin and cleanses the pores with dandelion and neem, unclogs and minimizes the appearance of pores, and reduces excess oil with green clay for a clear complexion.

Balancing and clarifying ingredients. Utilize herbs, essential oils, and detoxifying ingredients like neem and tea tree. Witch hazel, peppermint oil, and tea tree like those found in our Tea Tree Concentrated Spot Treatment can communicate with the skin’s sebum generators and help gradually create better-balanced skin.

Moisture, despite the popular belief that oily skin doesn’t like or need it. Being sure to treat the skin with all the nutrient-rich moisturizers possible means that oiliness is kept as low as possible. In your daily skincare routine for oily skin, don’t be afraid to lay on the hydration with a quick-absorbing moisturizer, like our Tea Tree Balancing Moisturizer. This skin-balancing moisturizer replenishes essential hydration with soothing aloe while calming inflamed skin with cooling peppermint oil and antibacterial tea tree.

Oily skin hates:

Too much cleansing (ironically) can cause the skin to produce even more oil. Cleanse your skin a normal amount (twice daily and after working out or heavy activity) but don’t overuse your anti-acne, anti-oil cleanser. Instead, try something softening, hydrating, and creamy before bed to give your skin a break.

Combination Skin:

As we mentioned earlier, combination skin can be a bit tricky to care for because it is unpredictable. It has the best of both worlds, meaning that there are times when this skin type is low-maintenance and balanced. But, to keep it that way, we need a consistent skin regimen that addresses both oily and dry areas with specific products.

Combo skin loves:

Nourishment is the best medicine for skin that just won’t behave. Vitamins such as E and C help to balance and brighten the skin. Amino acids, proteins, and minerals help maintain elastic skin that is calm and smooth.

Adding a balancing cleanser that can sweep away dirt and oil while moisturizing dry areas can tone your complexion for a balanced, rejuvenated glow. Our Fermented Rice Water Cleanser ticks these boxes by featuring fermented rice water (Sake), which is rich in enzymes, amino acids, malic acid, minerals, and vitamins to brighten, gently exfoliate, and deeply soften skin.

Adding a toner into your routine, such as our Fermented Rice Water Toner, is a great way to address both dry and oily patches with the best, balanced results. A concentration of white mulberry, shiitake mushroom, licorice, and citrus balances skin tone, lessens the appearance of dark spots and brightens.

Layers of lightweight moisture via essences and serums. The light hydration is exactly what dry skin needs. This doesn’t overwhelm neutral or oily skin, and the calming ingredients inside usually help bring skin to harmony. Our Fermented Rice Water Serum is designed to do all this plus replace lost moisture while giving skin a healthier glow.

Combo skin hates:

Heavy, thick creams. While the idea of this sounds luxurious, it can suffocate dry areas and slide right off oily areas of the skin. Stick to hydration for better results.

Sensitive Skin:

Sensitive skin can be challenging to manage, especially when it comes to selecting the right natural cosmetic products. Natural cosmetics are often promoted as a soothing and safe option for sensitive skin. However, not all natural products are created equal.

When choosing cosmetics for sensitive skin, look for those with limited ingredients and avoid fragrances and harsh chemicals. Additionally, always check for hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic labeling which indicates that the product is less likely to clog pores and cause allergic reactions.

Sensitive skin loves:

When your skin reacts to every ingredient under the sun, look for all-natural cosmetics without any fragrances or harsh chemicals. Ingredients like rose, feverfew, and vitamin E will hydrate and soothe skin without irritating your protective barrier.

Adding a soothing cleanser that can sweep away dirt and oil while deeply hydrating dry areas can hydrate and calm your complexion for a balanced, rejuvenated glow. Our Rose Water Gel Cleanser employs balancing rose hydrosol, toning white tea, and a blend of calming florals to replenish dry skin.

Adding a hydrating serum like our Rose Hyaluronic Acid Serum can instantly quench, calm, and plump dry skin. We included calendula – long-praised for its soothing, calming effects – along with white tea for a boost of antioxidants. All the while, your skin is also receiving the hyaluronic acid benefits of intense hydration and mega-plump, dewy-looking skin.

Even at its most sensitive, skin can still benefit from the kiss of a lightweight, skin-agreeable moisturizer. With hyaluronic acid as a key ingredient, our Rose Water Hydrating Milk quenches the skin without a heavy texture. Aloe vera and beta-glucan (derived from oats) help soothe irritation and smooth rough, uneven skin.

Sensitive skin hates:

Too much cleansing can dry out and further irritate sensitive skin. Look for natural ingredients and avoid conventional skincare and cosmetic formulas that often contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, and synthetic ingredients that will harm your skin type. Additionally, always check for hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic labeling which indicates that the product is less likely to irritate skin.

Using natural cosmetics is on the rise with no end in sight any time soon – and for good reason. Unlike conventional cosmetics, natural cosmetics do not contain synthetic chemicals that can harm both the environment and your skin. However, simply using natural cosmetics is not enough.

To achieve the best results, it is important to use the right natural cosmetics for your skin type and the correct way of applying them for optimal results. Follow along with these tips to help build your best daily skincare routine.

Understanding Your Skin Type: Learn about your skin type and concerns, whether it is dryness, sensitivities, acne, or wrinkles. This information will help you choose the right natural cosmetics that cater to your specific needs.

Phasing Out Conventional Products: As you start using 100% PURE natural cosmetics, gradually phase out your conventional skincare items to avoid overwhelming your skin. This is especially useful for dry and sensitive skin types.

Patch Testing: Before using any new product, perform a patch test to ensure compatibility and avoid any potential allergic reactions. This should be done no matter your skin type. Better safe, than sorry, skin.

Introduce One Product at a Time: Introduce products one by one into your routine and observe how your skin responds. This helps identify any sensitivities or adjustments needed.

Consistency is Key: Consistently using a natural skincare routine will allow your skin time to adjust to all the skin-efits. Be sure you’re cleansing, toning, and moisturizing regularly.

Patience Is a Virtue: Natural cosmetics work best when used over time, allowing the skin to receive its full benefits. Take the time to learn about the best way to use natural cosmetics and you'll see the amazing transformation of your skin. Allow ample time to experience your skin, but better results.

By following these few tips and embracing natural cosmetics, you're nurturing your skin with wholesome, natural goodness. Over time, you'll likely notice the positive transformation as your skin radiates health and vitality.

Building a natural skincare routine can be an invigorating journey toward a healthier and more radiant complexion no matter your skin type. For optimal results, be sure you’re using the right natural cosmetics for your skin type.

Can your skin type change over time?

Your skin type can change over time due to a variety of factors, like age, environment, skin care products, stress, hormones, diet, and lifestyle. It is essential to observe your skin every day to notice if there is a change in skin type so you can adjust your natural cosmetics accordingly for optimal results.

How often should I reassess my skin type?

In the same ways you refresh your wardrobe and skincare regimens when the seasons change, your skin type should also be reassessed to determine if certain factors – even those out of your control – may have affected your particular skin type. Early on, it’s best to start with the changing seasons to determine if your skin type has changed.

Are there any universal skincare products for all skin types?

While natural cosmetics can be a great choice for those looking to reduce their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, some may wonder if these products are suitable for all skin types. The good news is that natural cosmetics can work on a wide range of skin types, including dry, oily, and sensitive skin.

What's the best way to test a new product for my skin type?

Performing a patch test is a crucial step before incorporating any new skincare product into your routine.

How do seasonal changes affect skin type and product choice?

First and foremost, all skin types need extra hydration no matter the season. As we know, different seasons and temperatures call for certain skincare routines that are built around your skin type and concerns. For instance, heat and humidity can cause an increase in oil production, so may want to switch to a lighter-weight moisturizer for your summer skincare routine.

If you suffer from dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin – any skin type – there are natural cosmetics perfectly suited to you as long as you know your skin type. Call it leading with skin type before skincare routine, your ideal and most perfect skincare routine is now at your fingertips. So, get ready to arrange a meetup with your hand-picked skin rescue squad!

Whether you're dealing with dryness, oiliness, or sensitivity, making the right cosmetic choices matters. Natural cosmetics contain fewer synthetics and preservatives which can make them less likely to irritate certain skin types while still allowing you to achieve the look of your dreams!

Hopefully, with this collection of tips and benefits, your skin should be glowing, soft, and supple in no time! No matter your skin type, natural cosmetics are your hot ticket to a glowing, youthful complexion. Your skin will thank you daily!