Skin Type

What are the different types of skincare products?

Skincare products come in different types, and they work best when you know what each one is for. From keeping your skin clean to keeping it protected, these are the basics most people use:

• Cleansers: Facial cleansers remove oil, makeup and daily build-up so your skin feels fresh. Starting with clean skin also helps the rest of your routine work better.
• Moisturisers and serums: Face moisturisers, hydrating serums, gel creams and face oils keep your skin soft and smooth. They replace the moisture your skin loses from washing, the weather or air conditioning.
• Toners: A toner gives your skin a quick refresh after cleansing. It helps calm the skin, smooth the surface and get it ready to absorb the next step in your routine.
• Treatments: Products like face masks or night creams give extra care when your skin needs more attention. They target concerns such as dullness, uneven texture or tired-looking skin.
• Sun care: A reliable sunscreen protects your skin from UV damage, helping prevent dryness, dark spots and early fine lines.

How to know your skin type

Knowing your skin type is the first step to building a routine that works. The right products can keep your skin balanced, while the wrong ones might leave it oily, tight or irritated. With a clear idea of how your skin behaves, it’s easier to pick beauty products that suit your needs.

There are different skin types, and each one shows up in its own way. Follow these steps to work out where your skin fits:

1. Start with a clean slate: Wash your face and wait an hour. This lets your natural sebum production show.
2. Check for shine: If your T-zone looks oily or you notice excess oil, you may have oily skin.
3. Look for dryness: Dry skin usually feels tight with flaky patches or dry areas after cleansing.
4. Notice balance: Skin that feels comfortable without much shine is usually a normal skin type.
5. Watch mixed patterns: An oily centre with drier cheeks points to combination skin type, while redness or stinging can signal sensitive skin.

Can your skin type change?

Yes, your skin type can change. While genetics sets the base, your skin does not stay the same forever. As you age, oil production naturally decreases, so skin can become drier over time. Hormonal changes, health conditions and some medications also play a part in how your skin feels.

Even shifts in climate, stress or new products can affect the skin barrier and change the way your skin behaves. These changes are common, and noticing them helps you match your routine to your current skin concerns.

What type of skincare products should I use?

Your skin type helps decide the care you need. If you have oiliness, use a gentle cleanser and lighter hydration so your pores don’t feel clogged.

With dryness, a hydrating cleanser and creamy moisturisers will keep your skin soft and comfortable. If you notice both, you may have combination skin, so apply a lighter product in oily areas and a richer one where your skin feels dry.

For a normal skin type, your routine can stay simple and balanced. Opt for calming products that protect your skin barrier if your skin reacts with redness or stinging. To keep your skin healthy over time, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.

Which acne product is safe for all skin types?

There isn’t a single acne product that suits every person, but some options work well for many. An oil-free product is usually a safe choice because it won’t clog pores or add to shine.

If you have acne-prone skin, formulas with gentle amounts of salicylic acid are often used to calm breakouts and reduce blemishes. The key is to introduce new products slowly and see how your skin responds before adding more to your routine.

What ingredients should you look for in skincare products?

When you’re building your routine, it helps to know which ingredients give your skin the most support. To boost hydration, hyaluronic acid and glycerin attract water to the skin so it feels plump and smooth. With ceramides, you strengthen your skin barrier and hold that moisture in, which is especially important if your skin often feels dry or sensitive.

Vitamin C and other antioxidants protect against free radical damage while supporting brightening for brighter and more even skin. To care for long-term texture, niacinamide helps improve tone and reduce redness, while retinol softens fine lines.

You can also exfoliate gently to keep your skin fresh. Ingredients like AHAs or BHAs remove dead cells on the surface, which smooths texture and allows the rest of your products to absorb more effectively. With these proven ingredients in your routine, you can choose skincare that matches your skin’s real needs.

How to build a basic skincare routine

Your skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. The goal is to cover the key steps that keep your skin clean, protected and hydrated enough to stay comfortable. Most of the time, a few simple steps do more for your skin than packing in too many products.

To make it easy, you can follow these simple steps:

1. Cleanse morning and night: Cleansing removes dirt, oil and makeup, helping prevent clogged or enlarged pores.
2. Lock in hydration: Moisturisers and serums replace lost water, keeping your skin soft and comfortable.
3. Use sun protection: A daily sunscreen protects from UV rays and supports long-term skin health.
4. Exfoliate with care: Gentle ways to exfoliate smooth the surface and allow the rest of your products to work better.

How to layer skincare products in the right order

The order in which you apply products can affect how well they work. A simple way to think about it is to start with the lightest textures and finish with the heaviest. This way, each step absorbs properly without being blocked by thicker layers.

To get the flow right, cleanse first, then move to lighter serums or treatments. Follow with a hydrating moisturiser to lock everything in, and finish with sunscreen in the morning. If you keep your routine in this order, your products are more likely to do their job without confusion.

To get the best results, your routine should fit your skin type and your lifestyle. At Hairhouse, we make it simple to find the right skincare products online or in-store, with fast shipping available across Australia. You can also use our store locator to find your nearest Hairhouse and get expert help choosing what’s right for you.