How To Treat
Combination Skin
What Is Combination Skin?
A halfway house between oily and dry, combination skin may sound like a tricky and unusual fusion of two dermal states but it is, in fact, the most common skin type worldwide. It’s often distinguished by an oily T-zone and a normal to dry cheek area. Those with combination skin often find that they’re faced with two main issues: blemishes in the oily regions and cracking, dullness and/or inflammation in the dry sections. It should be noted that these concerns do vary from person to person, with everyone experiencing these ‘symptoms’ at varying degrees of severity.
What Causes Combination Skin?
Though our skin type is often affected by genetics, there is a possibility that combination skin might be your body trying to tell you that it’s under stress from either your environment or even the products you’re currently using in your routine. Many of us use harsh and/or drying products on our skin to reduce sebum production when our skin’s looking oily or feeling congested, which can make certain areas of our face dry or, because it can put our dermal barrier under duress, trigger the production of yet more sebum.
Although it’s not possible to alter our genetics, many have found that it’s possible to rebalance combination skin with the right products, which we’ll elaborate on below.
Treating This Skin Type
Because this skin type is named after the variables that define it, the best way to treat it is to use a combination approach with regards to skincare products. If you’re looking to treat all segments of your face, oily and dry, use lightweight but hydrating products that focus on feeding and rebalancing the skin rather than targeting a specific area. Using gentle products free from harsh ingredients is key here – even if it isn’t, treat your face as if it’s prone to sensitivity. This way, you won’t have to risk aggravating your dry areas or strip your oilier regions, instead finding a happy median between the two. Especially with this skin type, always find time to moisturize in some shape or form. Whether you choose to do this with a moisturizer, serum or similar product, it’s an essential part in helping your stratum corneum to rebalance itself and not fall victim to either dryness and flaking, or oiliness and breakouts.
Rose Water
Rose water is a superior, natural toner for combination skin as it helps to balance and tone the face while simultaneously hydrating it. Working as a natural astringent, it also aids in decreasing the visibility of pores while purging dirt.
Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang is known for its ability to help balance the production of dermal oils while ensuring that the skin doesn’t dry out. It’s also anti-inflammatory, helping to soothe irritation and encourage the process of regeneration within the epidermis.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is effective at helping to gently purify, tone and moisturize the skin due to it being rich in fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins. Anti-inflammatory in nature, it’s reported to help improve elasticity, texture and durability.
Products To Use:
A Gentle Cleanser
Using a gentle cleanser helps to remove impurities on the skin without depriving it of its natural oils. Try to avoid foaming cleansers, however, and ones that contain alcohol since they can dry the skin out too much.
A Natural Toner
If you’re looking to tone your skin, turn to herbal helpers like orange flower water, rose water or witch hazel. These plant-based alternatives to toners are gently astringent and will help to minimize the visibility of pores, leaving the complexion feeling fresh and smooth but not dehydrated or irritated.
Moisturizer
As we encouraged above, one of the best things you can do for combination skin is to find a way to moisturize it. Try non-comedogenic oils like hazelnut, calendula, hemp, tamanu and meadowfoam seed which will aid in boosting your dermal hydration levels while not clogging pores or triggering breakouts.
Tips For Combination Skin
Avoid Harsh Products
The trick to rebalancing combination skin is to treat it kindly. Try to be conscious of what you put on it – products with alcohol, for example, synthetic fragrances or even certain preservatives can irritate the skin and cause it to become dry in places.
Blot Oil
When you find yourself suffering from a bout of excess shine, try adding blotting paper to your daily routine. Blotting paper can go towards reducing the oil of your T-zone, and therefore combat shine. They’re a must-have staple to have in your backpack or handbag at all times to absorb excess oil while on the move.
Try Multimasking
If you haven’t already tried it, multimasking can be a great way to tackle combination skin. Use a decongesting but soothing mask to cater to the more breakout-prone areas of your face while reserving your more moisturizing mask for anywhere that’s feeling a bit dehydrated. Dermatologists have sung charcoal’s praises for purging the T-zone of grime while heavily endorsing the use of hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate your cheeks. With so many options available, you’re sure to find a favorite ingredient or two that works for your skin.
Exfoliate (With Care)
Whether manually or with a skincare product, a gentle exfoliation session from time to time can do wonders for your entire face, not just the flaky patches. It encourages skin cell turnover and, by removing dead skin cells, can boost brightness and even out dermal texture. Whether you have sensitive skin or not, never get too carried away. Too much exfoliation can disturb and distress the dermal barrier, leading to inflammation and discomfort. Avoid exfoliation products with large grains (i.e. scrubs), since these can actually cause micro-tears. For best results, try products that contain AHAs or BHAs. This way, you not only have control over the percentage of their potency, but you get to choose how much you apply and how frequently. To avoid over-exfoliating your face, keep your session down to once per week unless instructed otherwise (AHA and BHA products can be used more frequently). If in doubt, always consult a dermatologist to ensure you’re not causing unnecessary damage to your skin, especially if it’s already sensitive.
Additional Information
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