The skin is commonly described as normal, sensitive, oily, dry etc., and individuals tailor their skincare routines to this description. However, what if your skin doesn’t fit neatly into one of these categories? Here’s everything you need to know about combination skin.
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Combination Skin
Combination skin is characterised by a mix of different areas, as the name suggests. You may experience oily patches, dry areas, and may even have some ‘normal’ skin. Though combination skin is very common, it can be difficult to treat due to the varying needs your complexion has.
How Do I Know If I Have Combination Skin?
People with combination skin commonly have an oily T zone (the forehead, nose and chin areas) but suffer from dryness across the cheeks and jawline. If this is how you would describe your complexion, it is likely you have a combination skin type. You may also notice seasonal fluctuations in the condition of your skin, with your dry patches becoming more widespread and ‘flakier’ in winter, and excess oil and shine in summer.
Combination Skin Symptoms
- Large ‘T Zone’ Pores
- Acne Breakouts
- Flaking & Dryness
- Blackheads
- Excess Oils
Causes
- Genetics – Combination skin is often something you are born with – inherited from your parents. Your genetics can influence the overproduction of sebum in your T zone.
- Hormones – Hormones also have a large impact on your complexion. Androgens may cause your skin to overproduce oils in the T zone (where there are the most sebaceous glands) while drying out other areas.
- Environment Factors – Environmental aggressors, such as pollution and UV rays, and weather conditions (e.g. high humidity) can contribute to combination skin.
- Product Use – Though it sounds counterproductive, the skincare you are using may be aggravating your skin concerns. Products that are too harsh or irritating could be causing your combination skin concerns. Think scratchy scrubs, powerful acids and sensitising alcohol. These ingredients trigger dryness where your skin may be prone to it, and stimulate oil production where sebaceous glands are abundant.
Combination Skin Concerns
There are two main skin concerns associated with combination skin: acne and xeroderma.
- Acne – Acne is common with combination skin. If an oily T zone is not addressed, the sebum overproduction can clog pores, resulting in acne breakouts. Find out more about acne-prone skin in the Acne Hub.
- Xeroderma – Xeroderma is the medical term for dry skin. Despite the overproduction of sebum in most areas, those with combination skin often suffer with patches of dryness.
Treating Combination Skin
If you have combination skin and you’re dealing with excess oils and the other frustrating symptoms that occur, you may be tempted to focus your effort on your T zone, to banish acne and blackheads. However, it is important to see your complexion as a whole. The dryness needs just as much attention as the oily areas to achieve a healthy glow. Use gentle products and apply to the areas that need them most for the best results.
SkinBase Essentials
The SkinBase Essentials range has been specifically formulated to be gentle and soothing, perfect for all skin types. Find the products in the SkinBase shop.
SkinBase Hydro
SkinBase Hydro is a gentle exfoliation treatment that utilises actives and botanicals to exfoliate, nourish and hydrate the skin. The water based Hydro serums offer a number of benefits to the skin as the lightweight texture delivers intense hydration deep into the skin. It is the perfect choice for combatting excess oils and dryness.
Clarifying Serum
The Hydro Clarifying serum is packed full of natural ingredients and is the perfect choice for calming and hydrating combination skin. The serum is applied using a vacuum action, allowing these ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin to effectively address combination skin concerns.
Niacinamide
With anti-inflammatory properties, it renews and restores your oily, acne-prone skin by repairing past damage, minimising sebum production and improving your skin barrier. Applying niacinamide has also been shown to enhance the effectiveness of moisturisers, so that the skin’s surface can better resist moisture loss.
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
A natural ingredient beneficial for acne-prone skin as it regulates excess oils, refines pores and mattifies shine to improve the appearance of your skin.
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
With anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, it naturally accelerates tissue healing to quickly clear any breakout symptoms you may have. It also softens and hydrates the skin, to soothe irritated, flaky dryness and restore your natural radiance.
Citric Acid
Promotes exfoliation and cell turnover, while restoring moisture to your skin to treat breakouts.
Once the serum has absorbed, your SkinBase Therapist will follow up with the SkinBase Essentials skincare range to lock the fantastic ingredients into your combination skin, and keep it protected post-treatment.
