Education

What to know about combination skin

WRITTEN BY TEAM: January 4, 2024

What Is Combination Skin?

The features of combination skin include parts of the face that are both dry and oily in nature. The T-zone, which includes the chin, forehead, and nose, is usually oily, although the cheeks are usually normal or dry. People with combination skin types may experience stiffness or flaking in the dry sections, increased pores, a shiny appearance in the T-zone, and sporadic breakouts in the oily areas. Additionally, changes in lifestyle, environment, and hormones can all have an impact on combination skin. Combination skin can be difficult to care for because it needs products that can balance oil production and alleviate dryness. People might find balance by carefully choosing skincare items that work.

How To Know If You Have Combination Skin

Look for the following signs to see if you have mixed skin:

  • Shiny T-zone: The chin, nose, and forehead can all seem shiny or oily.

  • Increased visibility or size of pores: The pores on the nose and cheeks may be larger.

  • Periodic breakouts: Acne blemishes may be more common in oily areas.
  • Tightness or flakiness: The cheeks and other dry facial regions may feel flaky or constricted.

Characteristics of Combination Skin

Combination skin usually looks oily or shiny in the T-zone and normal or dry in other parts of the face. The excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands is the cause of enlarged pores, blackheads, and sporadic breakouts in the oily areas. On the other hand, the dry patches could feel stifling, flaky, and abrasive.

Combination Skin Texture

The texture of combination skin differs on the face. Due to excessive sebum production, the T-zone frequently feels shiny or oily, but other areas may feel normal or dry. The T-zone is known for having larger pores, and dry patches may feel flaky or tight. Combination skin care calls for balancing products that take care of both dry and oily patches.

Causes of Combination Skin

Combinations of environmental and genetic factors can lead to combination skin. Combination skin can be inherited by certain people and is caused by overactive or highly concentrated sebaceous glands; external variables such as weather, pollution, and UV radiation can also play a role in its development. Stress levels can have an impact on general skin health, and hormonal shifts can influence oil production. Certain makeup or skincare products may sometimes make mixed skin worse by blocking pores in oily areas or further drying out dry areas.

Caring for Combination Skin

Using a mild, non-comedogenic, pH-balanced cleanser like Prequel’s Gleanser glycerin cleanser twice a day can help you manage combination skin and strike a balance between moisturising the dry regions and reducing excess oil in the T-zone without removing natural moisture. Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to help clear clogged pores and get rid of dead skin cells.

Use moisturising masks for dry areas and spot treatments for breakouts for focused effects. To protect your skin from UV damage, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.

Use items like a toner that absorb oil to manage excess oil in the T-zone. Use a moisturising face oil or serum that draws water to the skin to seal in moisture in dry parts of the body. You can keep your mixture skin looking healthy and radiant by doing these things.

What is the Appropriate Skin Care Routine for a Combination Skin Type?

Cleanse: Use a mild, pH-balanced cleanser to start and finish your day. Prequel’s Gleanser glycerin cleanser is an excellent choice because it removes impurities from your skin without making it too dry. Try doing a double cleanse if you wear a lot of makeup or sunscreen. An oil-based cleanser should be used first to get rid of debris, makeup, and sunscreen. Then, use a water-based cleanser to make sure the skin is well cleansed without losing its natural oils, which could make an oily T-zone worse.

Exfoliate: Depending on how well your skin tolerates it, use a chemical exfoliator in your routine 1-2 times a week. For normal to combination skin, use an exfoliator that contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). AHAs with humectant qualities, such glycolic and lactic acid, hydrate dry areas, clear clogged pores, and promote cell turnover for a complexion that is smooth and glowing. Frequent exfoliation helps the skin absorb nourishing and moisturising products more effectively.

Moisturize: When moisturising mixed skin, choose for a solution that is both nourishing and non-greasy. Choose water-based solutions to replenish dehydrated areas and provide the essential hydration. By attracting water to the skin without clogging pores, humectants such as glycerin, urea, panthenol, and hyaluronic acid help maintain the skin’s moisture levels. Select “non-comedogenic” solutions that are based on water, as they are made to prevent clogging pores and aggravating oiliness.

Treat: Specific treatments for dry and oily areas work effectively on combination skin. Employ multi-masking, which involves simultaneously applying masks designed to address various skin issues on various facial locations. Use a clarifying clay mask to balance and detoxify greasy areas. To strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and replenish plumpness, use a hydrating mask containing emollients and humectants such as glycerin, ceramides, and peptides. This is especially beneficial for dry areas and flaky, irritated spots.

In addition, to receive tailored guidance and suggestions on how to take care of your mixture skin, think about seeing a dermatologist.

DISCLAIMER: All articles about skin care are meant to provide information on particular ingredients and skin care subjects. We aim to provide interesting and educational content with our posts. Any allusion to a particular patient’s experience does not constitute a recommendation for medical care. Kindly take note that Prequel products containing mentioned substances are designed exclusively for cosmetic purposes and should not be used in place of medical advice or suggestions for pharmaceutical goods.