I'm having a hard time figuring out which direction to take. I know some people are borderline on 1 or 2 categories, but I'm perfectly borderline on all 4. But opted to go with the "worse" category for most of them, so I am addressing all my skin's needs. The one where I had the hardest time though, was deciding on oily vs. dry.  I was literally right on the border every time I have taken the test (many). Those routines seem markedly different, and that is probably where I need the most direction.

Maybe if I give a bit of info on my skin this will help:

Oily vs. Dry - I tend to dry easily from products, and the surface of my skin is dehydrated, yet I have lots of clogged pores and can be oily at certain times of the month, dry at others.

Sensitive vs. Resistant - I think I tested as a more sensitive type due to a tendency toward  mild acne breakouts, so I will treat myself as an S, but in reality my skin seems to tolerate BHAs, Benzoyl peroxide, AHAs, and even retinoids in college when I used them, really well, with minimal to no irritation.

Pigmented vs. Non-Pigmented - I am non pigmented in all areas except for a darn patch of melasma that I can't get rid of. It darkens when I get a lot of sun, so I'm treating myself as a P.

Wrinkled vs. Tight - this one's easy. While my whole family looks young, I do live in a sunny climate, am fair, and am the outdoorsy type so I do get lots of sun exposure. And silly that I was, when I was in grad school, I used AHAs and retinoids without sunscreen because I was afraid of breaking out. Bad, bad girl. I am a  W for sure, this is the category I'm the most sure about. And now at 38 I am getting lots of fine lines. Now my mom is even pointing them out to me too. (Thanks a lot mom!)

So can you guys give me some direction on where to start? I'm getting hung up on the oily vs. dry category, because of my clogged pores, acne breakouts, etc. It seems like the Dry routines don't address this as much, but I don't want the Oily routines to dry me out either.

Thanks in advance!
Jen

I'm having a hard time figuring out which direction to take. I know some people are borderline on 1 or 2 categories, but I'm perfectly borderline on all 4. But opted to go with the "worse" category for most of them, so I am addressing all my skin's needs. The one where I had the hardest time though, was deciding on oily vs. dry.  I was literally right on the border every time I have taken the test (many). Those routines seem markedly different, and that is probably where I need the most direction.

Maybe if I give a bit of info on my skin this will help:

Oily vs. Dry - I tend to dry easily from products, and the surface of my skin is dehydrated, yet I have lots of clogged pores and can be oily at certain times of the month, dry at others.

Sensitive vs. Resistant - I think I tested as a more sensitive type due to a tendency toward  mild acne breakouts, so I will treat myself as an S, but in reality my skin seems to tolerate BHAs, Benzoyl peroxide, AHAs, and even retinoids in college when I used them, really well, with minimal to no irritation.

Pigmented vs. Non-Pigmented - I am non pigmented in all areas except for a darn patch of melasma that I can't get rid of. It darkens when I get a lot of sun, so I'm treating myself as a P.

Wrinkled vs. Tight - this one's easy. While my whole family looks young, I do live in a sunny climate, am fair, and am the outdoorsy type so I do get lots of sun exposure. And silly that I was, when I was in grad school, I used AHAs and retinoids without sunscreen because I was afraid of breaking out. Bad, bad girl. I am a  W for sure, this is the category I'm the most sure about. And now at 38 I am getting lots of fine lines. Now my mom is even pointing them out to me too. (Thanks a lot mom!)

So can you guys give me some direction on where to start? I'm getting hung up on the oily vs. dry category, because of my clogged pores, acne breakouts, etc. It seems like the Dry routines don't address this as much, but I don't want the Oily routines to dry me out either.

Thanks in advance!
Jen

I'd try OSPW and switch to D if things dried me out. If, later on, the S stuff isn't strong enough for acne, try some R stuff. Just my guess - and I'm sure that others will have better answers!

Paulooly's suggestion is a good one.
I'm OSNW but am only slightly oily (28) but do have the problems with breakouts. Before reading the book I'd have said I was combination skin, the archetypal oily t-zone. I've gone with the oily route and haven't found it dries me out at all and it does address the oily problem area.
Try to get samples of the products so that you haven't lost anything if it doesn't work for you.
Hope this helps.

Jen, the Aveeno Ultra Calming Lotion SPF might be a good choice for your day moisturizer. She recommends it in the dry and oily categories. I've used it and really like it. It has a scent though, that I don't care for. It might not bother you though.

c

You're not alone in your dilemma. I am slightly oily, slightly resistant, two points away from being pigmented, and the same with w/t. I went with what she suggest for ornw. What's interesting is that i am breaking out from something (pimple here and there). I think I'm going to start out with one new product and see how that goes, then keep adding. You don't sound too sensitve. I use all the aha, bha, Vitamin c, retinol without a problem like you, then I may put something on my face and it aggravates it. Try going the resistant route slowly adding new stuff and see if your face can handle it. keep us posted, cathy