Customers frequently searched for:
Facial Skincare: How to Find the Right Skincare Products for Your Skin Type
There’s more to achieving a balanced complexion than just using a good cream: It’s crucial that your skincare routine is tailored to your skin type. After all, every skin type has its own strengths and weaknesses—what’s ideal for one person might cause irritation in others. But what does the perfect facial skincare routine look like? What’s the difference between oily skin and sensitive skin? We’ll break down the different skin types and show you how to find the right skincare for your skin type.
Why is skin care so important?
Your skin is more than just an outer layer—it’s your largest organ. It protects you from harmful environmental factors, regulates your body temperature, retains moisture, and serves as the immune system’s first line of defense. Well-cared-for skin is therefore not just a matter of aesthetics, but an active contribution to your health and well-being.
- Protection from external factors
Your skin is exposed to UV rays, air pollution, and blue light every day. The right skincare routine protects you from oxidative stress and prevents cell damage. Products like the Anti-Pollution Day Cream with SPF and a blue light filter protect your skin from premature aging.
- Hydration & Skin Barrier
A strong skin barrier is essential for your skin to retain moisture. As you age, the skin barrier becomes thinner and its protective function weakens—using the right skincare products with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, or ceramides strengthens this protective function, prevents moisture loss, and protects your skin from dryness and irritation.
- Long-Term Skin Health
With a consistent skincare routine tailored to your needs, you not only prevent visible signs of aging—you also actively support skin longevity of your skin. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, retinol, and peptides promote regeneration, strengthen the skin’s structure, and help your skin stay healthy, supple, and radiant for years to come.
- Mental Well-Being
Studies show that when you feel good in your own skin, it shows. Well-cared-for skin boosts self-esteem and has a positive effect on our inner balance and our relationships with others. That’s why skincare is also a form of self-care.
"Your skin tells your story. Let it be a story of love."
- Dr. Luise Berger
What is a skin type, and why is it so important?
A skin type describes the basic characteristics of your skin, particularly in terms of sebum production, moisture content, sensitivity, and pore structure. These characteristics are largely genetically determined but can change due to external factors such as climate, stress, hormones, or age. The common skin types are normal, dry, sensitive, oily, combination, and mature skin. Before you invest in active ingredients or anti-aging skincare, it’s worth determining which skin type you have.
Dry skin, for example, is characterized by low sebum production, which causes it to feel tight, flaky, or irritated more quickly. Oily skin, on the other hand, produces more sebum than necessary, which can lead to a shiny complexion and enlarged pores. Combination skin is—as the name suggests—a combination of both conditions: oily in the T-zone, dry on the cheeks.
The thickness and permeability of your skin layers can also vary. Some skin types react very quickly to external stimuli or certain ingredients. This sensitive skin requires particularly soothing care.
By the way: As you age, your skin type often changes again: Sebum and moisture production decrease, and your skin becomes thinner and loses its firmness and elasticity. That’s why it’s a good idea to monitor your skin regularly—and adjust your skincare routine according to your skin’s current condition and the season.
Find Skincare Products for Your Skin Type
Only by knowing your skin type can you choose the best skincare products for your face. A personalized skincare routine helps you avoid mistakes: For example, a rich night cream is recommended for dry skin, while oily skin is better suited to lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas. At DOC.BERGER EFFECT, for example, we offer specialized cleansers and serums for different skin types.
The Consequences of Improper Skin Care
If you use products that aren't right for your skin type, it can lead to irritation, breakouts, or a dull complexion.
A regular skin check helps you assess your current skin condition. Our free skin analysis from DOC BERGER EFFECT offers you an easy way to determine your skin type and find products that suit your needs.
An Overview of Skin Types and Skincare Products
Below, we’ll give you a detailed overview of the different skin types and explain what to look for in your skincare routine, which active ingredients have proven effective, and how you can promote your skin’s balance and vitality over the long term.
1. Skincare for Normal Skin
Does your skin feel balanced, have fine pores, and rarely experience breakouts? Then you have “normal skin.” It produces just the right amount of sebum and maintains a stable moisture balance. But even normal skin needs care—especially preventive care.
What she needs: A gentle, non-drying cleanser; moisturizing products containing hyaluronic acid or vitamin C; and daily sunscreen to protect her skin from UV-induced aging.
Active ingredients suitable for normal skin:
Normal Skin benefits from a balanced combination of active ingredients: hyaluronic acid and collagen provide intense hydration without weighing the skin down. Vitamin C and vitamin E have antioxidant effects and help ensure an even complexion. Peptides such as Argireline® and SYNAKE help prevent wrinkles and support skin regeneration.
2. Skincare for Dry Skin: An Intensive Moisture Boost
Dry skin is often genetic, but can also be exacerbated by external factors such as dry indoor air from heating, cold weather, or improper skincare. You can recognize it by a feeling of tightness after washing, flakiness, or fine lines that form due to a lack of moisture.
What she needs: Gentle cleansing. Avoid hot water and alcohol-based toners. Apply moisturizer at least twice a day, especially after showering or spending time outdoors. Be sure to use a highly concentrated hyaluronic acid serum or a high-quality collagen serum.
Active ingredients suitable for dry skin:
Dry skin benefits particularly from moisturizer and ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid retains water deep within the skin, while glycoin and ceramides improve regeneration and resilience. Shea butter and argan oil provide long-lasting nourishment to the skin without weighing it down. Vitamin E protects against free radicals, Desamido Collagen promotes skin elasticity and smooths the complexion.
3. How to Care for Combination Skin: Finding the Right Balance
Combination skin is a common skin type characterized by uneven sebum distribution: The so-called T-zone—the forehead, nose, and chin—usually exhibits increased sebum production, enlarged pores, and a tendency toward shine and blemishes. The cheeks, on the other hand, are often normal to dry, may feel tight, and are prone to flaking.
What it needs: A tailored skincare routine is essential for combination skin. The goal is to regulate excess oil in the T-zone while deeply moisturizing the drier areas. Light, oil-free skincare products are ideal for the T-zone, while richer creams are best for the cheeks.
Active ingredients suitable for combination skin:
Combination skin requires balancing care: Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, while salicylic acid clears clogged pores and prevents breakouts. Glycolic acid supports cell renewal and refines the skin’s texture. Retinol helps smooth fine lines and reduce blemishes.
4. Skincare for Oily Skin
Oily skin produces an excessive amount of sebum, which leads to a shiny complexion, enlarged pores, and often breakouts as well. Causes can include hormonal changes, stress, or the use of unsuitable skincare products.
What she needs: Stick to double cleansing in the morning and at night. Also, look for lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas. Popular choices include our Anti-Pollution Day Cream and the Time Machine Night Cream are popular choices.
Active ingredients suitable for oily skin:
Oily skin benefits from clarifying, sebum-regulating, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Niacinamide helps normalize sebum production and soothes irritated skin. Salicylic acid deeply cleanses the pores and prevents breakouts. Fruit acid peels with AHA/BHA refine your skin texture and promote regeneration.
5. Skincare for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin reacts quickly—with redness, a burning sensation, tightness, or dryness. It is often thinner, more permeable, and less resistant to external stimuli such as cold, UV radiation, or irritating ingredients.
What she needs:
Choose clean beauty: products free of fragrances, alcohol, parabens, microplastics, and other irritating additives. Sensitive skin benefits especially from creams containing skin-identical lipids that strengthen the skin’s natural protective function. The goal is to restore balance to the skin barrier—gently but effectively.
Active ingredients suitable for sensitive skin:
Phosphatidylcholine strengthens the cell membrane and supports a healthy skin barrier. Panthenol, Centella asiatica (tiger grass), and aloe vera have intense soothing and anti-inflammatory effects. Ceramides help lock in moisture and make the skin more resilient to external irritants.
6. How to Properly Care for Problem Skin
Blemished skin is not a distinct skin type in itself, but rather a condition that can occur in any of the five skin types—especially during stressful periods, hormonal changes, or when using the wrong skincare products. Typical symptoms include blackheads, clogged pores, inflamed pimples, or an uneven complexion.
What she needs:
Thorough cleansing—both in the morning and at night. Chemical peels are also recommended to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells. Important: Avoid excessive mechanical exfoliation, don’t use harsh scrubs, and don’t squeeze pimples—this worsens inflammation and can leave scars.
Effective ingredients for blemish-prone skin: Salicylic acid (BHA) clears pores and reduces inflammation. Glycolic acid (AHA) promotes cell renewal and refines the skin’s texture. Green tea and azeloglicina® (a gentle form of azelaic acid) soothe redness and have antibacterial properties.
Do you have any questions about our products? Contact us on Instagram or TikTok
Skin Care for People Over 50: The Needs of Mature Skin
As we age, our skin’s needs change significantly: Cell regeneration slows down, collagen production decreases, and external factors such as UV radiation, pollutants, and facial expressions leave visible marks. About 80% of all wrinkles and age spots are caused by UV radiation—so daily sun protection is essential, even on cloudy days. Expression lines form primarily around the eyes and on the forehead, while air pollution causes oxidative stress and weakens the skin barrier. Mature skin needs care that not only nourishes but also specifically regenerates and protects.
What she needs: A well-balanced system consisting of cleansing products and highly concentrated facial serums, eye care, and day and night treatments. It’s not enough to focus on individual steps in isolation—once you reach 50, your skin needs comprehensive care. The goal is to minimize damage and maintain your skin’s current condition for as long as possible. Eye masks like our Glowing Eye Patches , with their firming and decongesting effects, round out your routine.
Active ingredients suitable for mature skin:
Biobotox (Spilanthol) relaxes muscles and visibly reduces expression lines—without any injections. Growth factors and argan stem cells stimulate cell regeneration and help the skin naturally produce collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid again. Juvinity®, an award-winning telomerase activator, specifically delays cellular skin aging and promotes skin longevity. The formula also contains ferulic acid, retinol, and SYNAke are ideal active ingredients for skin aged 50 and older.
The Right Skincare Routine: Cleanse, Nourish, and Protect
Regardless of skin type, effective skincare always follows the same sequence: Cleansing → Toning → Face Serum → Eye Care → Day/Night Cream. An effective skincare routine consists of several coordinated steps. Why is this important? Because each step lays the groundwork for the next —and only when they work together can they reach their full potential.
1. Double Cleansing – The First Key to Effective Results
Thoroughly cleanse your face in the morning and evening with a mild cleansing foam to remove sweat, sebum, and makeup—without drying out your skin. Next, apply the facial toner: It refreshes the skin, removes any remaining residue, soothes, and restores the skin’s pH balance. Only clean skin can optimally absorb active ingredients.
2. Serums – Concentrated Active Ingredients
After cleansing, the skin is particularly receptive. Now is the ideal time to use serums with highly effective ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid, or peptides. These lightweight formulas penetrate deep into the skin and specifically target individual skin concerns—such as wrinkles, dark spots, or dryness.
Tip: When you layer multiple serums, you can strategically combine and intensify their effects. Always make sure to apply them in the correct order: from liquid to solid—that is, start with watery textures, followed by gel-like or more viscous ones.
3. Creams – Seal, Protect, Nourish
Finally, apply the moisturizer: It seals in the active ingredients applied earlier and protects your skin from external factors. In the morning, we recommend a day cream with sun protection, such as our Anti-Pollution Day Cream, which contains an additional filter against blue light—and in the evening, a regenerating night cream with a richer texture.
In this way, each step works in tandem with the others: Cleansing optimally prepares the skin, serums address specific concerns or enhance certain properties, and finally, moisturizers protect against dryness, aging, and environmental stressors. Those who consistently tailor their skincare routine to their skin type and condition are investing in the best facial skincare and achieving a healthy, firm complexion.
Skin Care Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them
Even with the best of intentions, skincare can be counterproductive if basic rules aren't followed. In your facial skincare routine, you should avoid the following:
- Too much or too little cleansing— both can throw your skin out of balance. We recommend gently cleansing your skin in the morning and evening with Foam & Tonic.
- You're mixing everything up— serums after moisturizer? Or is it the other way around? The right order for your skincare routine: Double cleansing → Serums → Eye care → Day/night cream.
- Don't stop using a product just because it feels tingly or tight at first —a slight tingling sensation is often a good sign that your skin is working. Just like sore muscles!
- No sunscreen —UV rays are the #1 cause of aging, even on cloudy days!
- Neglecting your neck and décolleté —the skin there is thinner and ages faster. Take care of it just like you do your face!
- Using only a few products —skin care is like a puzzle where all the pieces fit together perfectly. Our products are designed to complement and enhance each other!
- Changing products too often —Your skin renews itself approximately every 28 days—and even more slowly as you get older. Stick with it and give the active ingredients time to take full effect!
- Don't just listen to your skin: Your skin changes—depending on the season, your hormonal balance, or your stress levels. Keep your routine flexible and adjust it regularly to suit YOU.
You can read more about how your skin changes with the seasons in our blog post:
-
October 31, 2023 – Dr. Luise Berger
Skincare Throughout the Seasons: Your Guide to Radiant Skin All Year Round
Our skin is a living organ that constantly reacts to the environment. Just as nature changes with the seasons, so do our skin’s needs. From...
Read more
Conclusion: The perfect skincare routine starts with your skin type
Your skin is unique—and your skincare routine should be, too. With the right routine and the active ingredients that work for you, you can specifically target tightness, blemishes, and signs of aging. DOC BERGER EFFECT supports you with expertise and high-quality products on your journey to healthy, radiant skin.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FACIAL SKIN CARE
Examine your skin right after cleansing—without any skincare products. If your T-zone is very shiny while your cheeks tend to be dry, this indicates combination skin. If your skin feels tight, looks flaky, or feels rough, you likely have dry skin. Oily skin is characterized by a persistent shine and enlarged pores. If you’re unsure: The free online skin analysis from DOC BERGER EFFECT will help you accurately determine your skin type.
Online self-tests or observing your skin after cleansing can provide initial clues—but they often cannot replace a thorough analysis. If you really want to understand what your skin needs, you should have it professionally assessed during a consultation with a skincare expert.
At the practice of Dr. Luise Berger, a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Munich, you’ll receive a personalized, holistic skin analysis along with individual consultation. During this process, your skin texture, pore appearance, moisture and lipid levels, and potential problem areas are professionally assessed—serving as the foundation for a tailored skincare plan. Depending on your skin condition and desired results, Dr. Berger will also discuss medical-aesthetic options such as Botox for expression lines, hyaluronic acid fillers for volume restoration, or biostimulators for long-term skin improvement. The focus is always on achieving a natural result and the synergy between skincare, prevention, and minimally invasive methods.
Learn more about the comprehensive skin analysis offered by Dr. Berger in Munich
The best skincare is the one that suits your skin type and addresses your skin’s current needs. A good routine always includes cleansing, serum, moisturizer, and sun protection. In our view, the best facial care products are those that use highly concentrated, scientifically proven active ingredients while also featuring clean formulations —meaning they consistently avoid controversial additives such as alcohol, parabens, fragrances, silicones, or microplastics.
You should start a proper skincare routine as early as your teenage years, especially if you begin to experience skin issues such as breakouts, oily skin, or dryness. Starting around age 25, it makes sense to invest in targeted anti-aging ingredients like Biobotox, antioxidants, or retinol to help prevent skin aging. The sooner you start supporting your skin with the right skincare, the healthier, more balanced, and more radiant it will remain in the long run!
Choose moisturizing products containing hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or urea. It’s important to use a mild, moisturizing cleanser and rich skincare products that strengthen the skin barrier. Especially during the winter months, your skin needs intensive care—for example, with the Hyaluron Lifting Serum and the Collagen Night Cream.
Zone-specific skincare: The T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) benefits from clarifying ingredients such as niacinamide or salicylic acid, while the drier cheeks need moisture—for example, from hyaluronic acid and collagen. Use lightweight, non-greasy formulas and tailor your skincare routine to each specific area of your face.
Mature skin needs support in several areas: hydration, protection against free radicals, and stimulation of cell renewal. Proven active ingredients include retinol, vitamin C, and peptides.
You should take care of your skin twice a day—in the morning and at night. In the morning, the focus is on protecting your skin from environmental factors, UV rays, and moisture loss; at night, the emphasis is on regeneration and delivering active ingredients. Only through consistent use can you achieve visible, long-term results—regardless of whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or mature skin.
Both skincare products serve different purposes —and are therefore equally important. The day cream protects your skin from UV rays, environmental stressors, and moisture loss. A good day cream should ideally contain a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and antioxidants such as vitamin C or ferulic acid. The night cream supports the skin’s regeneration overnight and provides it with richer active ingredients such as retinol, peptides, or growth factors. For healthy, radiant skin, you should use both creams as part of your daily skincare routine—tailored to your skin type.