A Celebrity Aesthetician Shares the Best Skin-Care Routine For Your Skin Type

If you have oily skin, you probably know it. This skin type is categorized by its overproduction of oil, especially around the T-Zone area, and is usually breakout prone, but not always. "Oily skin types should use products that are noncomedogenic and limit the use of heavy oils," Darden says.

When it comes to face washes, look for products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These acne-fighting ingredients help clear out pores and prevent new breakouts from popping up. Try the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Face Cleanser ($15).

If you're using a face wash with acne-fighting ingredients, you want to be sure you're not overdoing it with your treatments, or else you'll risk drying out your skin. "Instead of a heavier moisturizer, try using a hyaluronic acid serum to deeply hydrate the skin like the Is Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum ($96)," Darden says.

"Follow up with a lightweight moisturizer like Shani Darden Skin Care Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer ($48), which has sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, along with hydrolyzed collagen to keep skin supple and hydrated," Darden says. Mainly, you want formulas that are noncomedogenic and won't clog your pores.

If your skin generally feels tight and uncomfortable, and you often have dry patches, your skin is likely dry. You want to avoid ingredients that are too harsh and instead focus on moisturizing products that will help hydrate and soothe your skin.

"Using a gentle cleanser that doesn't strip the skin is essential for all skin types, and is that much more important for dry skin types," Darden says. The HoliFrog Tashmoo Water Lily Nourishing Milky Face Wash ($35) has a milky texture that gently cleans skin without drying it out.

When it comes to serums for dry skin, focus on hydration with a pure hyaluronic acid serum. The more moisture you put back into your complexion, the better. A budget-friendly option is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum ($9).

On top of your serums, layer on an equally hydrating moisturizer. Dry skin types can tolerate thicker formulas, like the Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizer with Vitamin F ($65), which helps strengthen the natural moisture barrier of your skin against environmental stressors.

Combination skin can be tricky, because it means you have both dry and oily skin on your face. Typically, the oily areas are usually around the T-Zone and the drier areas are on the cheeks and forehead. "Combination skin types should focus on minimizing oil production to keep breakouts in check," Darden says.

Combination skin types need a cleanser that will fight acne, but the formula can't be too drying. Try the Ole Henriksen Pore-Balance Facial Sauna Scrub ($35), a cleanser formulated for combo skin types that contains AHAs to reduce excess oil and unclog pores, without stripping skin.

After cleansing away excess oil and dirt from the skin's surface, you want to replenish moisture into your skin. "Shani Darden Skin Care Sake Toning Essence ($52) has sebocytine and niacinamide, which can help to balance oil production and minimize the appearance of pores for more clear, glowing skin," Darden says.

"Like oily skin types, focus on hydrating the skin without the use of oils by using a lightweight moisturizer," Darden says. The Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Hydrating Moisturizer ($38) is a gel-cream formula that will coat your skin in a burst of hydration without feeling heavy or congesting pores.

If you have a normal skin type, your skin is probably easy to manage — it's not too oily, not too dry. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't need a routine.

Because your skin is fairly balanced, you don't need a cleanser that is too harsh. Look for one that will clear away dirt and impurities from your skin's surface without any potent acne-fighting ingredients, as they can cause irritation. The Fresh Soy Face Cleanser ($39) is a great option because it contains soy protein and rose water, so it shouldn't leave your skin tight after use.

When hunting for a serum, look for multi-tasking products that can target different skin concerns. The L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Glycolic Acid Face Serum ($26) is a daily use serum that helps reduce hyperpigmentation and pre-mature signs of aging by gently exfoliating the skin.

A product like the Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer ($48), which is lightweight yet hydrating, can deliver the right amount of moisture to your skin without feeling greasy.

Sensitive skin is easily irritated and can often be characterized as red or uncomfortable. This skin type can also be combined with others — for example, you can have sensitive acne-prone skin or sensitive dry skin. Because your skin is easily aggravated, you want to stick to calming, gentle products.

Scent is a common trigger for many people with sensitive skin. When it comes to your cleanser, look for an unscented option like the Aveeno Calm + Restore Redness Relief Foaming Cleanser ($11).

Darden recommends serums that help hydrate, calm, and protect the skin. Because it's easy to irritate sensitive skin, stay away from harsh ingredients and instead opt for soothing ones, like hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. The Glossier Super Bounce Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5 Hydrating Face Serum ($29) is a bestseller.

Sensitive skin can benefit from a moisturizer that helps hydrate and provides additional calming benefits to the skin. The lightweight Kiehl's Ultra Facial Refillable Moisturizing Cream ($38) is formulated with glacial glycoprotein to lock in moisture and keep your skin balanced while providing continuous comfort.

For acne-prone skin, it's all about managing and preventing breakouts. Look for products that are noncomedogenic so they don't clog pores, as well as exfoliating ingredients to slough away dead skin cells and keep new breakouts at bay.

Managing existing pimples and preventing new breakouts from forming starts with your face wash. Look for a product that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to keep pores clear. The Neutrogena Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Face Wash ($11) is formulated with maximum strength salicylic acid to keep your skin clean and clear.

Darden recommends treatment products that will "gently exfoliate and clear out congestion in the pores for smoother, glowing, clear skin." The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum ($68) uses salicylic acid and farnesol to prevent and clear pore blockage, while also helping minimize oiliness in the skin.

Even if you have acne-prone skin, it's never a good idea to skip out on moisturizer in your skin-care routine. Your skin needs hydration, especially after using acne-fighting ingredients that can be drying. The Tula Breakout Star Acne Moisturizer ($52) is lightweight and oil and alcohol-free, so it won't clog pores or dry your skin out.

Added pro tip: "LED light therapy can have a positive effect on the skin as well," Darden says. "Blue LED light kills acne-causing bacteria to clear up existing breakouts and prevent new ones from forming."