Do you feel your skin is too dry in winter or too oily during summer? Do you experience distress in deciding which product you may or may not use that will suit your skin? Then, you might have a combination skin type that keeps you in the dilemma of choosing what is good for your skin. Here, we have brought the solution for you!
What is Combination Skin?
Combination Skin means the same as the name implies, it is the combination of both dry and oily skin types. This type of skin condition may cause fluctuation in the skin between seasons, as this skin type can be often dry in winter and oily in summer. This combination skin type is characterised by dry and flaking skin on the cheeks, and also the appearance of excessive oil on other areas of the face. This accumulation of oil on different areas of the face causes “T-zone” as it appears on the forehead, nose, and chin. You must have heard people talk about having an oily “T-zone”.
If you have this skin type, then you might have fine lines, wrinkles, shininess and clogged pores. You may also experience large pores or uneven skin tones. This combination of skin types can make it particularly difficult to deal with your skin.
How can you tell if you have combination skin?
The most prominent sign of having a combination skin is if you experience oiliness in a few parts of your face at the same time as you do dryness, then there are high chances you have a combination skin. Multiple times, you may also feel uneven skin breakouts on your forehead, nose or chin while the rest of your face is blemish-free.
What causes combination skin?
It doesn’t matter if your skin is oily, dry, combination or sensitive, one of the reasons for its persistence is genetics. It may come as a surprise to you, but you do inherit your skin type from your ancestors. When your face has a collection of oil in certain areas of your face, it is because there are more sebaceous glands in that region, that’s why we call it a “T-zone”.
Sebaceous glands are responsible for creating sebum, the waxy substance that tries to keep your skin soft and supple. Usually, in people with combination skin types, these glands tend to be more active and produce excess sebum that can lead to shine and contribute to breakout. It is common in children if their parents have dealt with oily T-zone, acne and blackheads.
Sometimes, environmental factors also play a great role in it. Certain products and lifestyle habits can contribute to a combination of skin types. If you apply products with dry ingredients on your skin, then it can trigger your skin to produce excess oil.
To give the best treatment to your combination skin you need to provide external and internal nutrition and care to your skin. To do the same you may want to try different skin regimes such as:
Best cleanser for combination skin
- Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
This is a dermatologist-proven formula of lightweight foam made especially for combination and sensitive skin. Its foaming action can remove oil and residue without over-drying the skin.
- Cera Ve Cream-to-foam Cleanser
This is a wondrous light foam-based cleanser for combination skin that effectively cleans excess oil without tearing the skin. This formula of a CeraVe starts as a cream and turns into foam as you rub it. It creates a hydrating lather that moisturises your skin without leaving it dry or tight.
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Cetaphil Dail Cleanser is the hero of cleansing formula for combination skin as it is a gentle, non-irritating formula that effectively removes excess oil and impurities without stripping the skin. It contains ingredients like glycerine and aloe vera which helps to maintain the skin’s natural moisture.
- The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
The Ordinary’s one and only cleanser is the daily solution for all skin types. It cleanses gently and moisturizes effectively. This cleanser emulsifies from a balm to an oil-like consistency and leaves your skin feeling moisturised.
- SIMPLE Kind to Skin Moisturizing face wash
Simple’s products usually contain very mild agents. It is a perfect formula for a combination skin type that helps you remove impurities from your skin without irritating the skin. The cleanser contains no dyes, perfumes or harsh chemicals. It only contains vitamins E and B5 and a soothing chamomile extract.
Best Face Wash for combination skin
- Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Wash
Neutrogena’s oil-free formula helps you efficiently remove dust, sebum and pollutants from the skin. This face wash is best for acne-prone skin and combination skin type. It gently exfoliates the dirt and soothes your irritated and itchy skin.
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser
If you have a combination skin, then this is your solution for it. This is La Roche-Posay’s creamy formula for gently cleaning your skin of dirt, and sebum and for soothing for skin. It is the best formula that also hydrates your skin and keeps it fresh for a long time.
- Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Face Wash
This cleanser is made for sensitive and combination skin types that not only soothe your skin but also nourish and protect it from outer damage. It effectively cleanses while reducing irritation and minimizing redness.
Best Moisturisers for Combination skin
- Cetaphil Moisturising Crean for face and body
Cetaphil Moisturising cream is the best moisturiser for daily use. It is a fragrance-free formula and replenishes every itchy part of the skin. It contains vitamin E and almond oil.
- Dot & Key 72 HR Hydrating gel + Probiotics 60
This is another best choice for moisturisers for combination skin types, especially during summer. It balances the skin’s microbiome and enhances the skin texture. It is a light-weight formula which quicky absorbs into your skin. It is enriched with rich water and hyaluronic acid.
- mCaffeine Coffee Oil-Free Moisturiser for Face with Hyaluronic Acid
It is the best moisturiser for combination skin teenagers by mCaffeine. It is enriched with Pro-Vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid that help moisturise your skin for 48 hours. It maintains excess oil and keeps your skin hydrated for a longer time.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Water Gel Daily Face Moisturiser
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Water Gel Daily Face Moisturizer is the perfect combination skin moisturizer suggested by several dermatologists. It provides hydration for supple skin. It is a light moisturizer that you must add if you have combination skin. It hydrates up to 24 hours.
- UrbanBotanics—Oil Free Moisturiser for Face
It is the best moisturizer for combination skin as it is a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that keeps your skin hydrated for 12 hours. This oil-free formula quickly absorbs into your skin and gets rid of itchy and dry skin.
Best Toners for Combination Skin
- Cera Ve Hydrating Toner
This hydrating toner for Cera Ve is the solution to your combination of sensitive, normal and dry skin types. Its ingredients quench the skin and support its protective barrier.
- Paula’s Choice Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner
This is one of the best Paula’s Choice toners for normal to oily to combination skin, as it is super lightweight but still effectively balances the skin’s hydration levels. It also contains ingredients that provide antioxidant protection.
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner
This toner is one of the best La Roche-Posay products for acne because it contains a low concentration of chemical exfoliators that gently unclog pores and clear away dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
- Plum Chamomile & White Tea Calming Antioxidant Toner
This is toner from Plum is enriched with ingredients such as chamomile, aloe leaf, vitamin B3, white tea, and Rooibos leaf that helps in nourishing your combination skin type and gives an anti-ageing effect.
- Mamaearth Vitamin C Toner for Face
This is the best restoring toner from Mamaearth is very beneficial in removing impurities and excess oil from the face. It contains aloe vera, cucumber, witch hazel, etc. Vitamin C is an important vitamin for the skin and plays a crucial in maintaining the youthfulness of the skin.
Best Foundation to Suit Combination skin
- Bobbi Brown Skin-long Wear Weightless foundation
Suitable to all skin types this is Bobbi Brown’s 16-hour long-lasting formula. This weightless combination skin foundation treats pigmentation and conceals any redness and pores with a coverage that’s full but doesn’t look cakey or too artificial. This is a skin-loving and non-acnegenic formula which contains glycerin’s richness to moisturise your skin and provide refreshing hydration.
- L’Oreal Paris Infallible 32H Fresh Wear Foundation
This made-to-suit foundation for every skin type foundation by L’Oreal Paris is a high-coverage foundation that will last you for as long as 32 hours with some amazing features. The foundation is non-comedogenic, sweat-proof, and humid-proof.
- e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Foundation by e.l.f. Halo Glow is a pocket-friendly foundation that gives a skin-like finish. It is a light foundation formula which is available in eight different shades each to match your skin tone. Whenever you feel like trying a minimal makeup look, this is the one for you.
- Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation
This serum-based foundation by Clinique works really well with combination skin. Its satin-matte oil-free formula ensures even coverage and makes your skin look flawless, enough that you want to introduce this to your everyday makeup routine. Its dark-spot-fighting formula keeps it in the top choices for the combination skin daily makeup look. It contains ingredients like Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid.
How can you cure your combination skin crisis?
By using the right kind of skin care products, then you can get an easy solution to your dry and oil skin problems. You can apply any of these cleansers, face wash, moisturisers and creams, and makeup that will also nourish your skin.
How can you find the right type of cleanser, toner, or any skin care product for your combination skin?
It is an easy task, first focus on your skin type and its needs. Slowly, with time you will discover the one product for you. For instance, if you are applying cleanser for oily skin in combination skin types, then it won’t be suitable for your skin and it may encourage the oily areas to overproduce sebum. The best cleaner for your combination skin will be the one which is rich in ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, glycerine, Vitamin E and B3. They will help you retain your skin elasticity, reduce any kind of inflammation and itchiness and soothe your skin.
Similarly, it goes for toners and cleaners. If you are looking for toners you must try to find one which contains niacinamide, which helps you reduce fine lines and other ingredients like cucumber extracts, and salicylic acid. So, it goes for all the products you apply to your face and body.
