How to Identify Your Skin Type & Find the Right Fragrance

Choosing a perfume that lasts long and smells true to its character doesnt depend only on the fragrance itselfyour skin type plays a major role. Different skin conditions affect how perfume develops, how long it stays, and which notes shine the most. Heres how to identify your skin type and match it with the scents that work best.


How to Check Your Skin Type
You can easily identify your skin type with these simple methods:

1. The Bare-Face Test (Most Accurate)
Cleanse your face with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
Do not apply any skincare.
Wait 45-60 minutes.
Observe your skin:

Feels tight or flaky Dry skin
Shines only on the T-zone Combination skin
Feels balanced, not oily or flaky Normal skin
Shiny all over, visible pores Oily skin

2. The Blotting Sheet Test
Press blotting paper on different areas of your face.
Compare results:

Little to no oil Dry skin
Oil only on T-zone Combination skin
Moderate oil Normal skin
A lot of oil on most areas Oily skin

3. Sensitivity Check
Notice if your skin...

Reacts easily
Turns red
Gets irritated by skincare, weather, or fragrance
This means you have sensitive skin, which also affects perfume performance and safe application.

Which Perfume Notes Suit Each Skin Type?
Different skin types hold, release, or alter fragrance molecules differently. Choosing scents that match your skin helps improve longevity and scent accuracy.


1. Dry Skin
Dry skin absorbs fragrance quickly, making scents fade faster.

Best Notes
Vanilla
Amber
Musk
Gourmand notes (caramel, tonka, chocolate)
Woody notes (sandalwood, cedar)
These notes are warm, dense, and long-lastingperfect for compensating for fast absorption.

Tips
Apply an unscented moisturizer before perfume.
Choose EDP or extrait concentrations.

2. Oily Skin
Oily skin amplifies scent intensity and helps perfume last longer.

Best Notes
Fresh citrus (bergamot, lemon, grapefruit)
Green notes
Aquatic and marine notes
Mint and herbal notes
These bright, refreshing notes stay clean and balanced on oily skin without becoming too strong.

Tips
Avoid overly heavy scentsthey may become overpowering.
Lighter EDT formulas work very well.

3. Normal Skin
Normal skin offers the most balanced performancemost perfumes stay true and last well.

Best Notes
Almost anything works:

Floral (rose, jasmine, lily of the valley)
Soft woods
Soft musks
Fruit notes
This skin type allows you to experiment freely.


4. Combination Skin
Combination skin reacts differently depending on the area.

Best Notes
Floral-fruity blends
Soft amber
Modern musks
Light spices (pink pepper, cardamom)
These notes adapt well to areas that produce different oil levels.

Tips
Apply on less oily spots for balanced performance.

5. Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin doesnt change scent drastically, but it reacts easily.

Best Notes
Clean musk
Aromatic herbs (lavender)
Soft florals
Hypoallergenic or IFRA-safe blends

Tips
Spray on clothes instead of skin.
Avoid heavy spices, strong aldehydes, or high alcohol concentration.