Skin Care Routine For Combination Skin Guide

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What is Combination Skin?

Combination skin refers to skin that is a mixture of dry and oily. People with combination skin might experience more oil production on some parts of their body but have dry skin on other parts. For example, if you have an oily T-zone, but dry or flaky patches on your cheeks, you most likely have combination skin. Other signs of combination skin include:

• larger pores
• acne breakouts
• redness or sensitive patches
• skin that feels tight or rough to the touch

There is no real reason other than genetics why you have combination skin, but you may notice that your skin also changes throughout different seasons, with hormonal changes, or with stress.  

As combination skin tends to have dry and oily patches, it can be more challenging to manage its different needs. But don’t worry! All you have to do is identify the products that work together to moisturize and reduce oil and shine. In the next section, we explain how to build a combination skincare routine that does just this. 

Building a Combination Skincare Routine

As with any skincare routine, having a separate morning and night regime will ensure your skin gets what it needs throughout the day.

Morning Routine:

1. Cleansing: Cleansing your skin first thing removes any dirt and buildup. We recommend a gentle cleanser that is suitable for combination skin and rinsing with warm water.
2. Toning: Toners are an essential skincare product if you have combination skin. Alcohol-free, pH-balancing toners containing hyaluronic acid will moisturize your skin whilst helping to reduce irritation. We advise applying your toner with a soft cotton pad.
3. Exfoliating (optional): If you have an oily T-zone, a chemical exfoliator like lactic acid can help reduce breakouts while being gentle on the skin. You don’t need to exfoliate every day, two to three times a week should be enough. Avoid harsh exfoliators that might irritate your skin and cause redness.
4. Moisturize: Moisturizers are important for combination skin. In the morning, use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer. If you have dry patches of skin, you could apply a richer moisturizer to those parts. You can also use a serum to target specific skin concerns, such as uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, or dark spots.
5. Sun Protection: The final step of your morning skincare routine should always be SPF. Using a lightweight SPF every day will protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and help prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Night Routine:

Your nighttime routine should be very similar to your morning routine, with a couple of key differences.

1. Double Cleanse: For combination skin, double cleansing using an oil-based cleanser followed by a gentle foaming cleanser can be beneficial. This is also an effective step if you wear makeup during the day. However, if your skin is sensitive, you might only cleanse once.
2. Exfoliating (optional): Once or twice a week, gently exfoliate the areas of your skin that need it. A light exfoliant will remove dead skin cells and buildup without irritating your skin.
3. Treatments: Additional treatments like face masks are great at drawing out impurities. For combination skin, you can use two types of mask on your oily and dry patches of skin. Clay face masks work well for oily areas, while hydrating water-based masks are good for dry skin.
4. Moisturize: A thicker night-time moisturizer or hydrating face mask will target dry patches of your skin while you sleep, leaving them beautifully smooth when you wake up. For particularly dry skin, emollient moisturizers containing shea butter or coconut oil are super nourishing.
5. Face oil (optional): Depending on how oily your skin is, you could apply a facial oil as your final step. A balancing face oil will add hydration to combination skin and provide oil control. Alternatively, mix a couple of drops of face oil into your favorite moisturizer. 

Expert Tips for Combination Skin

Although combination skin can pose more challenges than other skin types, these are some expert tips for keeping your skin happy and healthy:

• Balance your skincare: Combination skin loves balance. Opt for combination skin products that reduce oiliness without stripping your skin of moisture, which can make it dry. Only exfoliate the parts of your skin that need it and don’t be afraid to mix and match products to suit your skin’s unique needs.
• Choose the right ingredients: Look for products with hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, or lactic acid. This powerful trio moisturizes the skin, reduces oil and prevents breakouts, and can balance an oily T-zone. Niacinamide has also been shown to be effective for combination skin.
• Test and learn: Combination skincare is all about testing different products. You will probably find that you have to use different products on different parts of your skin, including special face products for combination skin. If you experience redness, irritation, or your skin becomes more dry or oily than usual, listen to your skin and try something else.
• Be consistent: When it comes to a combination skincare routine, consistency is key. Try to get into the habit of using the same products every day for the best results. 

Product Recommendations

Prose offers a free skin consultation to create a custom skincare routine, just for you. All you have to do is answer a series of questions to help us understand your lifestyle, environment, and skin concerns – we’ll do the rest! 

Although your skincare routine should be unique to you, these are some of the best products for combination skin:

• Cleansers: A good cleanser for combination skin will gently remove any oil, dirt, or buildup without affecting the skin barrier. Our Custom Cleanser is the perfect choice for all skin types.
• Serums and Treatments: Serums with vitamin C and peptides can help brighten and balance oily and combination skin. If you have a specific skin concern, like acne, go for serums containing salicylic acid or niacinamide. Remember that if you use a product with vitamin C, always combine it with sunscreen if you are going outside.
• Moisturizers: Lightweight but hydrating moisturizers are the best choice for combination skin. Our Custom Moisturizer is fast-absorbing and offers protection against daily aggressors.  

We hope this article helps you to find effective products for combination skin. A mix of hydrating moisturizers and gentle exfoliators will help keep your complexion balanced and your skin in top condition. If you’d like to learn more about customizing your skincare routine, Prose is here to help with our unique consultation process.