Combination skin tends to be both dry in some places and oily in other places. No wonder this skin type can be tricky! Here’s how to manage your skincare routine for combination skin. In this guide, we bring the ultimate skincare routine for combination skin, plus a few best products for this type of skin.
What is combination skin?
Combination skin is a type of skin where you have areas of both dry and oily skin. This happens because some areas of your face produce too much sebum, and other parts don’t produce enough.
There are many brands out there that offer high-quality products for managing combination skin. One such brand is Sanitas Skincare. The brand offers pure, effective, and non-toxic clean skincare products that are suitable for every skin type. You can save big on Vitamin C serum, moisturizer, cleansers, scrubs, face peels, and more by applying Sanitas Coupon Code.
What are the signs of combination skin?
If you have combination skin, you’ll have:
- An oily T-zone on your nose, chin, and forehead
- Dry skin around the eyes, cheeks, and mouth
- Large pores or excess oil on the T-zone
What causes combination skin?
Genetics is the main reason to blame; however, the environment (i.e., dry winter and summer), as well as hormonal changes, can also affect your skin.
The best skincare routine for combination skin
Dealing with combination skin requires a daily skincare routine designed to build more balanced skin, says board-certified dermatologists. You might also need to change your skincare, depending on the season.
Combination skin is oily in the hot summer and dry in the winter, while in the autumn and spring, people with combination skin get an oily T-zone and dry cheeks,” says Dr. Jeannette Graf, a certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology.
Your morning routine
1. Cleanse. In the morning, it’s crucial to use a cleanser first to remove any buildup that may have occurred overnight.
2. Tone. You can then use a high-quality toner to remove the excess oil your cleanser may have missed. However, this step is optional, depending on your skin’s requirements, and includes gentle exfoliators. Make sure to opt for an alcohol-free toner and do not use it in dry areas.
3. Moisturize. The next important step of the skincare routine for combination skin is moisturization. When you moisturize the dry parts of your skin, choose a creamy moisturizer, while for the oily sections, use a lightweight water-based formula.
4. Sunscreen. All dermatologists will unanimously agree to apply SPF 30 or higher when stepping out.
Your nighttime routine
1. Cleanse. In the evening, you can opt for a gel or foaming cleanser, which removes excess oil that can build up throughout the day. However, it should be formulated with hydrating ingredients to help nourish and hydrate the skin.
2. Exfoliate. Consider exfoliating your skin with a chemical exfoliator about once or twice a week to remove dead cells and clear out impurities.
3. Retinol. You can use serums and treatments according to your unique skin needs. But, skin experts recommend a retinoid to regulate skin cell turnover and prevent pores from getting clogged. Products containing hyaluronic acid can effectively help your skin lock in moisture without making your skin greasy.
4. Moisturize. You can apply a lightweight and creamy moisturizer to manage your dry and oily spots. A richer formula night cream can be used on dry parts of your face overnight.
Best skincare ingredients for combination skin
When selecting skincare for a combination skin type, look for these ingredients:
Hyaluronic acid can hydrate and nourish the skin without grease. You can find this magic ingredient in cleansers, serums, and moisturizers, and it can be used on your entire face.
Lactic acid refers to an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently clears pores in oily sections and exfoliates dry skin without aggravating it. You’ll find it in toners, serums, and other treatments.
Retinol is a type of retinoid made from Vitamin A that aids in skin cell turnover for even skin tone. It’s a go-to treatment for fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, and as a plus point, it can also help eliminate excessive oil.
Vitamin E can clear clogged pores and even skin complexion and reduce fine lines, redness, and flakiness. You’ll find Vitamin E in anti-acne scar products and antioxidant serums.
Vitamin C helps diminish pigmentation, even skin tone, and improve the appearance of fine lines. If you want a boost, try using a vitamin C serum in the daytime between toning and moisturizing. It can make you photosensitive, so always use SPF before applying it! Remember to avoid oil-based moisturizers that can elevate oily skin and toners containing alcohol that make skin drier.
Best products for combination skin
Not sure what products to add to your combination skincare regime? These three picks are dermatologist-approved and medically tested by experts.
Reminder, always do a patch test on your skin before trying any new product!
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel
This oil-free facial wash for combination skin helps gently remove excess oil and grime without over-drying your skin. Also, it is suitable for sensitive skin and maintains the skin’s pH balance. This cleanser is non comedogenic, and it won’t clog pores.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a lightweight water-based formula combining hyaluronic acid molecules and a HA crosspolymer to provide hydration to multiple layers of your skin. It targets the appearance of wrinkles and skin textural irregularities. Plus, it uses pro-vitamin B5 to boost hydration at the outer layers, causing smoother, plumper skin.
Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Just a little bit of this hydrating moisturizer goes a long way. Hyaluronic acid provides lightweight moisture to hydrate dry skin without making it greasy. At the same time, vitamin C helps even skin complexion. Best of all, it’s free from oil, fragrance, and paraben!
Conclusion
Individuals with combination skin have both dry and oily areas of skin. Managing combination skin requires using different products on the oily and dry parts of your face. Sticking to ingredients that are hydrating but won’t leave your face greasy can help you maintain a balance.
If you want to keep things simple in your skincare routine for combination skin, go for a gentle cleanser, products with hyaluronic acid, a moisturizer, and SPF. And don’t forget to exfoliate once a week to ward off dry skin cells.
