If you find that parts of your face are dry while others are oily, you probably have combination skin. While it’s easy enough to determine whether you have combination skin, it’s often much harder to figure out how to take care of it. It’s certainly confusing when different parts of your face have different needs. For example, if your T-zone always feels oily, but your cheeks feel dry, what type of product should you use? You’ll probably be happy to know that caring for your combination skin may be tricky, but it’s far from impossible.
Use A Gentle Cleanser
A gentle cleanser is often the first step in any skincare routine, and for good reason. Your skin collects plenty of dirt, oil, and other impurities throughout the day, so a good cleanser is crucial. For combination skin, look for a cleanser that will mattify your t-zone without over-drying other areas.
Balance It Out With A Toner
Toners seem to have a bad rap, but they can do some of the heavy lifting to keep your skin fresh and glowy. Not only do they sweep away impurities, but they can also help balance your skin’s pH. For combination skin, look for a toner that controls oil without over-drying. We recommend Skin Ceuticals Equalizing Toner. Specifically formulated for combination skin, it’s a nourishing blend of hydroxy acids and calming botanicals that help regulate your skin’s pH while removing excess oil and residue.
Exfoliate, But Don’t Overdo It
Just like a good cleanser, exfoliation is an integral part of a good skincare routine. And while you’ll want to exfoliate regularly, be careful that you don’t overdo it and irritate your skin.
Apply A Moisturizer That’s Formulated For Your Skin Type
When it comes to combination skin, oil-free moisturizers are best. These formulations will add much-needed moisture to your entire face without exacerbating your oily T-zone. Even better, try a mattifying moisturizer like La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Mat Moisturizer. This moisturizer targets oily skin and refines your pores while it hydrates. And, as a little added benefit, it makes a great base layer for your makeup.
Blot Excess Oil
Anyone with oily skin will tell you that blotting is a crucial step that you don’t want to miss. Keep this beauty must-have in your desk, in your purse, or on your person and blot away excess oil throughout the day to keep your makeup looking matte and fresh.
Try Multi-Masking
While multi-masking may seem strange, it’s a wickedly simple way to treat combination skin. Just as it sounds, you’re simply using multiple masks at the same time to treat different areas of your face. For an oily T-zone, apply a mask that’s formulated for oily skin, like Queen Helen’s Mint Julep Mask, in that area only. If your cheeks and the skin around your mouth are dry, then apply a hydrating mask like Glow Recipes’s Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial Mask to address your concerns in those areas as well.
When you think about it, caring for combination skin is really no different than any other skin type. Figuring out the best routine and finding the right combination of products is likely just a series of trial and error. Just remember that you can and should treat your specific concerns in a piecemeal sort of way, too. While you should look for products formulated for combination skin, don't be afraid to mix and match.
