Everything You Need to Know About Combination Skin

Skincare is one of the most important self-care routines one can have. By creating a skincare routine, you’re not only protecting your skin for the present, but also for future you. However, skincare routines will vary depending on what type of skin you have, whether it’s oily, dry, sensitive, or combination. The latter, although extremely common, can be a tricky one to find an effective regimen for since it features both dry and oily areas. Luckily, L’OFFICIEL has you covered with our guide to treating this skin type.

Combination skin is having a mix of dry and oily skin in different areas of your face, such as the T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin). Shiny skin, blackheads, and pores that look larger than normal are all signs that you might have combination skin. Skin type, like almost all physical factors, is genetic. However, the types of products you use can definitely affect the conditions you'd like to treat. Any products that contain harsh, drying ingredients can irritate some areas of your face while causing oil production in other previously oily areas. The best solution to treating combination skin is by using different products on different areas of your face to balance out the dry to oily ratio.

For a cleanser, you may want to try out a gentle, water-soluble formula labeled for combination skin first before trying a harsher formula for the oily areas. For the dry spots, it is optional but may be helpful to use a gentle exfoliating cleanser to slough away dry skin. 

Imperative to any skincare routine is to use the thinnest products before the thickest. Before applying other products, use a hydrating, non-irritating toner to add moisture to dry skin while minimizing oiliness. If you choose to apply any kind of antioxidant, such as vitamin C, which boosts collagen for a youthful glow, use concentrated amounts of the formula in the form of a gel, serum, or liquid. This method of application will be the most effective and cause the least amount of breakouts. If you’re a beginner with formulas, choose a less concentrated product to get your skin acclimated to the active ingredients.

Afterwards, for dry areas, you can use a smoothing cream or additional moisturizer over the dry areas. When choosing skincare products, try to avoid any type of fragranced product, which can cause irritation.

If you use a retinoid cream, which helps the skin exfoliate and produce collagen, be wary of applying it on dry areas—it is likely to irritate those parts and only exacerbate the dryness. If you find the dry areas aren’t improving with just a moisturizer, ingredients like squalane or hyaluronic acid may help restore hydration.

To end your routine, remember to apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater to your entire face and neck daily. For combination skin, it’s always a good idea to choose an oil-free sunscreen so there’s a lesser chance of it causing a breakout.

First of all, be patient. Sometimes it can take up to a few months before your skin is fully used to the new products in your routine. If you’re changing multiple products, you may want to gradually add each new product one at a time so your skin has time to adjust. Additionally, remember to be cautious of weather patterns, especially if you live in a place with drastic season changes. In the summertime, you may not need as much moisturizer with the outdoor humidity as you need in the dry wintertime. Lastly, if you have any type of heightened reaction, including swelling, burning or itching from any product, it may be an allergic reaction, so know when to call it quits.