If you have combination skin, you'll know full well it can be the utter bane of your life. Do you apply a blemish-fighting cleanser or will it aggravate those dry patches of skin further? Do you try and moisturise these drier areas or will this add to the amount of oil our pores are already producing?
It's a mystery to many of us and frustratingly difficult to treat.
What Is Combination Skin?
Combination skin is when you have two or more different skin types occurring on your face at the same time. One part may be dry, while your T-zone may be producing excess oil meaning you have to try and treat a number of different problems at once.
While this may all seem a little confusing, think of it like a jigsaw. It's all about slotting the right products into the right places in order to get the perfect balance and tackle all of your skin's needs. So, essentially, this means gel formulas down your T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) to deal with excess oil, then creams and lotions on your parched cheeks to pump them with the hydration they're crying out for.
Six Products That'll Help With Combination Skin
There are obviously a huge amount of skincare products on the market that can aid with tackling combination skin. But we believe these six skincare products are the most effective.
- Cleanser
- Serum
- Mattifier
- Face Mist
- Pore Minimiser
- Face Mask
The Cleanser
When it comes to cleansing combination skin, go for something that's really gentle. This is not to irritate the dry parts of your face, while still emptying your pores of dirt. If possible, also look for one that includes ingredients that reduce oil production. This may seem like a lot to ask for from one product, but Bioderma's White Objective H2O Micelle Solution ticks all of the above boxes. It purifies your skin and regulates sebum (oil) production without drying it out. The secret to keeping every single inch of combination skin happy and healthy.
The Serum
For the dryer areas of your complexion (probably your cheeks), you need to opt for something super hydrating to quench and care for your skin. La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum is a gel formula made up of high-performing hydrating ingredients including hyaluronic acid that melts into the skin, delivering long-lasting moisture and rescuing your cheeks from dryness.
The Mattifier
To control the shine on your T-zone, a mattifying treatment will have your back. Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier SPF45 PA reduces the appearance of shine and helps to prevent the re-appearance of oiliness for up to 10 hours. How? Specially formulated for oily skin types, avocado and African yellow wood bark hydrate the skin to help re-balance oiliness and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
The Face Mist
Some face mists can set oil production into overdrive in order to try and combat the dry parts of your face - which will just complicate things further. But MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Mattifying Mist is a weightless, ultra-refreshing formula that works to eliminate unwanted shine and oil. This soothing mist combines oil-absorbing powders and agents to help extend the wear of makeup, whilst promoting a rebalanced and refined appearance with minimised pores.
The Pore Minimiser
You'll probably be pretty familiar with your pores by now if you have combination skin. When our skin produces excess sebum our pores become heavier and in turn, end up clogged. This leads to a multitude of problems, including dead skin cells building up and almost 'stretching' the size of your pores, making them appear bigger until they're emptied. So if you're noticing that your oily skin is having an effect on your pores, reach for a pore minimiser like Perricone MD Intensive Pore Minimizing Toner. This toner works to slow down the amount of oil your skin is producing, which will in time reduce the appearance of dilated pores.
The Mask
As oil leads to dead skin cells building up in our pores, a weekly face mask that draws everything out will work wonders for your skin. GLAMGLOW Supermud Mask is an advanced clearing treatment that works to combat common skin concerns, including blemishes, breakouts and uneven texture. It'll also pull out impurities (thanks to the charcoal!), hydrate your skin and rebalance oil levels.
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