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SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR COMBINATION SKIN

A smiling couple playfully applying white facial cream to each other's noses and cheeks as they complete their nighttime skincare routine.

A skincare routine for combination skin addresses two very different skin types – oily and normal/dry. While creating a combination skincare routine may seem complex, it’s totally doable – with finesse, balancing products, and techniques like zoning. In this article, we teach you everything about this skin type and share a skincare routine for combination skin filled with top-tier tips and product recs. At the end, we answer related FAQs so you can care for combination skin with confidence.

 

What Is Combination Skin and How to Identify It

Combination skin is both oily and normal/dry all at the same time. In combination skin, oily skin is found in the T-zone whereas normal/dry skin is found on the cheeks. 
Frequent breakouts, shine only in the T-zone, and dry patches just on the cheeks are other signs to look out for if you’re wondering how to know if you have combination skin.

 

Common  Combination Skin Concerns

Combination skin experiences the issues associated with both oily skin (excessive oil, breakouts, and enlarged pores in the T-zone) and dry skin (dry patches, tightness, and flaking on the cheeks).

 

Oily T-Zone vs Dry Cheeks

An oily T-zone and dry cheeks are usually present in combination skin. The T-zone refers to the forehead, nose, and chin area, which forms the shape of a “T.” The “T” has more sebaceous glands than any other part of the face does, but in combination skin, this area overproduces sebum. Combination skin often has dry cheeks because of a lack of moisture in that area. The cheek area also has a higher potential for irritation and sensitivity.

 

To treat both areas in a combination skincare routine, either choose products that work for your entire face or practice zoning, which is tailoring your skincare application for each area.

 

Imbalance, Breakouts, & Sensitivity

Combination skin is simultaneously oily and normal to dry due to an imbalance in sebum production across the face. In combination skin, the T-zone area overproduces sebum and the cheek area does just the opposite.  

 

The wrong products in a skin routine for combination skin can make sebum production even worse. This is especially true with breakouts, which can be triggered by applying skincare for only one skin type to the entire face. Combination skin can break out if the skincare clogs the pores or irritates or dries out the skin. 

 

As a result, it’s important that your combination skincare routine is balanced and non-drying. Fill it with products that make your skin neither too oily nor too dry.

 

Enlarged Pores

Enlarged pores are pores that look significantly bigger than other pores on the face. In combination skin, enlarged pores can occur because of excessive oil production. They are also thought to form when dirt, oil, and dead skin cells settle in pores, causing them to stretch.

 

Although enlarged pores cannot be eliminated completely, they can be made to look smaller with the help of combination skin face care. These products include toner to reduce their appearance, cleanser to wash away and control oil, and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) to clear pores.

 

How to Build a Skincare Routine for Combination Skin

While the best skincare routine for combination skin is subjective, our version is a great starting point. It is easy to follow and strikes a balance between oil control and hydration. We also share skincare recs, which you can use for your entire face or while zoning, a targeted approach that involves applying skin-type-specific products to distinct areas of the face.  

Before we dive into our skincare routine for combination skin, keep in mind the following:

  • Consistency is key. It can take some time before you notice results, especially if you’re working with new products. Be patient and keep going with your routine if your skin is doing well.
  • Use gentle actives. Gentle actives, such as hyaluronic acid (hydration) and niacinamide (oil control), improve skin and are less likely to cause irritation.
  • Avoid harsh ingredients, which can strip the skin. Even using them on your T-zone can backfire as they can trigger oil overproduction. 

 

1. Cleanser

Cleansing washes away pore-clogging, acne-causing gunk, making it an essential step in a skincare routine for combination skin.

 

The best type of cleanser for combination skin is gentle and balancing. Steer clear of cleansers that foam or contain sulfates, which can be harsh on skin. 

 

To apply cleanser, start with a damp face and then apply a small amount of the product to your skin, working it into a lather. Gently massage onto the different areas of your face, avoiding contact with your eyes. After 30 seconds to a minute, rinse.

 

2. Toner

Toners are liquid skincare products used after cleanser. Because they can reduce the appearance of pores, they’re awesome for combination skin. Toners also lower skin pH, refresh skin, remove impurities, and prep skin for other products. Thayers offers a wide range of toners for all skin types.

 

3. Serum

Made with a high concentration of actives, serums are like a nutritious smoothie for your skin. Lightweight, targeted formulas with niacinamide (oil control), hyaluronic acid (hydration), or salicylic acid (occasional acne) are great picks for a combination skincare routine. You can find all three ingredients in Thayers Double Action Acne Serum.

 

4.  Moisturizer

No skincare routine is complete without moisturizer, which softens skin and locks in moisture. As you might expect, moisturizer is a must-have for the dry parts of the face, but even the oily areas in combination skin benefit from moisturizer. A lightweight, oil-free formula can balance combination skin, providing hydration without clogging pores and preventing oil overproduction in the T-zone.

 

5. Sun Protection

Some people avoid sunscreen because they’re afraid it’ll make their skin greasier than it already is. We’re here to clear the air: sunscreen won’t make your skin oilier – if you use the right formula. Reach for a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen, which is less likely to clog your pores or cause oil overproduction. A non-comedogenic sunscreen with a matte finish is an excellent option, especially if you wear makeup during the day.

SPF should be in every skincare routine because every skin type needs sun protection (with a recommended SPF of at least 30). Sunburn prevention and a lower risk of skin cancer are two of the main benefits of daily sunscreen use.

 

Optional Extra: Acne Spot Treatment

Combination skin sometimes deals with acne. If you experience the occasional zit or breakout, it’s wise to have a skin-loving acne spot treatment, ideally with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, in your routine. Spot treatments should be applied sparingly and to breakout-prone areas only. Thayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment contains salicylic acid and reduces blemish size in a single day.

Combination Skin Care Routine FAQs

  • You can balance combination skin by following a consistent skincare routine tailored to your skin type and needs, avoiding harsh actives that can dry out your skin, and using products that can benefit both the dry and oily areas of your face. Additionally, using hydrating products that are lightweight and oil-free can balance combination skin while providing moisture.
  • The key ingredients in a combination skincare routine are often niacinamides, witch hazel, ceramides, and mild exfoliants, such as BHA. Niacinamides and witch hazel control oil production, ceramides prevent moisture loss, and mild exfoliants remove dead skin cells and clean out pores.
  • If you have combination skin, you should wash your face twice a day, in the morning and at night, with a gentle cleanser. Cleansing this often will cut down on oil, dead skin buildup, and impurities on your skin. Avoid washing your face more than twice a day to prevent over-cleansing, which can cause both dryness and oiliness.
  • Hyaluronic acid is good for combination skin because it is lightweight and attracts moisture to the skin’s surface, benefitting both oily and dry zones. It’s also a wonderful ingredient for repairing the skin barrier. Moisturizer should be applied after hyaluronic acid to seal in moisture. Without moisturizer, hyaluronic acid could cause skin to lose, not retain, moisture, especially in dry climates.
  • Combination skin requires hydration twice a day. You can hydrate your skin with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, a humectant, and products like moisturizer, which helps skin retain moisture. It’s a misconception that the oily areas of the face don’t need hydration; sometimes skin becomes oily because it’s dehydrated.
  • Yes, you can use different products on your T-zone versus on your dry areas. This method, known as zoning, involves applying skincare to your face based on zone. Oily areas would receive oil-control ingredients like niacinamide or witch hazel, a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer, and, if relevant, acne treatments. Dry areas would receive moisturizers and hydrating toners and serums.
  • If doing your routine in the morning, you should apply those products as follows: Toner > Serum > Moisturizer > SPF.  If doing your routine in the evening, there’s no need to apply SPF. And if using an acne spot treatment, apply it after toner but before moisturizer.

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