What is Combination Skin & Do I Have It?

Combination skin is when you have certain areas on your face that are dry and others that are oily.

Usually, the oily part of your face is in what is called the “t-zone” or the area of your forehead, nose and chin.

How can you be certain you have combination skin?

If you have combination skin, the skin on your cheeks and chin might feel tight or dry after washing your face, and after a short time your nose and forehead gets oily. In this “t” zone you are also prone to blackheads and blemishes.

The first step you can take to treat and care for your combination skin is to cleanse. Look for products that are made specifically for combination skin and use it twice a day.
This will help combat the oily skin on the “t-zone” and help keep other parts of the skin healthy. Make sure that you keep your face clean and free of residues at night. This is a good step to take towards caring for combination skin.

The second step is to moisturize. When you have combination skin, some parts of your face might be oily, but other parts are dry and flaky. You cannot ignore dry skin when treating oily skin. The answer is to use moisturizer on the dry skin only. Products made for dry skin will help hydrate the dull and flaky skin. Try to keep the moisturizer off of the oily skin.

The third step is to balance your skin. There are many products that can help normalize your skin. Look for those that have alpha hydroxy acids, or retinol, which is a vitamin A product. Also, use a toner everyday to help keep the skin in balance.

Steer clear of products that contain alcohol because that can irritate dry skin. Use toner at least once a week to combat combination skin.

The fourth step is to control the skin by eating healthy and drinking plenty of water. When you practice a healthy diet, you can take a big step in controlling the quality of your skin. Fatty and greasy foods are not good for any type of complexion. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and try healthier oils. Drinking water will also help by hydrating your skin the natural way.

The fifth step is to use appropriate make up. Make up that contains oil-absorbing properties will help your appearance. Oil-free make up and make up that is labeled as non-comedogenic will help by minimizing the chances to pimples and blackheads. Another important part of skin care is to make sure make up is thoroughly removed each night before bed. Never go to bed with make up on because it can cause skin irritations.

The sixth step is to use a good sunscreen. Look for sunscreens with an SPF of at least 15. Using a daily sunscreen will help ensure that your skin does not become sunburned, which leads to dry skin.

There are several varieties of sunscreen that are made specifically for daily use on the face. In addition, look for moisturizers and make ups that already contain sunscreen for added benefit. Using sunscreen everyday, even in the winter, will help ensure that you have a healthy glow to your skin.