Are Skin Types a Total Myth? We Asked Experts for the Tea

I always thought that having acne meant it was just my particular skin’s “type,” but now, I’m learning that there are so many different factors that can contribute to the condition of your skin—which may actually have nothing to do with genetics like I originally thought. At the top of the year, I decided to start taking things like gut health more seriously to see if it could be causing my skin issues. Studies show that there can be a link between the health of your digestive system and how often you’re breaking out, so if you’re also struggling, it’s definitely worth looking into.

Gut health aside, experts think that your environment can play a big role in the health of your skin. If all this is the case, it raises a few questions for me. Are skin types a myth then? Do we all just experience environmental dryness and underlying health issues that contribute to the condition of our skin? I tapped a celebrity esthetician and dermatologist to weigh in on this. Keep scrolling for what they had to share.

Are skin types actually a myth?

Okay, saying that skin types are a myth might be a bit bold. While I think that there are definitely factors like genetics that play a role in how our skin behaves, I want to stress that underlying health imbalances and environmental factors can play an even bigger part than we realize. Like I mentioned above, I thought that there was nothing that could be done for my acne-prone skin, but that just wasn’t true. I started taking gut health more seriously this year, and what do you know? My skin started to clear up!

Celebrity esthetician Angela Caglia also has a few things to say on the topic of skin types. “I think [the idea is] quite limiting,” she says. “Our skin type can change with hormonal changes, stress, environmental changes, and lifestyle. This is why it’s important to have a facialist who is an expert to guide you with the changes in your skin.”

Board-certified dermatologist Lauren Penzi, MD, also weighs in. “This is difficult to say, as not all skin conditions are the same, but in general, most skin conditions are multifactorial, in that they are due to both innate factors as well as environmental factors. For example, acne is due to underlying factors like genetics [and] hormones but can also be impacted by environmental factors like hygiene, skincare products, pollution, etc.,” she adds.

To sum up, the idea of skin types can be a bit limiting. It is possible to discover later on that your acne-prone skin was mostly due to underlying issues like gut health (guilty) or that your oily skin could actually be due to living in an extra-dry environment where your skin has been overcompensating by producing more oil. Although this may not always be the case, it’s still important to look into these potential hidden factors, especially if it’s something you’ve struggled with for a while.

What factors contribute to the health of our skin?

I asked both Caglia and Penzi to elaborate a bit more on what other factors (besides genetics) can contribute to the health of our skin. Caglia sees the skin as a reflection of what’s going on internally. “The skin is your largest organ and a barometer for a lot of internal issues too,” she explains. “If there is a sudden change with your skin, it’s important to see your physician. Eczema, for example, can be a result of some blood pressure medications, so you’d want to test this and work with your doctor to find another. A lot of skin conditions are a result of stress as well.”

As noted above, your environment can play a big role in how your skin reacts to things. Penzi says, “[Your] environment can impact [your] skin in many ways, both positive and negative. The climate in which you live can definitely change your skin. For example, cold, low-humidity environments can lead to dry, flaky skin and can potentially impair the skin barrier. UV exposure obviously has a known impact on skin health, with too much exposure leading to sunburn, photoaging, and [an] increased risk for skin cancer. Aerosolized pollutants like chemicals and dust can also cause irritation.” Caglia also explains what can happen if your skin is taken out of its element: “If you are in a climate your skin is not used to, it may react differently. For example, humidity and heat may not work with your current heavier skincare or makeup and cause you to break out.”

If their explanations leave you wondering what seasonal adjustments you should make to your skincare routine, don’t worry. Penzi and Caglia offered a bit of advice here too. It should be noted that this is general advice and may not work for every single person’s skin needs, but it’s a good place to start.

If you’re dealing with combination skin that’s dry during the winter and oily during the summer, Caglia says, “You’d want to change to oil-based products in the winter and heavier shea nut butter–type skincare and lighter water-based skincare in the summer.” Penzi adds, “Wearing sunscreen (SPF 30+) daily obviously protects your skin from UV radiation. Wearing a moisturizer can provide a protective barrier on your skin to shield from environmental pollutants. Moisturizers with humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin can also help to retain moisture in the skin, which is necessary if you live in a cold, dry climate. On the flip side, those in high-humidity environments will want to use lightweight, oil-free products and will want to exfoliate to avoid sebum and dirt buildup in the pores.”

For a few summer swaps that Caglia and Penzi recommend, keep on scrolling.