When choosing a skin care product for your skin, it is important to know your skin type. Skin type is fairly universal for all ethnic backgrounds with the only difference being pigmentation. Pigmentation is what gives skin its color.

When determining your skin type there are several factors to consider. Factor number one: do you have oily or dry skin? The second would be whether or not you have pigmented skin. The third factor is skin sensitivity and the fourth is the dreaded reality of aging: wrinkles.

First determine if you have oily or dry skin. Oily skin may have a shiny look and also may feel oily to the touch. Dry skin may feel uncomfortable and tight as well as feel rough and have a dull color.

Sebaceous (oil) glands produce a secretion that helps keep moisture in the skin. Excess oil production can result in oily skin but that is not the only factor. Diet, stress, hormones, medications, and genetics can affect oil production.

The role of Skin pigmentation in choosing skin care products has to do with the predisposition to develop undesirable spots on the skin. The types of spots that skin care products may be able to help fade are freckles and sun spots.

Skin sensitivity has to do with the skin's ability to resist irritation. Sensitive skin reacts easily to a stimulus with stinging, redness, or acne. Rosacea is in the sensitive skin category.

The last factor involved in choosing skin care is the presence of wrinkles. Sun exposure is a major factor in aging of the skin and wrinkles. Prevention is the best with the use of sunscreens in your skin care products.

Oily skin versus dry skin, pigmented versus non-pigmented, sensitive versus resistant, and aging skin are all factors involved choosing skin care products.