Combination skin is considered the toughest skin type to handle because people with combination skin have to deal with two opposite skin types. Skin care regimen for this skin type requires more time and more varieties of skin care products than regimens for dry and oily skin.
Characteristics of Combination Skin
Combination skin occurs when a person has different skin types on his or her face at the same time. Typically, people with combination skin have oily skin on the chin, nose and forehead, an area known as the T-zone, and dry skin on the cheeks. Common problems of this skin type are that the cheek area may feel tight and even become flaky and that the T-zone is prone to acne, blackheads, clogged pores and enlarged pores.
Skin Care Regimen for Combination Skin
Combination skin can be challenge to deal with because oil-controlling products may overdry the cheek area while moisturizing products may cause excessive oiliness in the t-zone area. As a result, people with combination skin usually successfully treat their skin by applying one type of moisturizer to dry areas and another type to oily areas. Some cosmetic and skin care companies offer product lines designed for combination skin. These products help remove excessive oil to prevent clogged pores and breakouts in oily areas, while provide moisture to dry areas to prevent flaking.
Cleanser: Use a gentle cleanser. Look for a cleanser that contains salicylic acid which benefits both oily and dry areas. Salicylic acid helps remove a buildup of oil and dead skin cells from the skin surface and thus prevent blackheads, acne, and enlarged pores. The acid is also effective at treating dry, flaky and scaly skin, as it helps loosen dead, dry skin, allowing a moisturizer to penetrate the skin more effectively.
Toner: Toners help remove all remaining traces of oil, dirt, and makeup after cleansing. It is your decision whether to use a toner or not because a good cleanser should remove all these traces. In case that you want use a toner, choose a non-abrasive one. Apply the toner only over the T-zone and avoid over the dry areas.
Moisturizer: You need two types of moisturizers for different areas. Apply lighter-weight gels, liquids, or oil-absorbing products to your T-zone and lotions or creams to the drier parts of your face. If you have acne, you should use an acne treatment only on the affected areas and avoid the dry areas.
Sunscreen: All skin types need to be protected from sun’s rays. Choose an oil free noncomedogenic sunscreen with at least SPF 15. You do not need to use different sunscreens for different areas if you put the right moisturizer on each area.
