The Best Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin

People who have combination skin may need to pursue more than one solution to balance oil levels on the cheeks and T-zone. Here are the basics of the best skin care routine for combination skin. Learn more about the unique needs of this skin type by checking out our simple skin care routine for combination skin.

Use Balancing Cleansers and Treatments for Combination Skin Care

Balancing cleansers work by removing buildup from skin without eliminating every trace of sebum or natural oil. A balancing cleanser will not dry out skin prone to dryness, nor will it encourage skin to overproduce oil.

When you switch from a harsh cleanser to a balancing formula, skin in your T-zone or other areas that tend to become oily may respond to this gentle approach. Sebum glands overproduce oil to compensate when all natural oils have been removed.

Using combination skin care products that do not strip away natural moisture may cause skin to produce less oil and normalize moisture levels. The effect cleanser has on your face can be compounded by any other treatments.

Combination skin and particularly areas prone to oil production may benefit from the use of toner. Avoid harsh, alcohol-based formulas that strip oils and kick sebum glands into overdrive. A good cleanser and toner establish a basis for even skin texture and tone.

Moisturize Your Entire Face

Moisturizing is an essential aspect of the best skin care routine for combination skin. You may be tempted to moisturize dry areas and leave oily areas alone, but the hydration you provide to each and every part of your face affects oil production levels.

People with combination skin may be able to use a lightweight moisturizer over the entire face, particularly during the warmer months. Any facial moisturizer you choose should provide sufficient hydration to dry areas such as the cheeks and deliver non-comedogenic or non-pore-blocking moisture to oily skin.

If oily areas persist even as sebum production slows down in the winter and cold temperatures and low humidity join forces to sap moisture from skin, consider applying a light moisturizer to these areas and a thicker formula to dry skin. Treating the condition of each area may be helpful for managing combination skin.

Make Seasonal Combination Skincare Adjustments

The best skin care routine for combination skin varies based on the season. In general, skin produces more oil in warm weather and dries out in cooler weather. For combination skin, this means that oily areas such as the T-zone become more of a problem during the spring and summer and areas prone to dryness lose even more moisture during the late fall and over the winter.

You may prefer to switch out cleansers, toners, moisturizers and other products based on the season. A balancing cleanser can be useful all year long, but you may want to wash oil-prone areas with a specialized treatment during certain times of year to avoid pore blockages and breakouts.

It may also be necessary to adjust the moisturizers you use on each part of your face. During the winter, a rich moisturizer may be suitable for your entire face, or you may still need to apply a lighter formulation to oil-prone skin. Combination skin will become more normal when the T-zone becomes less oily and healthy moisture levels are maintained on the cheeks or other areas that tend to become dry, especially when outdoor temperatures and humidity levels drop.

Balancing oil levels through gentle cleansing, toning, moisturizing and skin treatments is an important part of the best skin care routine for combination skin. Monitor the condition of your skin throughout the year and switch out seasonal combination skin care products.