The Baumann Skin Type Classification System is the skin type classification system used by dermatologists in their medical offices to divide patients into 16 Skin Types. These 16 distinct skin types  are used  to prescribe the best skin care regimen for their skin.

The Baumann skin typing system was first revealed publicly in my New York Times bestselling book The Skin Type Solution (Bantam 2006) and has been included in many medical textbooks including Fitzpatrick Dermatology in General Medicine and Cosmetic Dermatology. ^(1-9)

It is used throughout the world. 

You can take the Baumann Skin Type skin care quiz online, or find a participating doctor near you.

Get a customized skin care routine with step by step instructions

Get skin care product recommendations for each step in your skin care routine from many medical grade skin care brands

Read product reviews from others with the same Baumann Skin Type as you

Earn points that can be used towards skin care product purchases

Receive educational emails about your skin type (You can opt out)

Browse the skin care library to learn more about your skin's needs

Visit our You Tube channel to see interviews from others with your same skin type and hear from skin care product scientists and dermatologists

Skin Type Solutions custom regimens at one of our doctor's clinics

Each skin type is determined by the presence or absence of 4 barriers to skin health.  Your skin care routine will be designed to target the underlying barriers to skin health that are affecting your skin's health and appearance. Your skin care routine will target all of the following skin issues you may have:

Dehydration

Excess sebum

Inflammation

Hyperpigmentation

Skin aging

Our goal is to help you improve your skin type by using the best skin care products layered in the proper order in your custom skin care routine.

D= Dehydration or Dry Skin or O = Oily skin or Normal skin  

S= Sensitive Skin or R= Resistant Skin

P= Uneven skin pigment (dark spots on face) or N= No dark spots

W= Wrinkle-prone or T= Tight unwrinkled skin & healthy habits

Your 4-letter skin type designation code, called the Baumann Skin Type Indicator, takes one letter from each section above together to represent your Baumann Skin Type on the skin type chart. 

For example, DSNW is dry, sensitive, no uneven pigment, and wrinkle-prone. 

While some skin types might be easier to take care of than others, all skin types can get to perfect skin health by following the right custom regimen.

Each skin type is prone to a different combination skin health concerns, so knowing your skin type is the first step towards skin health.

For example, Skin type 3 can experience all four barriers to skin health, while type 10 typically experiences none.

Each skin type has its own dedicated blog post, listed below. Check out yours for specific information and strategies on your skin.

DSPT  Baumann Skin Type  1

DSNT  Baumann Skin Type  2

DSPW Baumann Skin Type 3

DSNW Baumann Skin Type 4

OSPT Baumann Skin Type 5

OSNT Baumann Skin Type 6

OSPW Baumann Skin Type 7

OSNW Baumann Skin Type 8

ORPT Baumann Skin Type 9

ORNT Baumann Skin Type 10 

ORPW Baumann Skin Type 11

ORNW Baumann Skin Type 12

DRPT Baumann Skin Type 13

DRNT Baumann Skin Type 14

DRPW Baumann Skin Type 15

DRNW Baumann Skin Type 16

Once you know your Baumann Skin Type, you will be given a custom skincare routine with exact product recommendations in a step by step morning and evening skin care routine. 

We will recommend our favorite product for each step of the routine, but each step has substitutes in case you have preferences or specific price ranges. 

If you are a vegan, it can be a minefield to find cruelty free, animal free skin care products. Luckily, there are a few kinds of notation that make spotting vegan products a little easier.

Look for products labeled "clean," or "cruelty-free." Our customizable routines will allow you to choose based on your beliefs and still ensure that the skincare products are right for you!

Once you know your Baumann Skin Type, you'll have all the information you need for perfect skin health at your fingertips. Dive into the rabbit hole of our ingredient library; get real information backed by studies on where ingredients come from and what they do to skin.

You will receive a suggested skincare routine that is customized for your skin type and lifestyle habits.

Join our Community!

Stay current on Skin Care, Skin Types and Skin Science by watching our Skin Type Talks Series on You Tube.  Come on the show and tell us about your skin type's issues.

We hope you will join our community and share reviews, experiences and advice with others that have taken the same steps to skin health you have through the Baumann Skin Type system.

We are passionate about your skin care.

1. Baumann, L. (2008, 2012, 2019). Cosmetics and Skin Care in Dermatology. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. 7t, 8^th and 9^th New York: McGraw Hill.
2. Baumann L. Ch. 10 in Baumann’s Cosmetic Dermatology Ed. 3 (McGraw Hill 2022)
3. Baumann, L. (2006). The skin type solution: a revolutionary guide to your best skin ever. Bantam.
4. Baumann, L. (2009). The Baumann skin-type indicator: a novel approach to understanding skin type. Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology, 3rd Edition, Informa Healthcare, New York, 29-40.
5. Baumann, L. (2008). Understanding and treating various skin types: the Baumann Skin Type Indicator. Dermatologic clinics, 26(3), 359-373.
6. Castanedo-Tardan, M. P., & Baumann, L. (2009). Ethics of selling skin care. Clinics in dermatology, 27(4), 355-358.
7. Baumann, L. (2020). 14 A Scientific Approach to Cosmeceuticals. The Art of Aesthetic Surgery, Three Volume Set: Principles and Techniques.
8. Baumann, Leslie S. “The Baumann Skin Typing System” in Farage MA, et al. Textbook of Aging Skin. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg (2017): 1579-1594.
9. Baumann, L. (2009). The Baumann skin-type indicator: a novel approach to understanding skin type. Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology, 3rd Edition, Informa Healthcare, New York, 29-40.
10. Roberts, W. E. (2009). Skin type classification systems old and new. Dermatologic clinics, 27(4), 529-533.
11. Choi, J. Y., Choi, Y. J., Nam, J. H., Jung, H. J., Lee, G. Y., & Kim, W. S. (2016). Identifying skin type using the Baumann skin type questionnaire in Korean women who visited a dermatologic clinic. Korean Journal of Dermatology, 54(6), 422-437.
12. Cho, S. I., Kim, D., Lee, H., Um, T. T., & Kim, H. (2023). Explore highly relevant questions in the Baumann skin type questionnaire through the digital skin analyzer: A retrospective single?center study in South Korea. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
13. Oliveira, R., Ferreira, J., Azevedo, L. F., & Almeida, I. F. (2023). An Overview of Methods to Characterize Skin Type: Focus on Visual Rating Scales and Self-Report Instruments. Cosmetics, 10(1), 14.
14. Tao, M., Li, M., Zhang, Y., Gu, D., Pan, R., & Xu, Y. (2023). The relationship between the distribution of facial erythema and skin type in rosacea patients: a cross-sectional analysis. Archives of Dermatological Research, 1-4.
15. Hong, J. Y., Park, S. J., Seo, S. J., & Park, K. Y. (2020). Oily sensitive skin: A review of management options. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(5), 1016-1020.
16. Shin, Y. B., Kwon, C. I., Jo, J. W., Jeong, H. B., Moon, Y. S., Jung, E. C., ... & Yoon, T. J. (2018). P199: Baumann skin type in outpatient. ????? (? ???), 70(2), 457-457.
17. Park, J. W., Park, S. J., Park, K. Y., Ahn, G. Y., Seo, S. J., & Kim, M. N. (2019). P062: A study on the correlation of skin types with genetic factors and environmental factors in Koreans. ????? (? ???), 71(2), 354-354.
18. Lee, Y. B., Ahn, S. K., Ahn, G. Y., Bak, H., Hong, S. P., Go, E. J., ... & Goo, J. W. (2019). Baumann Skin Type in the Korean Male Population. Annals of Dermatology, 31(6), 621-630.
19. Ahn, S. K., Jun, M., Bak, H., Park, B. D., Hong, S. P., Lee, S. H., ... & Park, K. (2017). Baumann skin type in the Korean female population. Annals of dermatology, 29(5), 586-596.
20. Choi, J. Y., Lim, J. Y., Kim, H. S., Min, J., Kim, J. I., Seo, H. M., ... & Kim, W. S. (2015). P241: A study on Korean women's skin types by baumann skin type questionnaire. ????? (? ???), 67(2), 501-502.
21. Kim, B. K., Choe, S. J., Lee, S. H., Min, P. K., & Hana, B. (2014). P110: Analysis of Baumann skin type in Korean women. ????? (? ???), 66(2), 355-355.