The skin is commonly described as normal, sensitive, oily, or dry, and most people build their skincare routine around these categories. But what if your skin doesn’t fit neatly into just one? If you experience both oily and dry areas, you likely have combination skin – one of the most common (and misunderstood) skin types. Read on for everything you need to know.
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How Do You Know If You Have Combination Skin?
You may have combination skin if your complexion shows a mix of both oily and dry characteristics across different areas of your face. Typically, this presents as an oily T-zone, where you might notice excess shine, enlarged pores or more frequent breakouts. At the same time, your cheeks and jawline may feel dry, tight or even appear flaky. Many people with combination skin also find that their skin changes with the seasons, becoming drier and more sensitive during colder months, while oiliness and shine increase in warmer weather.
Quick Test: A simple way to identify combination skin is to observe how your face feels throughout the day: if your T-zone becomes oily but your cheeks remain dry or tight, it is likely that you have combination skin.
Common Symptoms of Combination Skin
Combination skin is typically identified by a range of symptoms that affect different areas of the face in different ways. You may notice:
- Enlarged pores (especially in the T-zone)
- Acne breakouts and blackheads
- Excess oil and shine
- Flaking or dry patches
- Uneven skin texture
What Causes Combination Skin?
Combination skin can be influenced by a variety of factors, often working together to create an imbalance across different areas of the face.
Genetics
One of the most common causes is genetics, as your skin type is largely inherited. This means some people are naturally predisposed to producing more oil in certain areas, particularly the T-zone, while other areas remain normal or dry.
Hormones
Also playing a significant role in combination skin are hormones. Fluctuations in hormone levels, especially androgens, can increase oil production in areas with a higher concentration of sebaceous glands, such as the forehead, nose and chin. At the same time, these changes can contribute to breakouts while leaving other parts of the face feeling dehydrated or lacking moisture.
Environmental Factors
In addition, environmental factors can disrupt your skin’s natural balance. Exposure to pollution, UV rays and changing weather conditions can all impact how your skin behaves. For example, colder months often lead to increased dryness and sensitivity, while warmer, more humid conditions can trigger excess oil production and shine.
Skincare
Finally, the skincare products you use may be contributing to combination skin concerns. Harsh scrubs, strong exfoliating acids and alcohol-based products can strip the skin, leading to dryness and irritation. In response, your skin may overcompensate by producing more oil, particularly in the T-zone. Over-cleansing can have a similar effect, further disrupting the skin’s natural barrier and worsening the imbalance between oily and dry areas.
Combination Skin Concerns
There are two main skin concerns associated with combination skin: acne and xeroderma.
Acne
Excess oil in the T-zone can clog pores, leading to:
- Blackheads
- Spots
- Breakouts
Xeroderma
Xeroderma is the medical term for dry skin. Even with oily areas, combination skin often experiences:
- Dehydration
- Flaking
- Tightness
Treating Combination Skin
When it comes to treating combination skin, one of the most common mistakes is focusing only on the oily areas while neglecting dryness elsewhere. In reality, combination skin requires a balanced approach that addresses both concerns equally. The key is to manage excess oil without stripping the skin of essential moisture, as over-drying can actually trigger increased oil production.
SkinBase Essentials
Using gentle, non-irritating skincare products is essential to maintain this balance and protect the skin barrier. 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.
Achieving Balance with Combination Skin
Combination skin can feel difficult to manage, but with the right approach, it is entirely possible to achieve a balanced, healthy complexion. Find your nearest SkinBase Therapist to get started.
