The ideal skincare to treat combination skin
What is combination skin ?
There are 4 skin types: dry, oily, sensitive, normal. And finally there is combination skin, which is a combination of dry and oily skin. First of all you have to find out what type of skin you have : it is important to buy the right cosmetics, the ones that best suit you.
And now let's try to understand what combination skin is and why it differs from other skin types.
This skin type, as we have mentioned, has two, or even more, different skin types on the face. Typically, combination skin is characterized by dry skin on the cheeks, and excess oil and shine on other areas of the face, which is commonly referred to as the T-zone, because it includes the forehead, nose and chin.
What are the causes of combination skin?
Skin type is usually hereditary, so if you have combination skin, someone in your family (parents or grandparents) has the same skin type.
You therefore have multiple sebaceous glands in the T-zone , responsible for creating sebum, the oily substance that keeps the skin soft and supple. In this area the glands are also more active and this can lead to the formation of breakouts and give the skin a shine.
Environmental factors also contribute to combination skin, as well as some aggressive products used (if they contain dry ingredients, they can stimulate the skin to produce more sebum) and one's lifestyle.
First of all, maintain a correct skincare routine and your skin, mixed or not, will benefit from it.
Hormonal influences are also decisive: skin problems can be amplified by hormonal influences that worsen the symptoms of oily and dry skin.
The sebaceous glands have receptors that respond to hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. The more testosterone that is produced, the more oil is produced in the skin.
How to tell if you have combination skin?
Dry patches and oily patches on the face . Wash your face, leave it uncovered and wait an hour. If you notice that your skin looks and feels oily in the T-zone, but is normal or dry on your cheeks and jawline, then you likely have combination skin.
Enlarged pores in the T-zone . You have larger pores on your nose, chin and forehead. Combination skin is characterized by overactive sebaceous glands in the T-zone. This means that the nose, chin and forehead of combination skin are more prone to enlarged pores .
When sebum builds up inside the pores, they have to expand to accommodate the excess sebum.
Acne and pimples . Due to excessive sebum production, combination skin often shows acne breakouts, even if they are occasional and mild, especially during hormonal fluctuations such as monthly periods.
Pimples tend to be concentrated in the T-zone, where the sebaceous glands are most active, while the areas around the cheeks, jawline and hairline will still be dry.
Different skin conditions in different seasons . You have discovered that your skin becomes oilier in the summer and drier in the winter.
Combination skin has this problem: the oil/water ratio fluctuates with the change of seasons.
- During the summer heat and humidity increase the production of sebum, making the T-zone fatter.
- During the winter the opposite happens: exposure to the environment strips moisture from the skin and the T-zone will appear more normal, while dry spots will experience more dryness.
If you identify with this skin type and are concerned about why you have combination skin in the first place, read on to find out why (hint: blame it on your genetics).
Uneven makeup . Have you applied makeup and what happens? In the T-zone it seems to have not caught on the skin, while it is applied normally on the cheeks. In areas with oily skin this is exactly what happens.
What creams for combination skin can you use?
Which creams are suitable for dry skin or oily skin ? This is the doubt that assails you when you have to choose the right cosmetics for your face.
You need to look for face creams for combination skin that offer hydration to already dry areas, without adding shine and oil in others.
So, which face creams can you use for your combination skin?
- For combination skin, oily in some areas and dry in others, you can apply 2 types of moisturizers.
Avoid products that have an excessive fragrance : combination skin has dryness and flakiness in at least one part of the face. Dry skin in that area can be sensitive and therefore more easily irritated by products that contain chemically created fragrances.
- Avoid face creams that clog pores : choose non-comedogenic makeup products, because they are formulated to be gentle on the skin.
- Don't neglect exfoliation : essential for all skin types, but combination skin can benefit a lot from the right exfoliating products. Exfoliation can help open and cleanse clogged pores in oily sections of the face, while allowing moisture to penetrate the skin in dry areas.
- Try 2 Different Moisturizers : How to moisturize dry cheeks without adding to the oily sheen of your T-zone? While every skin type needs hydration, you need to find the right moisturizer for your skin. Use a heavier moisturizer for the dry area of your face and a lighter water-based moisturizer to keep skin supple, without adding extra shine to the T-zone.
How to take care of your skin
- The cleaner . Use gentle cleansers, which easily remove makeup and impurities from your skin, without leaving it dry, tight or oily.
- The tonic . Apply a hydrating, soothing, non-irritating facial toner to skin, formulated with ingredients and antioxidants that simultaneously nourish dry skin and minimize oiliness in the T-zone.
- The exfoliator . Always choose a gentle, non-abrasive exfoliator. A BHA exfoliator helps your skin slough off dead skin cells normally without using an irritating scrub, unclogs pores, reduces oily skin, and at the same time gently smoothes dry, flaky areas, giving your face a healthy glow. .
- The face cream . No skin type can do without a face cream that can moisturize without greasing, without clogging pores, but which at the same time can be effective against wrinkles and with a good moisturizing action. A good face cream for combination skin is the first step in reducing the first signs of skin aging. For combination skin, use a light formula protector, even on the neck.
More advice
Lead a healthy lifestyle . Helps skin stay healthier. So, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and drink enough water every day to stay hydrated. Doing so will help keep your skin's oil-to-water ratio in balance, reduce the chances of exacerbating dry parts of your face and oily T-zone.
Watch out for the cold . Every skin type is affected by changes during the winter months, especially when the temperature drops and the radiators come on in the house. Thus frequent transitions from one extreme temperature to another occur. To offset these effects, you need to rebalance your skin's hydration levels with a light moisturizer.
Find the right skincare . Look for products that soothe dry areas without stimulating sebum production, to maintain the right balance for a long time.
