Retesting Skin Type: Key to Smarter Skincare Decisions

When Should You Retake the Skin Type Test? A Dermatologist’s Guide to Adapting Your Skincare Routine

Skincare is not static. Your skin is constantly changing due to internal and external influences like age, climate, hormones, stress, and even the products you use.

That’s why it’s essential to revisit your skin type classification from time to time—especially if you’re using the Baumann Skin Typing System to guide your skincare choices.

In my dermatology practice, I frequently recommend that patients retake the Skin Type Solutions quiz as part of their long-term skincare strategy.

Your skin type might change over time—and your skincare routine should change with it.

In this blog post, I’ll explain why, when, and how often you should retake the skin type test, and how it can help you maintain healthy, glowing skin for the long haul.

Why Your Skin Type Can Change

The Baumann Skin Typing System is built around identifying four key skin barriers that affect your skin’s overall health:

Dehydration

Inflammation

Hyperpigmentation

Aging

When you first take the Baumann Skin Type Indicator quiz, the results help categorize which of these barriers are affecting your skin the most.

A personalized skincare routine is then recommended to address those specific issues. But as your skin improves—through consistent care and proper products—your skin type can shift, and so should your routine.

Here’s how your skin may improve over time with the correct regimen:

Dehydration: Often resolves within a few weeks of using hydrating products.

Inflammation: Typically improves shortly after, especially when anti-inflammatory ingredients are added.

Hyperpigmentation: May take 12–16 weeks to noticeably fade.

Aging signs: These require ongoing care and usually show progress after several months of consistent treatment.

Once your skin improves in any of these areas, sticking with the same products could lead to over-treatment or new imbalances. That’s why it’s so important to retake the quiz and refresh your skincare plan.

When Should You Retake the Skin Type Test?

Let’s take a closer look at the specific situations where retaking the quiz is not just recommended, but necessary.

1. When Your Skincare Routine Stops Working

One of the clearest signs it’s time to reassess your skin type is when the products that once worked wonders suddenly seem ineffective—or worse, irritating.

For example:

If your skin was dehydrated and now feels oily

If your dark spots have lightened but your products still include skin-lightening agents

If breakouts return after a long stretch of clear skin

In these cases, your skin type may have changed due to progress in treatment, and continuing to use products for the “old” skin type could cause new problems. This is when a retake of the quiz is essential.

2. Seasonal Changes

Where you live can influence how dramatically your skin changes from season to season.

In hot and humid climates (like Miami), skin often stays more hydrated and oily throughout the year.

In cold, dry climates, winters may leave your skin tight, flaky, or even irritated—requiring richer creams and gentler cleansers.

During summer, your skin may become oilier, requiring lighter formulations and more robust sun protection.

If you notice that your skin feels different during certain times of the year, it’s not your imagination—your skin is adapting to the weather.

That’s why we recommend retaking the quiz at least once per season if you experience extreme seasonal variations.

3. Hormonal Shifts

Hormones play a huge role in skin health. Whether it’s oil production, collagen synthesis, or pigmentation changes, hormone fluctuations can significantly alter your skin type.

Hormonal changes may come from:

Puberty

Starting or stopping birth control

Pregnancy or postpartum changes

Menopause

Hormonal therapy (e.g., testosterone or estrogen supplementation)

Medications that alter hormone levels, such as spironolactone or tamoxifen

We advise our patients to retake the skin type quiz any time there is a major hormonal shift—and then again around 3 months later, as it often takes that long for the skin to reflect internal changes.

4. Major Lifestyle Changes or Increased Stress

Stress may not show up on a lab test—but it shows up on your skin.

When stress levels rise, your body produces more cortisol. This hormone increases blood sugar, which can lead to:

More frequent breakouts

Greater skin inflammation

Accelerated aging

Events such as starting a new job or school, moving, becoming a parent, or dealing with a breakup can all increase stress levels and impact your skin.

On the flip side, reduced stress (say, after a vacation or recovery from a difficult life event) can improve skin health. In both cases, a change in stress level is a great reason to retake the quiz and adjust your routine accordingly.

What Happens After Your Skin Improves?

Let’s say you’ve followed your customized routine for 90 to 120 days, and your skin is doing great: no more flaky dryness, reduced redness, fewer breakouts, and a more even tone.

Now what?

You should retake the quiz to determine your new skin type.

Continuing to use products designed for problems you no longer have—such as hyperpigmentation or inflammation—could lead to irritation or unbalanced skin.

For example, if your dark spots are gone, there’s no need to continue using aggressive skin-lightening ingredients.

By updating your skincare routine to suit your current skin needs, you can focus on maintaining your improvements and preventing future issues.

How Often Should You Retake the Quiz?

Here’s a simple guideline:

Trigger Recommended Quiz Frequency

No major changes Once a year

Seasonal shifts Every 3–4 months

Hormonal changes Immediately after the change, and again 3 months later

Increased or decreased stress As soon as the stress level changes noticeably

Routine no longer effective Immediately

Skin problems have improved or disappeared After 90–120 days of consistent product use

Not Sure If Your Skin Type Is Correct?

Another sign that you may need to retake the test is if your current skin type description doesn’t resonate with your experience.

The most common confusion is around the “P” designation for pigmented skin types. Many people assume this refers to ethnic background or natural skin tone—but it doesn’t.

In the Baumann Skin Typing System, “P” means you have visible dark spots or uneven pigmentation that you want to lighten.

If you don’t have those, you’re classified as “N” (non-pigmented), regardless of your skin color.

If you believe you’ve been misclassified—or if your skin has changed since the last quiz—it’s a good idea to reassess and make sure your skincare routine is actually aligned with your current concerns.

The Bottom Line: Your Skin Evolves, and So Should Your Routine

Skin is dynamic—it reflects your environment, lifestyle, stress levels, hormone balance, and how well you care for it.

The Baumann Skin Type Indicator quiz is a powerful tool to help you navigate these changes and maintain optimal skin health.

So don’t think of the skin type quiz as a one-and-done assessment. It’s more like a wellness check-in for your skin.

Just like you visit the doctor for annual physicals, your skin deserves regular re-evaluation, too.

Ready to see if your skin type has changed?

Take the quiz again and let your skincare evolve with you.

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.

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