A lot of people who have combination skin are at a loss at how to take care of it. With some areas of the face being dry and some oily, this type of skin is tricky to treat. Here’s a rundown on the best way to take care of combination skin.
What is Combination Skin and What Causes it?
Combination skin is the result of dry and oily skin types occurring on your face at the same time. What this means typically, is that some areas of the face will be dry and flaky, while others, especially the T-zone (forehead, nose, center part of the face and chin) are oily.
This is caused by several different factors – including genetics, but the causes can be different for everyone. Apart from genetics, different skin-care products you are using can also be a cause of combination skin, especially if you are using products that contain irritants since these stimulate oil production in the T-zone and create redness and dry skin on the areas around that zone.
In addition to this, you may simply be using moisturizers that are too emollient. These can clog up pores and make the skin oilier.
How to Take Care of it?
The first and most important part when it comes to taking care of combination skin is to use products designed for the mix of skin types you have. Often, this will mean using different skin care products for different areas of your face.
• Use gentle cleansers
When taking care of combination skin, you need to pick a good, gentle cleanser. This will prevent dryness and irrigation. Make sure that the cleanser doesn’t have any ingredients that can irritate your skin and stay clear of bar soaps or bar cleansers and only use gel-based cleansers or lotions.
• Use toners
Next, use a toner to repair the skin. Again, look at the ingredient list and if it contains things like alcohol, menthol, citrus oil or fragrance, avoid such products.
• Exfoliate
Exfoliation is also an important part when taking care of any skin type, including combination. Make sure to use products that contain either BHA or AHA (salicylic acid and glycolic acid) to remove dead skin cells and uncover healthy skin beneath.
• Spot-treat
When taking care of combination skin, you will have to spot-treat different areas on your face and different skin types. This means, for example, that you will need to apply moisturizers in lotion form on dry parts of your face, but at the same time avoid applying those moisturizers on the oily areas of your face.
