Photo by Jessica Felicio on Unsplash
Millions of people around the world have combination skin. But how do you know if you have combination skin? One of the tell-tale signs is when you have oily skin on your T-Zone and dryness on your cheeks/jaw area. Although it can seem frustrating, it’s quite easy to take care of – if you follow a skincare routine and use the right products, of course. It’s important to remember that although everyone’s skin is different, there will be products out there that can help.
What Causes Combination Skin?
There are many factors that can contribute to or cause combination skin. These can be:
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- Genetics
- Hormonal changes: which can trigger an over-produce of oil on some parts of your skin and dry patches on others. This can occur during puberty or during menopause.
- Humidity and heat
- Lifestyle habits and using products that have harsh ingredients in them.
Other Key Signs That You Have Combination Skin
- Your face is oily 10-20 minutes after you wash your face.
- Moisturizer for normal skin doesn’t work on your T-zone.
- You have noticeable pores on your nose.
- You get dry patches and breakouts at the same time.
- You have dry and oily skin in your T-zone.
- The weather affects the state of your T-zone.
- You have dandruff – when you have flaky patches on your scalp, it could be a clear indication that you have combination skin.
What Makeup Should I Use?
It might seem tricky to find makeup that’s appropriate for combination skin. But with the development of makeup, it’s clear that many brands now offer products that are suitable. It’s a good idea to mix it up with your makeup and use specific products in different seasons. For example, in the winter when your skin will start to dry out, you should try to use a cream blush/foundation. In the summer, however, as your skin will be oilier due to the heat, a powder blush/foundation is more appropriate. Eyeshadow and skin primer is also a great way of getting your eyeshadow/foundation to stick when it’s humid outside.
Whether you are on holiday, in the Disney parks or strolling around town, blotting papers are also handy to have in your purse. These will soak up the oils on your T-zone and chin, whilst keeping your makeup in place. Blotting paper for oily skin is also quite affordable, with many options across Amazon.
Research, Research, Research
No matter if you are a busy mom looking for an easy skincare routine or you are a college student, you want to find products that are effective without them breaking the bank. So before you go buying the most expensive products that claim that they will help, it’s good to do some research into what is available on the market and if they really work – you can do this by reading through customer reviews. When looking at products, there is a clear divide between those that are wallet-friendly and those that are on the luxury end. Of course, you should use good quality products. But that doesn’t mean that you should only be purchasing from luxury brands.
Anyhow, onto the top 5 tips on how to control combination skin!
Use Jojoba Oil in Your Skincare Routine
When you have combination skin, you want to correct the imbalance – and Jojoba oil is a great way to do this. A magical ingredient, it will moisturize your skin and regulate your skin’s oil production. Tricking the skin into thinking that it has produced enough sebum (the oil that skin produces) it will control and rebalance it. Giving it all of the hydration and moisture it needs, it can be used in the morning and in the evening. You will start to see the difference in your skin within weeks of using it – just remember not to overdo it (1-2 drops should do it!). Jojoba oil is also quite affordable, with some brands offering it for as low as $7. This elixir is the ideal addition to your toners and cleansers and will make your skin feel rejuvenated.
Keep Your Products In The Refrigerator
Everyone keeps their skincare products in the medicine cabinet or cupboard right? Apparently not. Now, people are putting their products in the refrigerator. Why you might ask? Because when you store them in a cool place, the products will help to reduce redness and inflammation. They can also help to balance oil production as the day goes on! So take your toners, moisturizers, cleansers, etc. out of your bathroom and start storing them in the refrigerator.
Use SPF When in The Sun
This probably goes without saying, but it’s essential that you wear sun protection when the weather is hot. There are a variety of sunscreens available for combination skin, that will help to balance the oils whilst protecting it from harmful UV rays. Light and not as thick as standard sunscreens, it’s important that you use a brand that’s specifically designed for your skin type. If you don’t use sunscreen, your skin can become damaged and the oil can worsen.
Exfoliate Regularly
Combination skin will generally respond well to frequent exfoliation. This is because it gets rid of the bacteria and dead skin cell buildup – allowing the excessive oil to be controlled. However, it’s important to remember that if you have sensitive skin, to not overly exfoliate – this could damage your skin in the long term. You should exfoliate your skin once in the morning and before you go to sleep.
Use Good-Quality Toners and Cleansers
Toners and cleansers are often forgotten about when it comes to a skincare routine, but they can be really effective if used correctly. Firstly, you need to find a toner that’s designed for combination skin – toners that have a high concentration of antioxidants will help with inflammation whilst ensuring that your complexion isn’t dried out. In terms of cleansers, it’s a good idea to use a foaming cleanser in the morning which will remove oil. In the evening, to replenish the moisture in your skin, a cream-based cleanser is better. It’s important not to miss this step out and to try to use them regularly – in order to get the best possible results.
Bonus Tip: Treat Parts of Your Face Differently
It’s important to know that you should treat your T-zone and cheeks separately. Many people will use one moisturizer over their entire face, but with combination skin, this may make the issues that you have with oil worse. The perfect way of balancing your complexion is to use an oil-balancing moisturizer on your T-zone followed by a hydrating moisturizer for your cheeks. Your T-zone moisturizer will control shine, whilst your hydrating cheek moisturizer will prevent it from becoming dry throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
So, there you go! Those are the top five tips that you can use to help control your combination skin. Of course, what works best for you will be dependent on your individual skin – one size doesn’t fit all. But to help reduce oil, rejuvenate your skin and bring back the balance, it’s advisable to try a variety of methods before finding the right one for you. It’s also important to remember that your skin won’t change overnight – it might be a little while before you start noticing a difference. But that doesn’t mean that the methods aren’t working! Just be patient and you will have a balanced complexion in no time!