What is Skin Type and Concern Profile?
A skin type and concern profile scores your skin across oiliness and dryness, sensitivity, concerns, sun exposure and habits, and current routine to identify your dominant skin type (oily, dry, combination, sensitive, normal) and top concerns. It is a self-assessment that informs product selection; medical-grade concerns (cystic acne, suspected rosacea, eczema, melasma) route to a dermatologist for diagnosis.
The Formula
Profile Score = (Oiliness/Dryness) + (Sensitivity) + (Concerns) + (Sun Exposure) + (Current Routine)
Sensitivity is the most over-reported category; many adults assume sensitivity when the actual issue is over-exfoliation or a damaged barrier.
Worked Example
A 38-year-old reports oily T-zone with dry cheeks, occasional stinging from fragranced products but tolerance to actives, primary concerns of pigmentation and texture, daily SPF use, 5-step current routine including retinol.
- Oiliness/dryness: combination
- Sensitivity: mild, fragrance-reactive
- Concerns: pigmentation, texture
- Sun exposure: daily SPF, low cumulative
- Routine: 5-step, includes retinol
📌 Profile: combination skin with mild fragrance sensitivity, pigmentation and texture as primary concerns, mature anti-aging routine in place. Likely next steps: add a vitamin C antioxidant in AM, switch to fragrance-free formulations, consider professional pigmentation treatment (laser, peel) with a dermatologist if topical retinol has not produced adequate progress in 12-16 weeks.
Why This Matters
Most adults misidentify their dominant skin type
American Academy of Dermatology surveys consistently find sensitive and combination skin are the most over-reported categories. Misidentified skin type drives product mismatch, irritation, and routine abandonment; an honest profile is the foundation for products that actually work.
Routing medical concerns out of OTC is a key safety function
Cystic acne, rosacea, melasma, eczema, and persistent rashes need prescription treatment; OTC routines built around medical-grade concerns waste time and money while the underlying condition progresses. A profile that routes medical concerns to a dermatologist is materially safer than one that recommends OTC products for everything.
Common Mistakes
❌ Confusing a damaged barrier with sensitive skin
A damaged barrier (from over-exfoliation, aggressive cleansing, harsh actives) feels and behaves like sensitive skin, but a 4-6 week barrier-repair routine (gentle cleanser, ceramide moisturizer, no actives) resolves it. Treating barrier damage as permanent sensitivity locks you into unnecessarily restrictive products.
❌ Assuming skin type is fixed for life
Skin shifts with age (most adults become drier from their 30s onward), hormones (pregnancy, menopause), climate, and medications. Annual reassessment, or after any major life change, prevents using products formulated for a skin type you no longer have.
Industry Benchmarks
| Category | Good | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile re-assessment cadence | Annually or after major life change | Every 2-3 years | Never reassessed |
| Self-identified skin types matching dermatologist assessment | High match for oily and dry | Moderate for combination | Low for sensitive (most over-reported) |
| Adults who use SPF daily | Above 50% | 30-50% (CDC and AAD) | Below 30% |
Source: American Academy of Dermatology consumer surveys and CDC sun protection behavior data
Benchmark data sourced from American Academy of Dermatology consumer surveys and CDC sun protection behavior data.