Plastic Surgeon Reveals 5 Skin Types and How to Care for Them: ‘The Secret to Healthy Skin’

“There’s no universal formula for healthy skin,” says Dr. Anmol Chugh, Associate Director at the Plastics & Aesthetics Centre, CK Birla Hospital and Director of Imperio Clinics, Gurgaon. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, he emphasised, “The secret to radiant skin isn’t chasing every trend—it’s understanding your skin type and building a routine that respects it.”

Here’s Dr. Chugh’s guide to skin-specific care:

1. Normal Skin:
Balanced, smooth, and minimally breakout-prone. Keep it simple with a gentle cleanser, lightweight moisturizer, and broad-spectrum sunscreen. Preserve what works—don’t overcomplicate.

2. Dry Skin:
Tight, flaky, or dull skin benefits from hydrating cleansers, serums with hyaluronic acid or ceramides, and rich moisturisers. Moisturising sunscreens help maintain hydration. Avoid hot showers and harsh soaps that strip natural oils.

3. Oily Skin:
Shiny skin with enlarged pores or acne thrives on foaming cleansers with salicylic acid, oil-free moisturisers, and gel-based sunscreens. Never skip moisturizer—dehydrated skin produces more oil.

4. Combination Skin:
Oily T-zone with dry or normal cheeks requires a gentle foaming cleanser, alcohol-free toner, and light gel moisturizer. Target care for different zones rather than forcing a single routine.

5. Sensitive Skin:
Prone to redness or itching, sensitive skin responds best to fragrance-free cleansers, soothing serums (niacinamide or aloe), barrier-repair creams, and mineral sunscreens. Patch-test all new products.

“Remember, skin type isn’t static,” Dr. Chugh adds. “Age, hormones, pregnancy, lifestyle, and climate affect it. Sleep, hydration, stress management, and diet are just as crucial—they reflect directly on your skin.”