Combination skin is commonly characterized by a mix of oily and dry areas on the face, where oily areas are usually in the T-zone (chin, nose, forehead) and dry patches appearing around the cheeks or chin. Skin care for combination skin is, therefore, a matter of being able to balance oil and dryness effectively to maintain harmony on your face. As well as achieving balance between skin conditions, it is also important to treat one problem area on the face without harming another. Products for combination skin are formulated with natural soothing qualities that can perform double-duty on your skin.

What are the causes and common characteristics of combination skin?

Common characteristics of combination skin are oily, shiny areas around the T-zone and dry patches on cheeks and sometimes the chin. Although these symptoms are subject to a specific individual, most women with combination skin type have a mixture of skin conditions. Many factors such as hormones, weather changes, lipid production and age are known to cause imbalances within the skin. Lipids (the oil in skin cells) also play a role in causing combination skin type - overproduction or a loss of lipids on some areas of the face can cause oiliness and dryness. Balancing oil and moisture on the face are the main challenges for individuals with combination skin conditions.  

What is the best natural skin care treatment for combination skin?

People with combination skin often have trouble finding a skin care plan that is right for them due to their unique skin needs. There are many products for combination skin that are formulated to work on both the dry and oily areas of the face. They work to soak up excess oil in the T-zone, but also provide moisturizing components for rougher, drier patches on the skin. Skin care for combination skin is also gentle on the skin to accommodate sensitive skin types as well.  

Cleansing: It is important for people with a combination skin type to seek a cleanser that does not dehydrate or over saturate the skin. A foaming cleanser that has the perfect balance of nutrients, hydration and acne fighting power (to reduce oil) is what will help keep combination skin under control. A natural cleanser should never leave your skin feeling tight, irritated or too dry and should always remove all dirt, makeup and other pollutants that can cause further damage to your combination skin.

Toning: A toner for combination skin can be helpful in normalizing the skin and prepping it for further care. This step is key because a toner can aid in moisture retention in dry skin and oil depletion in others. A toner specifically made to balance the skin contains many natural ingredients that restore, refresh and normalize you skin. A natural toner can help in increasing the effectiveness of other natural skin care and erase and correct signs of irritating combination skin type.     

Moisturizing: Skin care for combination skin is all about balance and when it comes to moisturizing, it is one of the most essential parts in a combination skin care routine. It is crucial to moisturize all parts of the face, even the oily sections, so that your skin does not overproduce oil to compensate for being too dry. It is recommended to use a heavier night cream on areas that are dry and a lighter day cream on areas that are oilier. Although there are many combination skin moisturizers that can provide exceptionally high percentages of restorative and balancing properties, using a moisturizer that is fitted to your personal skin conditions is important. 

Using a exfoliant can be very beneficial for a combination skin type. Exfoliators help slough away dead skin cells that can appear on the chin or cheeks. If left unattended, these dead skin cells can clog pores in the oilier areas. Using a mask for combination skin is similar to using a moisturizer. Using a moisturizing mask on dry areas and acne/oily ridding mask on blemish prone areas can help you achieve a more balanced skin tone and texture. Products for combination skin are designed to correct skin's immunity and harmony to help you gain a youthful, younger looking complexion.