A combination skin is one that has a greasy area, called the T-zone, but the rest of the face is dry or normal. The T-zone comprises of the forehead, the nose and the chin. A combination skin is, typically, oily around the nose and the center of the forehead. However, the cheeks, jaws and the area around the hairline is dry.
Combination skin is the most common skin type, and yet, it is misunderstood, and subsequently, mistreated. The skin care routine for combination skin is very different, since it requires separate treatment for its dry and oily areas. Nonetheless, both the areas need moisturizing.
Suggested read: The MOST perfect skin care routine for oily skin
But before we delve deeper into the skin care for combination skin, let us talk a little about what causes combination skin in people.
Causes of combination skin
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Combination skin is caused by a number of factors, but most of the time, it comes down to what we inherit from our parents or grandparents. So, I hate to say it but, how lucky you are plays a vital role! However, you may be aggravating your combination skin by using the wrong skin care products. By using these products, and following some unhealthy skin habits, you are, unknowingly worsening, your skin problem. Now that is something in your control, right?
Using solutions that are extremely harsh and annoying to the skin, can inevitably dry out the already dry areas of your skin, while stimulating the sebaceous glands to produce more oil in areas, especially around the T-zone, that is already greasy.
Sometimes, combination skin is caused entirely by using the wrong beauty products. Using the right products for your combination skin will, almost instantly, improve your skin, by softening and smoothing your dry areas, while reducing the excess oil production that clogs the skin pores.
Products that work for combination skin
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There is no one-size-fits-all solution for combination skin. Determining the best products for your skin type depends on two things:
One, how dry is your dry area, naturally, and
Two, how oily is your T-zone
Depending on these two factors, you will have to pick your product, and then, separately treat the two areas for best results.
For the oily portion, you can use makeup products that absorb oil or give your skin a matte finish. But these will wreak havoc in the dry areas. So, on the dry areas, you will have to use a more soothing moisturizer. However, don’t apply the moisturizer all over the face since the sebaceous glands in your T-zone will become oilier. So trying, eh? Well, that is the reason why you need to keep the treatment separate.
For the T-zone, use a formula that is light weight but potent. An effective gel or thin lotion with a liquid texture, having concentrated quantities of therapeutic ingredients, should work great for the entire face. Once you apply this lotion or gel, all you will need is an emollient booster or serum, which will help you moisturize the dry areas along your jaws, hairline and around the eyes. Knowing when and where to layer your beauty products is the key to balancing combination skin.
But while picking out your products there is one thing you need to pay extra attention to: Only go for mild solutions. Skin-annoying products will worsen your skin situation. When I say skin-annoying, the products could be both natural and synthetic. Usually, you can identify them by their extremely strong fragrance. If you don’t pay heed to this, you may turn your skin type into extreme combination skin, which is explained in the next section.
Managing extreme combination skin
An extreme combination skin is one that has an unusually greasy T-zone, but the rest of the face is exceptionally dry, to the extent of being flaky.
Finding yourself the right skin care products becomes more difficult because that involves finding the right balance between the starkly opposite textures. Layering, in this case, isn’t that helpful. The best way to go about it would be to apply soothing products, rich in moisture, on the dry areas, and blending away the solution from oily areas. Apply products which absorb excess oil on the areas full of active sebaceous glands. Dab only on the T-zone that requires oil-absorption, while massaging gently all over the face.
When it comes to cleansers for combination skin type, select a formula that is labelled for combination skin. For daytime use, you need a moisturizer that has SPF. Also, it should be a really light solution. But before applying this solution, rub on a rich moisturizer or oil on the dry zone first.
Skin care for combination skin
1. Sticking to a consistent skin care routine
For a combination skin, you need to stick to a skin care routine that is consistent. You must commit yourself to using the same products a couple of times a day, for 20 days, at least, to see visible results.
Clean your face twice a day, once in the morning and once before hitting the sack, every day. Exfoliation, however, should be done only once a week. Lastly, use a moisturizer twice, after the cleansing.
Suggested read: The MOST perfect skin care routine for dry skin
2. Treat the two areas differently
Instead of treating your entire face with just a single product, you need to treat the different zones differently, depending on the skin type. For instance, you have a breakout on your forehead, which means only your forehead is oily. In such case, try spot treatment to reduce the excess oil on your forehead. If your skin around your chin area is dry, heavily moisturize that area alone.
3. Use a natural honey cleanser for the dry zone
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To make a natural honey cleanser, all you need is three tablespoons of honey, 4 teaspoons of liquid castile soap and ½ cup of vegetable glycerin. Blend all the elements together in a bowl. Apply the cleanser on your face and your neck area using your fingers. Massage gently for about a minute to loosen debris or dirt, if any, on your skin. Now rinse off the cleanser with warm water. Pat your face dry with a face towel.
You can also go for an oil-based cleanser. All you need is some extra virgin coconut or olive oil. With your fingertips, lightly massage the oil onto your face. Keep the oil for at least a minute, and then remove using a warm washcloth. Do not scrub your face, but only gently wipe off.
4. Make yourself some natural exfoliant
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Exfoliation is key to prevent pores from getting blocked, and the skin from looking dull. A homemade scrub works best on a combination skin type. However, if you have sensitive skin, exfoliate carefully.
If you are not sure whether your skin is sensitive or not, you can try the scrub at the back of your earlobes. If it does not annoy your skin, you can try it on your face.
For your scrub, you need a cup of brown skin, a cup of ground oatmeal, and 5 tablespoons honey. Mix the ingredients, and rub the exfoliant using your fingertips. Scrub gently for 30 minutes, and then rise off with lukewarm water. You can also try mixing your brown sugar with two teaspoons of finely ground coffee beans, and two teaspoons of lemon juice. Again apply the scrub, and exfoliate for 30 seconds, after which, you can wash it off with lukewarm water.
5. Try a natural spot treatment
Baking soda serves for a cheap and effective spot treatment. It reduces skin irritations and inflammations due to pimples. It also reduces future breakouts. Baking soda is also an amazing exfoliator, and helps get rid of dead skin cells that develop on the surface of our skins.
For the treatment, all you need is a few tablespoons of baking soda and a bowl of warm water. Mix the ingredients into a thick paste. Apply the paste on the dry zone of your skin or only on your blemishes. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
If you have an aloe plant at home, you can use it to make yourself a natural spot treatment. Cut off a piece from the plant, and squeeze the aloe juice directly only your blemishes. You can apply the gel on your skin more than 4 times a day.
Suggested read: 12 superb home remedies to get rid of uneven skin tone
6. Try an organic face mask
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To make one for yourself, all you need is a banana, peeled, half a papaya, two carrots, and a cup of honey. Blend the ingredients together. Apply the mix on your face, and leave it on for half an hour. Wash off with lukewarm water.
You can also try making a lemon yogurt mask. All you need is a tablespoon of natural yogurt, half a tablespoon of lemon juice, and two drops of lemon oil. Mix the ingredients well, and apply the mask on your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes, and then, rinse with lukewarm water.
That’s a wrap from us! Was this guide on skin care for combination skin helpful? Sound off in the comments!
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