The Best Skin Typing System for Skin Care Routines

Wondering the best way to find out your skin type? You need a proven skin type quiz to diagnose your skin type properly. We use the same skin type diagnostic tool that dermatologists use. I developed and validated it at the University of Miami and now it is in all the major dermatology textbooks and used by doctors. You can find the most recent version of the gold standard skin type quiz used by doctors called the Baumann Skin Type Indicator (BSTI) at the link below.

The 16 skin type system is best for designing personalized skincare routines and sopping for products

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type test is essential for determining appropriate laser and UV treatment settings.

Traditional dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin type classifications are outdated.

How Do I Find Out What Skin Type I Am?

When trying to figure out your skin type, first ask yourself why you want to know. This helps you find the best skin type quiz to diagnose your skin type according to your needs. For example, if you want to shop for skincare products using your skin type, you need to know your Baumann Skin Type. If you are looking for makeup color recommendations, you need to know your skin tone. If you want to understand your risk of sunburn or if your doctor wants to perform a laser or light treatment and needs to choose the appropriate amount of light to use, the Fitzpatrick Skin Type is best. Each skin typing system is designed for different purposes.

Fitzpatrick Skin Type Test

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type test is not the best way to find out what skin type you are when you are trying to find the best skin care products for your skin type. This is because the Fitzpatrick skin type scale was developed as a way to improve psoriasis therapies. The Fitzpatrick Skin Type corresponds with the skin tanning response to UV and light exposure. It was developed by Dr. Fitzpatrick at Harvard to determine the proper dose of UV light to treat psoriasis.1

The initial version included only lighter skin types and was later updated to include darker skin types. It is now used to choose laser settings.

The current skin color of the patient may not correspond to the Fitzpatrick Skin Type. For example, a Fitzpatrick III Skin Type who avoids the sun and always wears sun-protective clothing and sunscreen may appear to be a Fitzpatrick II.

Using the questionnaire in the Fitzpatrick Skin Typing Questionnaire about how the skin responds to sun exposure is a more effective method of choosing laser settings than looking at the skin color alone.

The Fitzpatrick skin typing system is often incorrectly used to prescribe skin care but it was never intended for this purpose; it only gives information about melanocyte response to light and not about the underlying barriers to skin health such as inflammation and dehydration. The higher the Fitzpatrick skin type number is, the more robust the melanin production response to light is. A higher Fitzpatrick Skin Type suggests an increased risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and a lower risk of skin cancer due to sun exposure. The Fitzpatrick skin typing questionnaire is more accurate when administered by a dermatologist as compared to self-administered.2 This skin typing system may not be accurate in Asians3 and has been found to be unreliable in Korean skin.4 The Fitzpatrick Skin Type is genetically determined and does not change with time unless the patient is exposed to photosensitizers.

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type:

What is the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Test good for?

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Test, developed at Harvard Medical School, offers several benefits and serves specific purposes:

Measures Melanin Production: It measures the skin’s ability to produce melanin pigment in response to UV exposure, which is crucial for understanding how your skin reacts to the sun.

Professional Assessment Required: This test must be assessed by a trained medical provider rather than self-administered to ensure accuracy.

Limitations for Some Ethnicities: The test may not be accurate for many Asian ethnicities, highlighting the need for professional evaluation.

Guides UV and Light Treatments: It helps determine the appropriate dose of UV or light to treat skin disorders effectively.

Laser Treatment Settings: The test is useful for selecting the correct laser setting when treating hair or pigmentation issues.

Predicts Pigment Alteration: It helps predict post-inflammatory pigment alteration (PIPA) after lasers, lights, and other cosmetic procedures.

Skin Cancer Risk Prediction: The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Test may help predict your risk of skin cancer based on your skin’s reaction to UV light.

Static Classification: Unlike other skin typing systems, the Fitzpatrick Skin Type does not change over time.

Body-Wide Application: This classification applies to all skin on the body, providing a comprehensive assessment of your skin’s UV response.

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Test does not correspond to skincare routine or product needs but is essential for medical and cosmetic procedures involving UV and light exposure.

Baumann Skin Type®

The Baumann Skin Type (BST) is used to prescribe facial skin care. The Baumann Skin Type specifies the presence or absence of 4 barriers to skin health: dehydration, inflammation, dyspigmentation, and aging lifestyle factors. These 4 parameters are combined in different combinations into 16 distinct Baumann Skin Types. 6 7

The Baumann Skin Type is identified using a 4 letter designation, and a skin type octagon with a color and a number to help you remember which skin type you are. Your skin type applies to facial skin only.

8 skin types have sensitive skin that exhibits inflammation. These are further divided into 4 sensitive skin subtypes. Sensitive skin types can exhibit more than one sensitive skin subtype. For example, a sensitive skin type can have acne, facial redness (rosacea), and skin stinging.

The Baumann Skin Type reveals the underlying issues that need to be addressed in your skincare routine to improve skin health. By understanding your specific skin type, you can create a highly personalized and effective skincare routine tailored to your unique combination of skin barriers, sensitivities, preferences, and lifestyle habits.

Engaging with fellow skin type enthusiasts by sharing your Baumann Skin Type allows you to compare notes on skincare products, exchange advice, and gain insights from others with the same skin type. This sharing of experiences fosters a deeper understanding of how various products work for different skin types and can help you make more informed decisions about your skincare choices.

Joining a community of like-minded individuals who understand the importance of personalized skincare enhances your skincare journey. By sharing your experiences and learning from others, you can optimize your skincare routine and help others do the same. Take the Baumann Skin Type quiz today to unlock the full potential of your skincare routine and become part of a supportive community of skin type enthusiasts.

The Skin Type Solutions System

When determining your skin type, it’s important to first ask yourself why you want to know. This helps you find the best skin type quiz tailored to your needs. Dermatologists use the Baumann Skin Type quiz to build effective skincare routines rather than relying on the Fitzpatrick Skin Type quiz.

The Skin Type Solutions System (STS) employs advanced software to diagnose your Baumann Skin Type and prescribe a customized skincare routine based on your specific type, preferences, budget, and lifestyle habits. This software uses a validated self-administered questionnaire that has been thoroughly tested across genders (9, 10), multiple ethnicities (11, 12), and various climates (13). Hundreds of dermatologists worldwide utilize this system to diagnose skin types (14, 15), prescribe skincare regimens (16, 17, 18), and conduct research (19, 20).

The STS software works for any brands that meet its stringent criteria. It generates a skincare regimen containing only the ingredients suitable for your skin type while avoiding those that should be excluded. The system also considers multiple factors to layer the products in the proper step-by-step order, enhancing the efficacy of the entire regimen.

Now that you understand the differences between the two most popular skin typing systems, be sure to take our quiz to find your Baumann Skin Type: the most effective and proven skin typing system for finding the right products for your skincare needs.

Your Skin Type Can Change

If you live in an area where the climate changes significantly, your skin type may change. It will also change with:

puberty

pregnancy

menopause

stress

seasonality

diet

habits

increased age

So I recommend that you retake the skin type quiz every year.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected