If some areas of your skin are oily and other areas are dry then you might have combination skin. Trying to care for two different skin types can be a challenge as you find that some products are effective in hydrating certain areas of your skin but will leave other areas looking rather oily.
It is absolutely worth taking the time to know your skin type. We want to work with your skin – not against it.
Now you may be wondering what combination skin looks like. Combination skin is believed to be the most popular skin type. Typically, those with combination skin will have oily areas of skin and a particularly oily T-zone. Their cheeks, temples, and eyes will be dry and rather flaky and may even appear a little dull.
Your T-zone tends to be the oiliest because the sebaceous glands in this area of your skin are more active than the rest and as a result, your face will look quite oily and greasy.
The condition of combination skin can differ between the seasons. During the winter months, you will likely find that your skin is quite dry and during the summer months you will find that it is greasier than normal. In the springtime, your T-zone will be oily and your cheeks will be dry.
There are certain characteristics of combination skin and certain factors that will influence the appearance of your skin. You will often find that the pores in the oily areas of your skin are large. This is due to the production of excess sebum which can block your pores and this will ultimately make them look larger.
One of the most prominent characteristics of combination skin is shininess, especially in the T-zone and this is because of the amount of oil that is produced by your skin. Along with patches of dryness, you may also experience breakouts of acne.
Shortly after washing your face, you may notice that some areas of your skin are oily but others are not and moisturizers that are intended for normal skin, are likely to hydrate your cheeks, but increase the oiliness in your T-zone.
Perhaps one of the most peculiar signs of combination skin is dandruff. This isn’t experienced by everyone, however, some individuals with combination skin will often have flaky skin on their scalp.
The majority of people tend to inherit their skin type from their parents. If one or multiple members of your family have combination skin, it is more than likely that you are going to have combination skin too.
The products that you use will also influence your skin type. If you use products that contain harsh ingredients, they are likely to aggravate your skin and can break down your skin barrier creating dry patches whilst increasing the oiliness in other areas of your face. Using the incorrect products for your skin can alter your skin type.
For this reason, it is important to ensure that you follow a skincare regimen that uses products that are specific to your skin type. In doing so, you will witness improved results.
Our skin can also be affected by hormones. Certain hormones or too many hormones can increase the amount of oil that our skin produces. As you age, your skin is likely to become drier as the amount of oil that it produces will slow down.
As touched upon previously, your skin can also be affected by the temperature and the season. When it is warm, your skin will naturally produce more oil and as you sweat your face will start to look shinier.
If you have concluded that you have combination skin, you may now be questioning what type of products you should use to correctly care for it.
Generally, it is recommended that you avoid using anything that is excessively fragranced, because fragrances can aggravate your skin, possibly triggering an adverse reaction and worsening the appearance of breakouts. Aside from this, we would also suggest that you avoid using any type of product that is likely to clog your pores.
In regards to makeup, try to use non-comedogenic products as they will provide you with the desired coverage, without looking too heavy on your skin.
When cleaning your face, you should begin by using a gentle cleanser. Throughout the day, our skin produces oil and also comes into contact with dirt and dust particles, etc, cleansing your face will help to remove this build-up. Try to use a cleanser that contains salicylic acid as it is less likely to clog up your pores.
It is also important to exfoliate your skin. Choosing the best product can be challenging seeing as you are catering to two different skin types and because of this, you may find it easier to use an exfoliating product that is suitable for all types of skin.
Though it should be gentle and non-abrasive, it should also be effective in unclogging your pores and reducing the amount of oil that your skin produces.
Moisturizing is a key part of skincare. You may choose to use two different products to cater to different sections of your face. A lotion is likely to work best on your T-zone, whilst a heavier moisturizer can be used on the other areas of your face.
There are also moisturizers available that are suitable for combination skin. If you are looking for a quick way to ease the shiny appearance, you will likely benefit from the use of blotting paper.
When required, simply take a sheet of paper and pat it onto the oily sections of your face. The paper will absorb the oil and will help to improve the appearance of your skin. A great thing about blotting paper is that it is small, and can conveniently be carried inside your bag.
The easiest way of identifying whether you have oily skin is to evaluate whether some sections of your skin are dry whilst others are oily. Caring for combination skin can be a bit of a struggle, however, there are many products available that will help to make this task easier.
