How To Care For Your Combination Skin

Dry around your mouth? Oily on your T-zone? If you’ve noticed that some parts of your skin are dry and others are oily, then you have combination skin.

Having combination skin can be a pain to look after, and it’s tricky to understand how to properly care for it. That’s because different parts of your skin have different needs.

But don’t worry, unlocking this skincare mystery is easier than you think, and we’re here to spill the beans on how to take care of your combination skin.

But first, let’s answer the question – ‘what is combination skin?’

What Is Combination Skin?

Before you rush out to purchase products to help you look after your combination skin, you should first understand exactly what it is.

As mentioned, you’ll know you have combination skin if some areas of your face are dry, while others are oily. More specifically, you may notice that your T-zone is oily, which is the central area of your face. The T-zone includes your forehead, nose, and chin and the area is usually wetter than the rest of your face because your skin’s oil-creating glands are more concentrated in those parts.

Combination skin often features a dull and rough nose too, due to a build-up of dead skin cells. Maybe there’s some unwanted flaking too – yuck!

Your cheeks and delicate skin around your eyes may be drier than your T-zone too.

If there’s a mixture of dry patches and breakouts simultaneously, don’t panic, as this is common too.

It’s important to understand your combination skin because if you’re using the wrong products on your skin you may be contributing to your mismatched façade. If you have combination skin but you’re using the right products, you may still have some areas of shiny skin. But you can avoid the dry and rough skin that sits underneath excess oil.

You’ll soon realize that when you use suitable products on your oily skin, the condition of your skin will improve quickly.

Right, ready to learn how to look after your combination skin? Keep reading.

Use a Gentle Facial Cleanser

When it comes to cleaning your skin, using a gentle facial cleanser is key for combination skin.

Pick a cleanser that helps to mattify your oily spots without over-drying your skin and leaving you with flaky cheeks.

The cleanser can be any consistency, whether that’s a lotion, water, or gel textured formula. Whatever you choose, the goal is for it to remove stubborn impurities, makeup, and debris while leaving skin feeling refreshed and clean. Micellar water is perfect for combination skin. We adore Dermaceutic Oxybiome Cleansing Micellar Water. This daily cleansing oxybiome effectively removes make-up and purifies the skin and supports the skin’s natural microbiota.

If you’re used to a more thorough cleanse, consider using a soft-bristled brush. However, remember that softness is key. Anything harsher will aggravate your combination skin from the feeling of tightness it can cause.

Apply Moisturizer

If you’ve got oily skin, you can skip the moisturizer, right? Wrong.

Every skin type requires moisturizer, including combination, so never miss this step.

Of course, there are tons of different types of moisturizers available on the market, so it can be tricky picking one suitable for combination skin. We suggest opting for an oil-free product, to avoid any extra slick and shine to your already greasy T-zone area.

Look for options that are jam-packed with skin-loving ingredients such as antioxidants. Skin-replenishing and restoring ingredients help calm irritated skin, leaving it nourished, smooth, and healthy.

Exfoliate

A build-up of dead skin cells can make your skin look dull and dreary, so exfoliating once or twice a week is a must.

As your skin is combinational, be sure not to over-exfoliate or you may irritate it further. It may take some trial and error to understand exactly how much exfoliation your complexion can handle, so don’t freak out if you overdo it at first. Grab an exfoliator that works for all skin types if you have combination skin. PCA Skin’s Daily Exfoliant lightly polishes away dead skin cells, resulting in glowing and younger-looking skin. Say goodbye to stubborn dirt, debris, and impurities with regular exfoliating.

Blot Away Oil

Is your T-zone super shiny? Then it may be time to reach for the blotting papers.

Compact and easy enough to slide into your purse, blotting papers are a quick and efficient way to mop up excess grease in the middle of the day.

Whether you’re at the office, on a date, or elsewhere, they’re the perfect way to temporarily absorb oil without mucking up your perfectly applied makeup.

Treat Yourself to a Face Mask

Treating yourself to a soothing face mask is a great way to look after combination skin. Plus, it feels amazing to pamper yourself occasionally, right?

If you have the time, we recommend multi-masking. Never heard of the term?

As you may guess, multi-masking involves using different face masks for different parts of your face, depending on the issues present. It’s the ideal technique for combination skin, but it can get a bit time-consuming and messy, so make sure you put an evening aside for it. Not sure how to choose a face mask? Don’t worry, here’s our advice on choosing the best facial mask for your skin.