If you don’t quite fall into either an oily or dry skin category, it’s safe to assume you have combination skin. And while it sounds like the odd one out, in actual fact, combination skin is super common.
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If your T-zone is oily but your cheeks are dry or you frequently bounce between excess sebum-induced blackheads and breakout patches which soon become flaky skin, it’s time to tailor your routine to that of a combination type.
What causes combination skin?
Like all skin conditions, pinpointing a cause takes a bit of guesswork. Typically a combination skin type comes down to a combination of genetics, hormones, environmental factors or using overly harsh products.
How to tell if you have combination skin
As common as combination skin may be, identifying it can still prove tricky. One of the easiest methods is to simply stay in tune with the areas of your face that are producing the most oil.
Pay attention after applying a moisturiser or SPF; if you notice shine along your T-zone but the product absorbs into your cheeks, this is a good indicator that you are dry in some areas and oily in others. And therefore, you most likely have combination skin.
Another method to test your skin type is by applying your skin care or makeup as normal and after a few hours, blot your skin with a tissue or piece of paper. If the paper shows an oil transfer over some sections and not others, you have combination skin.
How to care for combination skin
There is no one magic solution when it comes to managing combination skin.
Much like its name, you need a mix of different products to address different concerns. By mapping out your face into different sections, you are able to treat each area appropriately.
Oilier sections require lightweight, oil-absorbing ingredients such as kaolin clay, glycolic and salicylic acid(we recommend the Swisse Manuka Honey Detoxifying Clay Mask, SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight and Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Hydrator Gel)while the drier sections require a focus on deeply hydrating products like ceramides and hyaluronic acid (we recommend Paula’s Choice CLINICAL Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturiser and BOOST LAB 2D Hyaluronic Acid Hydro Boost Serum).
Image credit: @meccabeauty
For acne-prone areas such as along the jawline, a BHA and AHA-rich toner can be brought in to help tackle breakouts, however, be sure not to carry the product across your entire face as it will only exacerbate dry patches.
For products that are required over the entire face such as cleansers and an SPF, go for something non-comedogenic, lightweight and moisturising like the BIODERMA Sensibio Gel Moussant and Natio Daily Defence Face Moisturiser SPF 50+.
Main image credit: @jilliantg
Do you have combination skin? What are your favourite products for managing it?
Thanks BH for the information regarding how to treat Combination Skin I think that I am always feel oily around my nose, forehead and chin but my cheeks and neck can feel really dry at times.
This is me! Oily T-zone and normal to dry U-zone (cheeks and chin). I use the same products all over my face, but have to pack on extra moisturiser or sometimes a light oil just around my U-zone. In terms of make-up, I always have to powder in my T-zone.
I’m generally dry all over. However my chin sometimes fluctuates between really dry and sometimes oily ¯_(ツ)_/¯
I have combination skin but during winter, especially now, it is more on the dry side.
Sure do! I have the double whammy of sensitive + combination skin, which for me is a pain-in-the-you-know-what at times. I use the same cleanser & face mist all over, but only use moisturiser & face oils on the cheeks & neck, avoiding everywhere else. I too only powder my nose & chin whenever I apply makeup as they’re my oiliest areas (especially either side of my nose).
My skin tends to be dry. I use mostly Kiehl’s products, with a few others thrown in, and they keep it in pretty good condition. I’d like to try some Boost Lab products. I’ve seen them on here a lot lately and they sound great.
Mine skin type is: confused. Oily summer, wants to be oily winter, gets confused then goes mixed. Then normal at times. Then tightens (when overdone with actives) etc. I just go with the flow. And do what feels good. Acids though are all the time in my routine on way or another.
The beautician at the Spa informed me that I have combination skin
I’m not sure if my skin is combo or not but it is sensitive and this overrides anything else
I used to have combo skin when I was younger, however, it has dried out as I’ve become older.
After being oily most of my life, my skin is now less oily – closer to normal, with just a little oiliness. I’m not prone to dryness, sensitivity or tightness anywhere.
I have combination skin and use the same products all over my face and neck.
My skin is mostly oily, on the rare occasion it might get dry from the weather
I had no idea that the aha and bha products could exacerbate dryness! Good to know thanks bh. I was using all products all over – except for face masks.
I’m the same. I have an oily face for most of the year and winter might cause some dryness. My legs are dry in winter – really need to get into a habit of using moisturiser often
I’ve gone from sensitive combination skin to sensitive normal/dry skin in my 50s.
Helpful article.
I have a mixture of oily and combination
I have combination skin but more dry I think
I have combination skin but the dry areas are more dehydrated than dry I think. I usually use the same thing over my whole face.
I probably have combination skin but I treat it as if its oily.
Nowadays, my skin is dry, very dry
I have an oily T zone but I don’t have a dry U zone. My chin does get pimply though. So am I combination or oily to normal?
Sometimes I think I have combination skin.
This sounds exactly like my skin, however I have been told I my skin is dehydrated, hence the over-production of oil in my t-zone. I really focus on hydrating products in my skincare routine.
I have had combination skin for yonks. I have never thought of using different products for different areas of my face because I really don’t have the time.
I do however apply a separate eye cream day and night (if I remember twice per day).
Intersitng article…
I have some combo areas i believe
I know for certain I have dry skin. I can’t remember ever having combination skin.
I have combination skin . But the difference between each area is minimal and I can use the same products all over.
I have combination skin, some good tips in this article. I’ve also found using two different primers one for oily and one for dry before make up has helped my makeup last much longer
I have combination skin. Currently using BOOST LAB 2D Hyaluronic Acid Hydro Boost Serum.
My skin is dry all over my face.
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I think as we get older we do have more combination skin. Mine as a teenager was more oily, then settled to normal, now moving more to dry. I try to keep my routine as simple as possible not to confuse my skin on how to react these days.
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Most of us have combination skin.
I tend towards dry though with an oily T Zone.