Knowing your skin type is an important step in choosing the right skincare or skincare routines to properly take care of it. For example, those with a naturally oily complexion should steer clear of the rich, heavy creams that someone with dry skin may need to properly quench their skin. But, what if your skin has different characteristics in different areas? This type is called combination skin. Here’s how people with combination skin types can help their dual identity skin.
What is Combination Skin?
Most commonly, people with combination skin experience oiliness in the “T-zone,” and dryness everywhere else. The T-zone is a T-shaped region of your face that includes the forehead, nose, and sometimes chin. If, throughout the day, this area becomes shiny while your cheeks stay the same or even become dry and flaky, you likely have combination skin.
Another indicator of combination skin is blemishes in the T-zone, while the rest of the face remains relatively acne-free.
What Causes Combination Skin?
In most cases, combination skin is an unavoidable effect of your genetics. Some people are simply born with more oil glands in the T-Zone. Excess oil in this area can contribute to more acne. Add in hormonal fluctuations and environmental factors like the weather or seasons, and you have the perfect environment for acne or other aspects of combination skin. The T-Zone isn’t the only area that needs to be addressed for combination skin types.
Dry areas of the skin can become flaky or sensitive, requiring a different approach. If you have combination skin, it’s important to use the right blend of products in the correct areas. Paying attention to the placement of active ingredients and hydrators where needed can minimize irritation or over-moisturization. People with combination skin may even need to use two sets of products; one for the T-zone and one for everywhere else.
How to Choose Skincare Products for Combination Skin
Choosing skincare products for combination skin can be tricky since you are dealing with both oily and dry areas. The best way to build a routine that balances both may include multiple steps.
First, seek to understand your skin. This may include observing your skin in the morning and late afternoon to see where you are oily and where you are dry. Additionally, be sure to be aware of seasonal changes, as combo skin often becomes oilier in the summer and drier in the winter.
You should also look for gentle formulations to balance the look of skin, and use lightweight moisturizers to hydrate. Targeted treatments for excess oil in the T-zone and hydrating products for dry areas can help to balance the appearance of your skin.
Don’t forget the sun protection! Choosing broad-spectrum sunscreens is important for healthy-looking skin and are known to help against the visible signs of aging.
Best Products for Combination Skin
People with combination skin should use high-quality products that are designed for all skin types and targeted products that are designed for specific concerns in each area. There are many ingredients that are beneficial for both oily and dry skin, like hyaluronic acid. For those battling acne and blemishes in the T-zone, a weekly mask with kaolin clay can help absorb excess oil in that area, while a hydrating mask on the cheeks will help with dry skin.
A skincare specialist can help advise you on professional treatments and home care that suit your specific needs.
At Epicuren Discovery, we believe the best products for combination skin are those that are gentle and contain nourishing ingredients. We recommend the following products for combination skin:
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Brazilian Proplis Mist or AHA Electrolyte Mist
High Quality Combination Skincare
Our carefully formulated and curated collection of combination skincare products includes some of the best products that create a nourished-looking apperance. At Epicuren Discovery, we know it can be confusing and challenging to find skincare products with proven ingredients that actually work for people’s specific skin types, which is why we created our Skin Quiz to match people with the best products for their unique concerns. Check out our other collections of skincare and sun care products to see how we can help you get the best skin of your life.
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Sources
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/understanding-skin-types
