The OSPT skin type is one of 16 unique skin types identified in the Baumann Skin Typing System, a dermatologist-developed skin typing system created by professor Leslie Baumann in 2005. If you have oily, sensitive, pigmented, and tight skin, your Baumann skin type is OSPT.
While this skin type doesn’t struggle with signs of aging, it may struggle with excess sebum, large pores, sensitivity, and dark spots. To help with these concerns, we suggest building a skincare routine combines gentle exfoliation, a brightening effect, and lightweight hydration.
This post is part of a series on the Baumann Skin Typing System, a dermatologist-developed skin typing system with 16 different skin types. If you are a OSPT skin type, keep reading; if not, take our quiz to find your unique skin type!
On this post:
- What is the Baumann Skin Typing System?
- What are the 16 Baumann skin types?
- The OSPTskin type: How to identify it
- How to care for OSPT skin
What is the Baumann Skin Typing System?
The Baumann Skin Type Indicator, or Baumann Skin Typing System, is a skin type classification system created by dermatology professor Leslie Baumann. It was first unveiled in the book “The Skin Type Solution”, published in 2005, and it’s since taken the world of beauty by storm.
Rather than rely on the traditional skin types we’re all familiar with (think dry, normal, or oily skin), the Baumann system is based around skin characteristics. According to Leslie Baumann, each person can be placed on either side of these four parameters, resulting in a unique skin type:
- Oily (O) versus Dry (D)
- Sensitive (S) versus Resistant (R)
- Pigmented (P) versus Nonpigmented (N)
- Wrinkled (W) versus Tight or Unwrinkled (T)
What are the 16 Baumann skin types?
In the table below, you will be able to find the 16 Baumann skin types, divided by the two characteristics that are often easier to identify: Oily (O) versus Dry (D) skin, and Sensitive (S) versus Resistant (R) skin:
| Dry | Oily | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitive | DSNT DSNW DSPT DSPW |
OSNT OSNW OSPT → you are here OSPW |
| Resistant | DRNT DRNW DRPT DRPW |
ORNT ORNW ORPT ORPW |
The OSPT skin type: How to identify it
The OSPT skin type is oily, sensitive, pigmented, and tight (unwrinkled). Here’s what that means for you:
Oily
The main difference between oily and dry skin is the amount of sebum produced by the skin, which, in turn, can affect the skin’s moisture balance. Oily skin is the least problematic of the two, according to the Baumann system, but it’s still not without issue. The major complaints associated with oily skin include excess shine, dilated pores and, occasionally, the development of acne.
Sensitive
There are four unique subtypes of sensitive skin in the Baumann system: acne, rosacea, stinging, and allergic. The four subtypes can be useful when building pathology-centric skincare routines (especially for the acne and rosacea subtypes), but you don’t have to go that deep if you don’t want to.
The important thing to keep in mind is that inflammation is the common trait among the four subtypes of sensitive skin. Because of this, sensitive skin will typically require more complex care to tackle the source of inflammation without triggering further reactions.
Pigmented
“Pigmented” skin types have a tendency to develop uneven and unwanted pigmentation, such as dark spots and patches, melasma, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Hyperpigmentation is an incredibly common skin concern, but it’s also very challenging to get around. If you struggle with dark spots and want to correct them, you should make them your topmost priority when building your skincare routine.
Tight
“Tight” skin doesn’t have any visible signs of aging–yet. If you have a “tight” skin type, you have two possible options when building your skincare routine: you can keep things simple and make sure your skin stays healthy and hydrated, or you can turn it up a notch and focus on preventing the first signs of aging. The choice is yours, and it’ll depend on a lot of factors: your age, your lifestyle, the environmental aggressions you’re exposed to, and so much more.
How to care for OSPT skin
If your skin type is OSPT, you have oily, sensitive, pigmented, and tight skin. The OSPT skin type may not struggle with signs of aging, but it’s got a few other concerns: excess sebum, large pores, sensitivity, and dark spots. These are all common concerns you can address with a comprehensive skincare routine; try combining gentle exfoliation, a brightening effect, and lightweight hydration. Here’s what we recommend:
- An effective cleanser, suitable for oily skin, that won’t trigger your skin sensitivity;
- An exfoliating toner to help refine the skin texture and fade dark spots;
- A brightening serum. Use it once or twice a day, depending on the specific formula;
- A very high protection sunscreen–definitely the most important product for anyone struggling with dark spots.
Discover your OSPT skincare routine now:
To help you out, we’ve put together two OSPT skincare routines you can try. One is fully vegan, the other is not, but they are both equally effective:
The Baumann Skin Typing System may seem a little complicated at first, but it’s a simple, intuitive way to classify skin types based on 4 characteristics that everyone can understand. If you are a OSPT skin type, you know your skin is oily, sensitive, pigmented, and tight; following the routines above, you will be able to care for your skin according to its specific needs. Still need a little help? Then don’t hesitate to contact our beauty experts; we’ll be glad to help!
