Skin that can’t make up its mind

Caring for combination skin

Combination skin is a tricky business. We sometimes mistake it for normal skin, but it’s a mistake. It needs a specific level of care that is tailored to its duality. Out of all the skin types, combination might be the trickiest one to care for. Which skin moisturizer should I use? Should I apply products to specific zones on my face?

Somtimes oily, sometimes dry, capricious and prone to sudden changes: this is the reality of combination skin. Under the influence of climate and biological changes, this skin type is complex but can be stabilized by following a few simple tricks.

Two-faced skin type

Believe it or not, combination skin type is the most common. It’s distinguished by a typical combination: the ​​”T” zone (forehead, nose , chin) face is oily, and the temples and cheeks area display symptoms of dry skin.

Symptoms of combination skin

  • Visibly dilated pores in the “T” zone
  • Oily “T” zone
  • Blackheads and blemishes on the forehead, nose and chin
  • Dry skin on cheeks and temples
  • Itching and tightness in dry areas
  • Dull complexion

Combination skin is easily disturbed

The stability of combination skin is easily disturbed: many factors can change its state and make it more dry or more oily. Knowing the main causes of these changes can help prevent or reduce their impact by changing, for example, your skin care routine at home.

Combination skin care

Here are a list of disruptors that can have a negative impact on your combination skin:

  • Climatic conditions such as cold, wind, extreme heat and exposure to sunlight
  • Heredity
  • Stress
  • Pollution and free radicals
  • Hormonal changes
  • Diseases
  • Taking certain medication
  • Ageing skin
  • Inadequate skin care routine

Since part of your skin is dehydrated, the skin loses supplety which leads to sagging. It increases the appearance of wrinkles, dull complexion and the appearance of irregularities of as brown spots.

In terms of combination skin products, try to avoid:

Tinted moisturizer or foundation: they tend to block your pores and do not allow your skin to breathe. They are not a good choice of combination skin care products.

You should choose your cleanser for combination skin carefully. On one hand, it can be harmful if it contains drying or irrtitating products, but it can also aggravate your skin problems if it contains too much fat. Try a facial cleanser to gently wash your face with a pH balanced formula.

Prolonged exposure to the sun or cold. The heat increases the secretion of sebum in the “T” zone while the cold and wind have a drying and irritating effect that will only aggravate the dry combination skin on your face.

Moisturizers that are too rich or fat. Unlike a moisturizer for sensitive skin, a moisturizer for combination skin should not contain too much fat to avoid clogging the pores and reduce the appearance of blackheads or acne<–! lien–>.

To prevent accelerated deterioration of your skin, balance must be preserved by providing maximum hydration and care tailored to its needs:

1. Sufficient water intake
Despite the presence of oily areas, combination skin can be dehydrated<–! lien vers dehydrated skin –>, which amplifies the unpleasant symptoms of dry areas such as the tightness and irritation. To quench your thirsty skin, step one will be drink enough water.

It is recommended to drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day. Drinking small amounts of water through the day is the best way achieve it.

2. A healthy lifestyle
A healthy body has healthy skin. To keep both in great shape, be sure to:

  • Sleep at least 7 hours
  • Eat well
  • Manage you stress
  • Stay active (30 minutes per day if you can)

3. Good skin care routine
To preserve the balance, the care of combination skin should be done by considering both aspects, which should be treated separately according to their needs.

– Using a face wash for combination skin (pH blancing), cleanse your face twice daily
– Antioxidants and vitamin C: super important when it comes to skin care. It slows down the ageing process by repelling UV – – Rays, neutralizing free radicals and stimulating collagen
– Apply sunscreen daily to your face, arms, neck, etc. Remember than UV rays still shine through windows and can be damaging to your skin. Just like you would for an oily skin type, choose a light fluid sunscreen as opposed to a cream.

Makeup tips: a cream blush will brighten your face and help your dry skin, while a mattifying loose powder will control excess sebum on the forehead and chin.

Soothing sensitive skin in dry areas

Use a rich moisturizer to nourish the dry areas of the cheeks and temples. The important thing is to prevent the skin from drying out more, potentially creating irritation or flaking.

Once or twice a week, use a facial scrub to exfoliate and remove impurities and blackheads. Be careful of astringents and choose a toner for combination skin. Better yet, do not apply it to the dry areas of your face to not further irritate the dehydrated skin.

And for areas of oily skin, what to do?

Oily skin care needs to be dealt with. Moisturize those areas with a non-greasy mattifying cream designed to tighten the pores of the “T” zone.