“Fact is that…” allows readers to get esthetician-backed advice without ever setting foot in the office. In each article, certified skin therapist Samantha Mims shares dos and don’ts, product recommendations, and more to help you on your skin care journey.

The proliferation of beauty products has led to increased awareness about our skin, but also increased confusion. The truth is that among beauty buzzwords, many people are fluent in translating most ingredients, but for some, determining their own skin type is a challenge. In turn, it becomes much more difficult to methodically shop for skin care products. Maybe it’s time we go back to basics: actually listening to our skin and seeking help from a professional!

The sole purpose of skin care products is to stimulate and support the natural function of the skin, but it is important to understand your skin type first. Knowing exactly what your skin needs is the beginning of the process. One of the easiest ways to choose the right product for your skin type is to base it on the texture of the product.

There is a wide variety of textures, from creams, oils, gels and mousses to everything in between. Our skin reacts differently to each of these. Even if some parts of your skin are oily and other parts are dry, your skin needs balance. Not every routine needs to consist of multiple steps to get the best results. To simplify this format, I created a table that separates skin types and pairs it with the best textures, ingredients, and some brands for each problem. Let this be your cue to recalibrate the way you shop for skin care.

That said, discover below which product textures, ingredients, and brands are best suited to your skin type.

Dry

Dry skin benefits from richer formulas that contribute to hydration and locking moisture back into the skin. These textures include gels, oils, creams, balms, essences, exfoliators and serums. Also rely on ingredients like Squalane, glycerin, ceramides, peptides, prickly pear, aloe, lactic acid and Microalgae. In addition to products such as Epi,logic Total Package, Every Mood Botanical Oil at GroovAnd Omorovicza Queen Essence.

Fatty

Oily skin benefits from lightweight formulas that are often water-based and oil-free, while gently lifting excess oil from the skin’s surface. Consider using textures such as gels, mousses, lotions, exfoliators and serums. Great ingredients to use for this skin type include Niacinamide, salicylic acid, retinol, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, and zinc. These are found in products such as: PSA Goals night serum, Hyper Skin Gentle Brightening Gel CleanserAnd Elta MD UV Transparent SPF 46

Combination

Combination skin benefits from lightweight and nourishing formulas that contribute to balancing both complexions and both concerns simultaneously. When it comes to product textures and ingredients, consider using gels, creams, mousses, oils, and exfoliants. When it comes to ingredients, I definitely recommend AHAs, BHAs, ceramides, Vitamin B5, squalene, and hyaluronic acid. SkinCeuticals Moisturizing B5 Gel Eadem, Cashmere ShellAnd Caudalie Premier Cru Moisturizer

Sensitive

Sensitive skin types often rely on concealer formulas that contain calming extracts and are fragrance-free. So, if you have sensitive skin, you should use cream, gel, oil, essence, lotion and serum. Aloe, ceramides, seaweed, Hypochlorous acid, oatmeal, snow fungus, niacinamide are great ingredients for this skin type, so try it Gezeiten Day Face Cream, Epara Cleansing LotionAnd Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray

Normal

Normal skin types benefit from a variety of textures as the skin can tolerate so much depending on climate, personal preference and health status. These textures include creams, gels, oils, essences, milks, and exfoliators. Watch out for glycolic acids, retinol, ceramides and antioxidants. Furcy Botanik’s Gel Cream Legend is a great place to start.

premature aging

Premature aging will always benefit from concentrated formulas containing vitamins, collagen-forming and rich ingredients. As we age, skin loses moisture and this depends on the renewal of the routine we choose. Rely on creams, gels, oils, essences, balms, exfoliators and serums to restore that moisture. Retinol, vitamin c, peptides, growth factors,

Microalgae, ahas and Co-Enzyme Q10 are also great ingredients for this skin type. My favorite brands that target signs of aging: Rose Ingleton Superfruit Peeling Tonic , Epi.logic’s Master Plan Serum, 111 Skin Erase Wrinkles Retinol Patches.