Combination skin can feel like an endless balancing act but it doesn’t need to. With the right approach, such as nailing down a skincare routine, you can get oily areas under control and dry areas hydrated, once and for all. Read on for our 101 guide on how to care for combination skin.
If you think your skin might be dry or oily, we’ve got guides for those too.
What is combination skin?
Combination skin is when you have a mixture of dry and oily areas. Consequently, skin can appear uneven in texture and colour.
Skin is affected by sebum, which is produced by the sebaceous glands in the hair follicle to protect and moisturise the skin. Too little sebum can cause dry skin characterised by redness, flaking, and a feeling of tightness. Too much, however, can cause excess oil on the surface of the skin with shininess and enlarged pores. Combination skin is when sebum production is uneven across your skin hence the mixture of dry and oily patches.
An example of combination skin can include having an oily T-zone (nose and forehead) with normal or dry cheeks. As it can be tricky to find products that work well for both those dry patches and oily areas, combination skin can also be acne-prone skin.
So what causes combination skin?
Combination skin can be caused by a range of factors, from the products you use to your diet and even your genetics. Harsh winter weather, heat or sun can also play a part by zapping the skin of moisture, so it’s a good idea to keep your skin protected with a minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen.
It’s also important to remember that dry skin is more sensitive than other skin types, so if you have dry areas it’s vital to give them a little extra TLC. Using the wrong products can create a cycle of dry skin which can result in a cracked upper layer that is more prone to infection.
How to wash combination skin
- Don’t use harsh face soaps and scrubs as these make dry patches more dehydrated while stimulating further oil production in oily areas.
- Do wash your face with gentle products such as this Simple Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Gel Wash. Formulated for sensitive skin, it’s free from artificial perfume and colour, with no soap, alcohol or harsh chemicals and unlikely to aggravate your skin. This sensitive face wash from Nivea is also a great choice.
- Do use micellar water such as this one from Garnier which is great for removing dirt and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
- Do use products with salicylic acid which helps to slough away dead skin cells and clear pores, cleansing the skin. This Botanical Lab Indian Clay + Salicylic Acid Non-Foaming Cleanser is great for removing excess oil, dirt and makeup.
- Do use products with tea tree oil. Soothing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, it’s a great choice for combination skin types. With a fresh, herby scent, Tisserand Tea Tree Organic Pure Essential Oil makes a wonderful addition to your skincare regime.
How to moisturise combination skin
- Do use a light moisturiser such as NIVEA Face Cream Light Moisturiser Normal & Combination Skin SPF15. It’s moisturising without being greasy, meaning it’s suitable for both dry and oily areas.
- Do use a richer moisturiser on drier patches, such as Weleda Natural Skin Food. Made from 100% certified natural ingredients including lanolin, it’s a deeply nourishing formula that keeps skin soft.
- Do use natural oils such as sunflower seed oil, argan oil or jojoba oil at night. These can help balance oil production while keeping dry areas hydrated. This organic Argan oil from Neal’s Yard locks in moisture to help protect your skin against environmental factors such as the weather.
- Do use a hyaluronic acid, which is moisturising without being oily, such as Evolve Organic Hyaluronic Serum. Hyaluronic acid works by retaining moisture in the upper layers of the skin, so it’s best to apply this to damp skin just after cleansing.
How to treat cobination skin fron the inside out
Skin is the biggest organ in the human body so when it comes to taking good care of it, what you eat definitely plays a big role.
| DO | DON’T |
| Do choose meals combining lean meat, fish, vegetables and fruit with whole-grain carbohydrates to get your skin glowing (for all the right reasons). | Don’t eat greasy foods that are high in saturated fat such as crisps, chips and sausages as it can contribute to clogged pores. |
| Do drink lots of water to keep your body and your skin hydrated. | Don’t drink fizzy drinks and sweetened juice drinks as these can lead to inflammatory issues with the skin. |
| Do choose dried fruit such as medjool dates as they offer a fantastic sweet hit that is also rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. Stuff with almond butter for a luxurious treat that’s also good for your skin. | Don’t eat food containing refined sugar (or reduce the amount you consume), as excess sebum can be increased by the insulin your body creates from sugar. |
Combination skin can certainly feel like a balancing act, but with our range of must-have skincare products it’s simple to keep dry patches happy as well as oily areas under control. By finding a skincare regime that suits you, as well as choosing to eat foods that nourish your skin from the inside out, you can come to love your skin in no time.
Try some of our favourites…
Head over to our Health & Beauty aisle to explore our fantastic range of products.