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Combination skin means you have two skin types – an oily T-zone across the forehead, nose and chin, combined with dry cheeks.
Balancing both can be tricky, as you’re constantly on the lookout for products that will treat excessive oil production and dryness, without exacerbating one or the other.
Figuring out your skin type can be difficult, but there are a few ways to establish whether you have combination skin. Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at 55 Harley Street, explains that your pore size will appear average with no obvious dry or flaky patches, but a slightly more oily T-zone on the forehead, nose and chin is common, in comparison to other facial areas.
According to Dr Adil Sheraz, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, it’s the most common skin type. “The amount of oil your skin produces is dependent mostly on genetics, people with this skin type will often find that their skin is oilier in the summer and drier in the winter,” he told The Independent.
He also advises that hormones play a role in the amount of oil your skin produces, with breakouts being common during your menstrual cycle, which is predominantly linked to increased testosterone production.
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Fine-tuning a skincare routine to address your concerns can take time, so before you overhaul your current products, it’s important to identify what ingredients will work to keep excess oil, dryness and breakouts at bay.
As skincare is subjective and what works for one might not work for another, there is no one-size-fits all solution. But in order to help you make the most informed choices for your skin type, we’ve consulted the experts to curate the best routine for combination skin, with essential product recommendations to help treat skin safely and see results.
You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
Cleansing
Regardless of what skin type you have, the first step in any skincare routine is cleansing, which should be done every morning and evening.
Washing your face in the morning removes any sweat and oil you have produced while you slept and for combination skin, Dr Sheraz recommends avoiding alcohol-based cleansers and bar soaps which can be too harsh.
He says: “It is important not to use harsh products or strong acids on the face. It can be tempting, for example, to use a strong salicylic acid-based product to reduce the oil from the T-zone. However, this, unfortunately, will only make the dry portions drier and will often result in the oilier T-zone compensating and overproducing oil to replace what you have stripped off."
In our guide to best cleansers for combination skin, we were most impressed with the La Roche-Posay makeup remover milk (Look Fantastic, £12.50), which while marketed for dry skin, is gentle and hydrating.
It doesn’t leave a noticeable residue that might exacerbate oily areas, and it gives the feeling of properly cleansing the skin to avoid breakouts. It’s a great option for something simple that does what it says on the tin, at a very affordable price.
Dr Mahto recommends double cleansing at night. This means using a rich balm or oil cleanser first to breakdown make-up and dirt, followed by a milk or gel cleanser to thoroughly cleanse the skin.
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“Oil production peaks mid-afternoon and ensuring sunscreen, sebum, dirt, sweat, grime and pollution are thoroughly removed from the skin surface is important,” she explains.
The Clinique take the day off cleansing balm (John Lewis & Partners, £25) is a great all-rounder. It’s fragrance-free (a known skin irritant) and once massaged onto a dry face, melts down all make-up, even the most stubborn of mascaras. Simply remove with a lukewarm flannel before doing your second cleanse.
If you’re budget-conscious, the La Roche-Posay make-up remover milk works just as well as a morning or second cleanse, making it a great option if you want to streamline your skincare and go for one product that can do it all.
Retinols and AHAs
If you're looking to apply any acids, serums or retinols, the best time to do so is after you have cleansed but before you apply moisturiser.
According to Dr Mahto, keeping your routine simple is key: “Combination skin types are usually lucky and can tolerate most skincare ingredients without too many issues. I would always exercise caution with every skin type, however, and recommend that less is more.
"Layering of multiple different products in the morning and evening is rarely necessary and can lead to problems with dryness and irritation if care isn’t taken,” she says.
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“If you’re concerned about skin ageing or improving skin tone or texture, then combination skin can benefit from an AHA or retinol at night,” says Dr Mahto.
Retinol is widely considered to be the gold-standard anti-ageing ingredient. Dermatologist Dr Howard Murad explained to The Independent that it dramatically improves all key signs of ageing, minimising the look of wrinkles and crow’s feet while lifting and firming skin. “But the benefits go beyond anti-ageing: it visibly brightens dark circles, reduces dullness and even helps to fight acne,” he added.
Retinol is available over-the-counter but it’s vital it’s used correctly to minimise irritation. It’s recommended to start with smaller doses once to twice a week and gradually build up tolerance over time. Find out more in our skincare glossary here.
In our guide to the best retinol, we found the Dr Dennis Gross ferulic and retinol wrinkle recovery overnight serum (Cult Beauty, £89) to be a firm favourite. Skin texture and elasticity were visibly improved after just a week’s use, as were sunspots and long-standing forehead lines. Our tester's skin was also softer, smoother and brighter.
It also contains ferulic acid, which penetrates deep into the lower levels of the skin, boosting the effectiveness of the retinol and helping to keep it stable. Ferulic acid has powers of its own, too, protecting against environmental damage and improving dark spots, elasticity and texture.
Alpha hydroxy acids, commonly known as AHAs, are water-soluble exfoliants that break down bonds between dead skin cells and clear out your pores. The result? Brighter, smoother skin.
The glycolic acid-based Pixi glow tonic (Look Fantastic, £18) has a cult following for good reason.
It sloughs off dead skin cells, minimises the appearances of pores and stimulates cell turnover for clearer skin alongside soothing aloe vera. To apply, saturate a cotton wool pad and sweep over skin.
If you are seeking a targeted spot treatment to specifically tackle acne, blemishes and scarring, then we would recommend the Kate Somerville eradikate acne treatment (Cult Beauty, £22)
It contains the highest concentration of sulphur that's legally available in skincare – an ingredient that absorbs excess oil that can clog pores and lead to breakouts – as well as camphor, zinc oxide and salicylic acid. We found it particularly effective in preventing spots brewing under the surface from developing further.
To apply, dip a cotton bud into the silt at the bottom of the bottle (don’t shake) and apply to spots. We’d recommend using this before bed, unless you plan on spending the day inside, as it leaves a pink residue as it dries.
Moisturiser
A common misconception about combination skin is that a moisturiser will worsen the oiliness in your T-zone, but Dr Sheraz stresses that this is not true, and advises that all good skincare regimens should include a moisturiser.
“During the day you may want to use a thin water-based moisturiser or gel form, something that will last the day and not too greasy or thick to clog the pores. At night you can get away with something that is thicker and more luxurious, which will feel greasier on the skin but will provide the hydration you need overnight."
This Dr Jart+ ceramidin cream (Asos, £35.50) topped our reviews of moisturisers for combination skin and works for both morning and evening use, so while not the cheapest, it’s a great all-rounder. The cream contains five ceramides, making the skin feel instantly softer and calmer, but we found it sinks in quickly so it can be used in the morning before make-up – even in place of a primer.
It’s a thick consistency but doesn’t leave any greasy residue or exacerbate oily areas. It feels like it keeps working within the skin, plumping and hydrating from the inside.
It works equally well as a day and night cream and is packaged in a handy squeezy tube – the new version is also plastic rather than metal, making it much easier to squeeze every last drop out.
SPF
It’s a mistake to think a moisturiser is the last step of a skincare routine. Both Dr Mahto and Dr Sheraz advocate for using sunscreen in the morning for all skin types. Not only does it protect you from harmful UVA and UVB rays, it also plays an important role in preventing hyperpigmentation and onset ageing which are increased with prolonged sun exposure.
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For combination skin, Dr Sheraz recommends a gel formulation or one with matte-finish. As SPF is worn during the day, and often under make-up, the lighter the texture, the less greasy the finish, which will result in a less oily T-zone.
Another way to minimise oil production is to use an oil-free formula as it won't add extra shine.
This Heliocare 360 oil-free gel SPF50 (Sknclinics, £30) is a mattifying, non-comedogenic formula that doesn’t leave a greasy film on your skin, nor increase breakouts.
We were also impressed with Clinique's SPF50 mineral sunscreen fluid (Boots, £17.60) for the face, (also available in SPF30), which is also oil-free and gentle enough to use around the eyes.
The liquid left our reviewer's skin soft, while giving that pore blurring effect we all know and love. There is a lack of extra antioxidants in this one so there really are no bells and whistles as such. But it’s a great fragrance-free option if you want a no fuss, effective option for combination skin.
FAQs
What is a good routine for combination skin? ›
Best skin care routine for combination skin with acne
If you're working with combination skin plus frequent breakouts, try the extra steps below. Use a cleanser that contains salicylic acid. Double-cleanse at night if you wear makeup. Use a toner to remove excess oil and help fight blackheads and blemishes.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry
This lightweight face moisturizer is formulated with combination skin fave hyaluronic acid. The water-based gel is light enough for acne-prone skin and ingredients such as glycerin and dimethicone help moisturize the driest skin.
Avoid products with excessive fragrance or other irritants
Any product that includes harsh ingredients like fragrance or alcohol can irritate both dry and oily skin. Dry areas may become drier, while oily parts may produce more oil, potentially leading to breakouts.
If you have oily, combination or acne-prone skin
“Use a chemical exfoliator containing salicylic acid twice or thrice a week to minimise the layer of dead cells on your skin.” Add-in an an alcohol-free toner “containing alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic, lactic acid or tea tree oil” to deep cleanse your pores.
- STEP 1: CLEANSER. ...
- STEP 2: TONER. ...
- STEP 3: ANTIOXIDANT SERUM. ...
- STEP 4: EYE CREAM. ...
- STEP 5: SPOT TREATMENT. ...
- STEP 6: MOISTURIZER. ...
- Step 7: SUNSCREEN.
Face wash for sensitive or combination skin
Look for a face wash that is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, paraben-free and soap free, that won't irritate your skin. “Micellar waters are the best for this skin type,” advises Dr Sharad.
Causes of combination skin
The cause of a combination of skin lies in sebum production. Sebum is a (lightly yellow) substance that is oily and keeps the skin of your face moisturized. Sebum production is a natural thing and is perfectly healthy. But when this production is high, oily skin appears on the horizon.
Combination skin is the most common skin type, says Hale. And it looks different from person to person: you might have an oily T-zone (nose, forehead, and/or chin) but dry skin everywhere else, or you might be dry and sensitive only in certain concentrated spots—say, around the eyes or mouth.
What combination skin looks like? ›Combination skin: Combination skin usually feels oily in the T-zone (the area that includes your forehead, nose, and chin) but dry everywhere else. It can also be oily and dry in different locations, but if you notice two or more different textures on your face, it is a sign that you have combination skin.
Which toner is best for combination skin? ›- BY BEAUTY BAY ACID TRIP 5% GLYCOLIC ACID TONER WITH AHA AND PHA. ...
- MARIO BADESCU GLYCOLIC ACID TONER. ...
- PETER THOMAS ROTH WATER DRENCH® HYALURONIC CLOUD HYDRATING TONER MIST. ...
- GLOW HUB CALM & SOOTHE TONER ESSENCE. ...
- ORIGINS DR. ...
- E.L.F. COSMETICS SUPERTONE TONER. ...
- YES TO CUCUMBERS CALMING TONER.
How can I get glass skin in 3 days? ›
Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of Turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of Lemon Juice and 1 drop of Honey. Step 2: Directly apply this paste on skin and leave it on for 10 minutes. Step 3: Wash off with lukewarm water and layer it with a hydrating moisturizer.
Is Vitamin C good for combination skin? ›Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is a form of vitamin C that may work well for combination skin. It's known for being able to prevent the oxidation that causes blackheads, but it also has hydrating properties.
Can I use 2 serums together? ›Using multiple serums is a great way to customize your skincare routine to your specific needs. For example, if you find your skin is looking dull and dry, you can use a hyaluronic acid serum to hydrate the skin, and a vitamin C serum to brighten the skin (or a serum that contains both ingredients).
Is hyaluronic acid good for combination skin? ›Hyaluronic Acid can quench even the driest of complexions and works equally well for people with oily and combination skin types. Unlike some skincare products, hyaluronic acid gets quickly absorbed into the skin, meaning you lose less product.
Can I mix 2 serums together? ›Yes! It is completely okay to mix two serums together, or even more. However, there are a couple of guidelines to abide by when mixing. Firstly, you need to mix each serum in the palm of your hand before applying to your face.
What is the problem of combination skin? ›Combination skin is characterized by overactive oil glands in the T-zone. As a result, the nose, chin and forehead of combination skin are more prone to clogged pores. When sebum builds inside pores, they must expand to account for the excess oil, giving them an enlarged appearance.
Should I moisturize if I have combination skin? ›"Some people think that you need to "dry out" acne—this is simply not true, and is only because the topicals used for acne treatment can be severely drying on the skin." Having combination skin is even more reason to keep your skin moisturized, so keep the lotions, creams, and oils coming.