It is generally considered that there are five main skin types: normal, oily, dry, combination, and sensitive. Combination skin is characterised by varying amounts of sebum production: it tends to be oiler in the T-zone and drier on the cheeks. Because of it, combination skin may be tough to take care of, and many people with this skin type struggle with finding the right products for combination skin.
As we’ve already mentioned above, combination skin is characterised by oily skin on the forehead, nose and chin (the so-called T-zone) and dry or normal skin on the cheeks. The oily skin in the T-zone is caused by the increased production of sebum, whereas dry skin on the cheeks, on the contrary, is caused by a lack of skin oil. Varying amounts of sebum production in different areas of the face may be caused by a number of reasons, including genetics, hormonal changes in the body, poor nutrition, improper skincare, etc.
To make sure that you really have combination skin, you can do a simple test. Wash your face and don’t apply any skincare or makeup products for at least two hours. When the time is up, blot your face with a paper tissue. If there is a T-shaped oily mark on the tissue after that, you most likely have combination skin.
To take good care of combination skin, you need to thoroughly think out your skincare regimen and pick the right products that will provide your skin with the moisture and nutrients it needs, and at the same time prevent imperfections such as greasy shine and breakouts in the T-zone and dryness, redness, itching and flaking on the cheeks.
There are several key rules for taking care of combination skin and choosing suitable skincare products for this skin type. They apply to daily cleansing, toning, moisturising, nourishing, and protecting combination skin. For example, you should always use warm water and gentle cleanser to wash your face. Facial cleansers with harsh surfactants make the skin on the cheeks even drier and simultaneously lead to increased skin oil production in the T-zone. So, say “no” to cleansers with aggressive surfactants and harsh abrasives, and “yes” to products with delicate plant-based surfactants.
For example, Secret Life Detox Therapy Micellar Foaming Water by Bio World (Belarus) is great for taking care of combination skin. The product is free of SLS, SLES, parabens, dyes and synthetic fragrances; its key active ingredients are lactic acid, vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and Agascalm, an innovative patented ingredient derived from Mexican giant hyssop extract. Regular use of this micellar foaming water will make your skin squeaky clean, normalise the production of sebum in the epidermis, make the skin smoother, and boost its firmness and elasticity. In addition, the product has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
When it comes to toning combination skin, you should keep in mind that oily and dry areas on your face have different pH levels; facial toner is specifically designed to balance your skin’s pH. Make sure to pick an alcohol-free product that won’t dry your cheeks and make the sebaceous glands in the T-zone produce even more skin oil.
If you’re looking for a good toner for combination skin, check out Linden & Rose Hip Hydrolate Toner produced by Agor, a popular Ukrainian brand of natural cosmetics. This alcohol-free toner is formulated with herbal distillates obtained from lime blossom and rose hip. In addition to toning the skin, it actively hydrates the skin, provides it with vitamins, and has a refreshing and rejuvenating effect. It also has soothing properties and thus prevents skin itching, flaking and redness on the cheeks.
The next rule of taking care of combination skin applies to moisturising. Regardless of the fact that different areas of your face produce different amounts of skin oil, your skin needs proper hydration. However, its oilier areas need a lighter moisturiser, and its drier areas need a richer one. As a result, it may be hard to find a good moisturiser for your skin type. In this case, some beauty experts recommend that you opt for a hydrating serum rather than cream, since its texture is suitable for all areas of the face.
For instance, WOW Hydrating Serum with Instant Lifting Effect by Agor can be an excellent solution. It is formulated with a blend of natural ingredients that instantly hydrate the skin, as well as produce a smoothing and lifting effect. The product doesn’t contain any unsafe synthetic ingredients. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used daily.
Proper nourishment of combination skin is the key to a healthy and radiant complexion. Unfortunately, when you have this skin type, it is often hard to choose the right nourishing cream, serum or other product for all areas of your face: you need to find the product that ensures adequate nourishment of dry areas and at the same time doesn’t clog pores in the T-zone. The best solution is to choose non-comedogenic nourishing products with a light texture.
For example, you can try natural, cold-pressed grapeseed oil by Cocos. It is one of the most popular cosmetic oils because of its potent antioxidant and regenerative effect. Due to its very light texture, grapeseed oil is suitable for all skin types, including combination skin. It absorbs very quickly, doesn’t leave the skin feeling and looking oily, and doesn’t boost the production of sebum in the T-zone.
Protecting combination skin from UV rays and other environmental stressors is the final stage of your daily skincare regimen, which should never be neglected. In summer, you should protect your skin from the sun and heat, and it winter it needs protection from frost, wind and dry air in heated rooms. When choosing a day cream or other moisturiser for your skin, you must always take into account the season, as well as your skin’s individual peculiarities.
For instance, Aloe Vera Day Face Cream by YAKA (Ukraine) has an SPF 15 and takes good care of the skin throughout the day, protecting it from the sun. The cream is specifically designed for the summer season; it has a very light texture and contains no animal fat, mineral oil, parabens, synthetic dyes and fragrances. This is a non-comedogenic product formulated with avocado oil, wheat germ oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, evening primrose oil, and aloe vera leaf juice and extract.
Taking into account all the above steps, daily care for combination skin may seem tedious, but you get used to it over time, and the excellent condition of your skin is undoubtedly worth the effort. In addition to everyday care, your skin needs periodic gentle exfoliation (once per week is enough), as well as nourishing, moisturising, cleansing, regenerative, and other face masks.
By the way, beauticians recommend that people with combination skin try multi-masking, which means applying different masks to different parts of the face, depending on the specific concerns. For example, you can apply cleansing clay masks to your T-zone in order to cleanse pores, get rid of excess skin oil and prevent breakouts, and moisturising and nourishing masks with oils to your cheeks (U-zone).
You can try using Dr. Sante’s Sebo Zero Cleansing Face Mask for your T-zone and Water Bomb Moisturising Face Mask for your cheeks and cheekbones. These masks are packed with natural ingredients that will take good care of your skin; apply them once or twice a week for several weeks for a visible result.
In our online shop Organic Store, you can find a lot of natural and organic products for combination skin, including, but not limited to, moisturisers, masks, serums, cleansers, and oils. We offer high-quality products made by trustworthy brands, adequate prices, convenient payment methods, and international delivery to most parts of the world.
Products for Combination Skin in Our Store
Mayur Passion Fruit Natural Facial Cleansing Gel for Oily and Combination Skin, 100 ml |