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Does it ever feel like your skin has a split personality? It’s dry like the Sahara in some areas, and oily like the Gulf in others! If you’re nodding vehemently, then it’s safe to assume you have combination skin. And since you fall in between the skin-type Venn diagram, fixing it can be slightly tricky – especially when it comes to those godforsaken oily patches around your T-Zone.
As any Zen guru will explain, the key to treating your skin is balance. You need to hydrate those dry patches and soothe the oily ones. Although the dry patches may take up most of your attention, it is vital you also treat the oily parts with the same TLC to avoid acne breakouts and clogged pores.
Here’s how you can fix those pesky oily patches on your skin, without parching the already dry ones. But before we learn more about combination skincare routines, we need to understand what causes such a skin type, what season and causes can trigger it and how to cater to it as a whole. Moreover, if you are unsure of your skin type, we will also delve into the process of identifying your skin type to better take care of it in the long run. After all, you don’t want to invest in a face care routine for combination skin if you don’t have one. So, without further ado, let’s get into the nitty gritty of your skin type, its needs, causes, and thus treatment plans.
What Is Combination Skin
Combination skin is nothing but dry and oily skin mingling with each other on different parts of the face. Although combination skin includes patches of dry and oily skin, it is not unpredictable. Most people with combination skin experience oily or acne-prone skin near their T-zone which is their forehead and nose or their butterfly-zone which includes the forehead, nose, side of upper cheeks and chin, the rest of the face (sideburns, upper lips, lower cheeks, and neck) has dry patches. This happens because the oil glands in these areas are easily triggered and produce more oil and sebum causing them to be greasy than the rest of the face, leaving you with combination skin.
Test To Know Your Skin Type
There is a simple way to know your skin type and that is by observing your bare skin. Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and tap your face dry with a soft towel. Ensure you don’t rub your skin too harshly and let it rest for 20-40 minutes. Once your skin is bare and cleansed within minutes your skin will reveal the skin type. If your skin appears dry, flaky, and pale-ish all over, then you have dry skin. If your skin looks greasy, oily, and glossy then you have oily skin. If your skin only looks shiny around the forehead, nose, and chin and dry everywhere else, then you have combination skin and you will need a skincare routine for combination skin. If your skin feels extremely dry and itchy then you probably have sensitive skin.
Signs Of Combination Skin
Here are a few signs of combination skin, so you can identify your skin type correctly before face products for combination skin.
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Oily T-Zone
If you have an oily T-Zone but dry skin everywhere else, then you may have combination skin. Notice your skin after a fresh cleanse to see what parts look dry and patchy and which parts look shiny and greasy.
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Large Open Pores
People with combination skin tend to have large and open pores that often get clogged with dirt, dust, and other impurities that lead to black and whiteheads.
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Itchy Scalp
People with combination skin have dry scalps that lead to itchiness and irritation. It also causes dandruff and a flaky scalp. This also leads to hair loss and dry patches on the scalp.
Importance Of Skincare Routine For Combination Skin
Skin is the largest organ of our body and after the age of 18, our skin starts to deteriorate and lose its elasticity and barrier that protects it and helps it keep firm, bouncy, and soft. So, if you have a specific skin type such as a combination skin, it is of utmost importance that you have a skincare routine for combination skin that helps you treat the issues of ageing skin.
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Targeted Care
If you use generic products that are not meant for your skin type, not only will they not help you achieve your skin goals, but may also leave you with breakouts, rashes, or patchy skin. When you create and invest in a combination skincare routine you can give your skin the exact care it needs without compromising or complicating routines.
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Reduces Pores & Discolouration
When you have a combination skin type, you tend to see discolouration and pigmentation on spots where you have oily and greasy skin. This also means that you can see paler white spots and patches on drier parts of your skin. The oily zones also have large and open pores that can get clogged. The right skincare products for combination skin can reverse this damage and leave you with healthy glowing skin.
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Maintains Balance & Repairs Skin Barrier
You need products that hydrate the dryness of the skin without being heavy or overbearing. This helps retain moisture, balance your pH levels, and strengthen your skin barrier to avoid breakouts and skin dehydration.
Skin Care Routine For Combination Skin
1. Cleanse Gently
This one tops the combination skincare list! Your cleanser should do two things- remove the dirt and grime on your face, and not strip it of its natural oils (i.e., sebum). Because you have combination skin, the second part is crucial as, contrary to popular belief, a harsh cleanser will not just remove accumulated dirt and oil but will signal your skin to produce more! And this, in turn, will make your T-Zone oily and acne-prone. Add this Cetaphil Cleanser to your daily regime. It is sulfate and soap-free, which will not irritate your skin and maintain the oil balance on your face. Use it twice a day to avoid oil build-up and clogged pores.
2. Choose Your Toner Carefully
Toning your face is like tuning a guitar. You want all the strings to produce a specific sound. Likewise, correctly toning your skin will balance out the hydration levels on your face. A toner like Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner is perfect for your skin type. It has cooling and soothing properties for those oily patches and at the same time is hydrating and cleansing. It restores the pH balance of your face and visibly minimises pores. Boasting easy absorption and a non-sticky formula, this one’s going to be a mainstay in your vanity.
3. Exfoliate And Liberate
Oily patches on your skin are often caused by large, oil-secreting pores. Those patches are limited to your T-Zone, around your nose, your chin and your forehead. Since you don’t want to dry out your skin, but still maintain the sebum content on the rest of your face, invest in an exfoliating product that contains all the good that salicylic and glycolic acids have to offer. The best thing you can do for your skin is to add the COSRX The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel to your skincare arsenal. This multi-tasker is an exfoliating mask that you must use at least once a week. Oh, you thought that was it? It gets better! It has AHAs and BHAs that help gently eliminate imperfections on your skin. Do not skip this step of your combination skincare routine.
4. Moisturisation Station
It goes without saying that moisturising is easily one of the most important steps of your skin care regimen. There's no circumventing it. The key to great skin is having a good moisturiser. Seeing as you have dry and oily patches alike, you need a mattifying facial gel with oil-free hydrating agents like glycerine or hyaluronic acid. All these properties manifest gloriously in The Body Shop’s Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream. It has the goodness of Seaweed, a super-hydrating formula filled with anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Sun Protection Matters
No matter what your skin type is, sun protection is non-negotiable. You need a sunscreen that hydrates your skin but is also lightweight and non-greasy to stop the oily parts of the face from breaking out. This Haldi & Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen from Dr. Sheth's is just the perfect sun protector for combination skin, the hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates, the haldi i.e. turmeric brightens, and the mineral and organic sun filters provide optimum sun protection without making your skin feel greasy or heavy.
6. Feed Yo’ Self
A girl has got to eat! You must feed your skin from the inside out. The challenge lies in feeding your skin just enough good fat to avoid acne breakouts and overtly clogged pores. And you know what that means- ACNE! To have supple, soft skin that's nourished from the inside, eat foods rich in essential fatty acids like salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Also, don't discount the benefits of working out. Hit the gym at least 3-4 times a week and sweat out that grime. Getting your heart rate up will help pump those essential nutrients to your face.
7. Bonus: Do The Dab
The weather plays a great role in determining the sebum content on your face. If it's humid outside, you must be prepared for the sebum deluge that’s about to take over your face. Keep Matra Oil Control Blotting Sheets handy to control that T-Zone terror when you’re on the go. Enriched with Green Tea goodness, make this a handbag staple for all your oily woes. Think of your face as a greasy pizza and the blotting paper the tissue we’ve all invariably used in our lives to soak up the excess oil and butter oozing out of it. See what we mean? Whenever your oily patches act up, simply dab them with the blotting paper and watch it mop up the sebum, leaving you almost mattified.
Effective Tips For Combination Skin
There are a few tips to remember while building a combination skincare routine.
- Select products that suit your skin type
- Never skip sunscreen
- Always carry oil blotting paper to soak up excess oil and sebum
- Don’t sleep with makeup or without moisturising
- Treat your under eyes as they tend to experience more dryness than any other part
- Follow a healthy diet and sleep pattern
- Avoid using harsh exfoliants
Parting Thoughts
If you have combination skin make sure you treat it the right way, an ideal skincare routine for combination skin will include products that cater to the dry and oily parts of your skin without stripping away too much oil or being heavy on the skin. Follow a consistent skincare routine, diet plan, and sleep schedule to maintain healthy glowing skin. If you are still confused about what products will suit people with sensitive or combination skin? Check out: The Right Products for Combination Skin & Sensitive Skin Care.
FAQs
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What are the signs of combination skin?
The signs of a combination skin are an oily T-zone and dry skin everywhere else, large and open pores, and a dry and flaky scalp.
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Do I need moisturiser for combination skin?
Yes, you definitely need a moisturiser for combination skin. The dry parts of your skin need hydration, and the oily parts of the skin will work overtime to produce excess oil and sebum to supplement the moisture loss.
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Recommend cleansers for combination skin.
Here are 5 cleansers for a combination skincare routine.
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Recommend sunscreens for a combination skincare routine.
Here are sunscreens for a combination skincare routine
What makeup can I use with combination skin?
You can use lightweight and oil-free makeup products that are gentle on dry skin and light on oily skin.
