Combination Skin: How to Treat Skin That's Both Oily and Dry?

Combination skin is proof that nothing in life is ever black and white. It’s easy to treat dry or oily skin, but how are we supposed to treat skin that’s both oily AND dry?

Finding the right skincare routine for this skin type can be challenging since you need a product that’s hydrating enough to take care of your dry patches but oil-free not to make the greasy parts even greasier.

Combined skin is the most common type of skin, yet treating it can be the trickiest. Use this comprehensive guide on combination skin to figure out what works best for skin like yours.

Table of Contents

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What Is a Combination Skin Type?

People with a combination skin type will have facial skin that’s oily in some parts but dry or normal in others. 

Typically, this skin type is associated with an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) but dry cheeks and jawline. However, some cases of combination skin have an oily T-zone with normal skin everywhere else. 

The T-Zone is always the greasy area in combination skin since there we have the most sebaceous glands.

Characteristics of Combination Skin

It will usually have some or all of the following signs:

  • An oily T-zone
  • Dry or normal cheeks
  • Visibly enlarged T-zone pores
  • T-zone blackheads or whiteheads
  • Skin changes based on the weather
  • Flakiness or dry patches
  • The appearance of dandruff
  • Acne and dryness at the same time

To have this type of skin, you don’t necessarily need to have all of the above characteristics. But generally speaking, if you notice that some parts of your face are drier than others, you have combination skin.

What Causes Combination Skin?

This skin types often change depending on the weather and other external factors. For this reason, we can’t say that anything in particular causes this skin type. It’s rather a mix of the following:

  • Genetics
  • Hot or cold weather
  • A humid or dry climate
  • Hormonal changes
  • Wrong cosmetics products or wrong mix

Best Skincare Ingredients for Combination Skin

Combination skin requires balance most of all – this type requires products that don’t dry or grease the skin too much. We know that alcohol-based products remove oil quickly, but they’re too drying for the rest of your face. On the other hand, products for oily skin could leave you with flaky and dry skin. So, how to find a middle ground? 

The best solution is a clean beauty routine with Halal and cruelty-free natural skin care, face creams products. Here are the ingredients most beneficial to your type of skin:

Snail Mucin

Snail Mucin is a naturally moisturizing ingredient that will deeply repair and regenerate thiy type of skin. These benefits of Snail Mucus come from its composition of Allantoin, Glycolic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, proteins (collagen and elastin), peptides, and antioxidants.

Glycolic Acid

As an AHA with the broadest use in skincare brands, Glycolic Acid can gently exfoliate your dead skin cells and promote skin regeneration. Just be careful not to use a concentrated Glycolic Acid serum more than twice a week – otherwise, it could dry out your skin.

Lactic Acid

Lactic Acid is another amazing AHA designed to moisturize your skin deeply. Due to its hydration properties, Lactic Acid is also a great weapon against aging skin.

Salicylic Acid

Known for its skin purification and exfoliation properties, Salicylic Acid is a type of BHA you can use if you have acne-prone combination skin. As an added plus, this BHA can help you get rid of dark spots and acne scars and give you an even complexion.

Vitamin C

Due to its antioxidative features, Vitamin C is an excellent cosmetic ingredient for combined skin. As an additional plus, it will also speed up the healing of acne scars and brighten up your complexion.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is simply perfect for combination skin! Its primary role is to hydrate and moisturize, and its light texture makes it suitable for all skin types.

Vitamin B5

Also known as Panthenol, Vitamin B5 is another good ingredient for combination skin since it has a soothing and hydrating skin effect.

Ceramides

Ceramides are the lipids that hold our skin together like glue. With the help of ceramides, you can repair your skin’s natural barrier and balance out the moisture throughout your facial skin. In addition, ceramides lock moisture in, so they’re a tremendous hydrating ingredient.

Worst Skincare Ingredients for Combination Skin

When you have combination skin, the wrong face cream ingredients can quickly transition your face into the oily or dry skin categories. To prevent that, avoid both extremes – comedogenic, oil-based products as well as drying alcohols. Here’s what not to use: 

  • Fragrances containing harsh ingredients or phthalates
  • Parabens
  • Alcohols
  • Sulfates
  • Mineral oils
  • Paraffin

Daily Skincare Routine for Combination Skin

Lastly, we’ll share some skin care routine steps for combination skin that will show you in practice how to take care of your face daily:

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Step 1: Regular cleansing

A high-quality natural cleanser for combination skin can do wonders for your complexion! Regularly clean your skin, at least twice a day – once in the morning and once at night before bed.

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Step 2: Moisturizer for combination skin

Use a fragrance-free, clean and organic face cream suitable for all skin types or formulated explicitly for combined skin. Since this skin type can be both dry and oily, always choose a water-based, non-comedogenic makeup. Moisturize a minimum of twice a day – in the morning and evening.

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Step 3: BHA and AHA-based products

Regenerate your skin with skincare brands with Glycolic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, and Salicylic Acid. Just don’t overdo these treatments, or you might dry out your skin too much. Alternatively, use snail mucin skincare products since it’s naturally rich in Collagen, Elastin, Glycolic Acid, antioxidants, and more.

4

Step 4: Non-comedogenic skincare and makeup

Since combination skin typically has an oily T-zone, we recommend that you use water-based instead of oil-based makeup and skincare products. Water-based products are non-comedogenic, and they’ll let your pores breathe, thus preventing acne breakouts.

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Step 5: Use a night serum

Using a night serum for glowing skin is an excellent practice you should introduce daily. The reason why we recommend night serums is because they typically contain more concentrated active ingredients. With this, your combination skin will get a deep regenerative treatment.

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