Combination skin is one of the most common skin types and is identified as a combination of oily and dry patches of skin on the same surface. You can tell if you have combination skin by checking your T-zone, feeling for dryness or oiliness, or by looking to see if your skin is shiny or dull.
Per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), a combination skin type is one that has characteristics of both oily skin and dry skin. Typically, those with combination skin have drier skin on the cheeks and a more oily T-zone (an area that includes the forehead, nose, and chin).
“Combination skin means that there are some areas of your face that are dry and other areas of your face that are more oily,” says Dr. Ugonabo. She explains that, for those with combo skin, the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) is commonly oily, and the cheeks are often drier.
If it has a shiny appearance with oil on your face, it's oily. If you have oil on the t-zone and dryness on the cheeks, it's a combination. If your skin feels inflamed or itchy, you have sensitive skin. Lastly and fortunately, if you feel none of the above and your skin feels at ease, you have normal skin.
Characteristics of Combination Skin
The presence of enlarged pores, blackheads, and occasional breakouts in the oily areas can be attributed to the excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. In contrast, the dry areas may feel tight, flaky, and rough to the touch.
Look for products with any of these three powerful ingredients: - Hyaluronic acid moisturizes, plumps and helps retain hydration. - Salicylic acid helps reduce oil production and keep acne at bay. - Lactic acid can also dry up oily areas and help balance an oily T-zone.
Like cheese and pineapple or peanut butter and jelly, the dry cheeks and oily T-zone so typical of combination skin, make an unlikely pair that's incredibly common. According to cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Sam Bunting, around 60 per cent of us grapple, at some level, with this combination skin.
Normal skin: The rarest skin type there is. This skin is generally found prior to puberty and often referred to as balanced, because it is not too dry or too oily. It is soft, plump and with small to medium sized pores. The moisture content is good, with an even texture neither too thin nor too thick.
The Vein test
Observing your veins is the quickest way to determine your skin undertone. Check the veins that are visible on your wrists or underarm to see what colour they are. If your veins appear bluish or purple, you probably have cool undertones.
What causes combination skin? A variety of factors can trigger combination skin, but often it comes down to the luck of the draw in terms of what you inherited from your parents. Seasonal climate changes may also factor in and the types of skin care products you're using can absolutely exacerbate combination skin (1).
The Derma Co C-Cinamide Radiance Sunscreen Aqua Gel is an excellent option for combination skin types. Its lightweight, gel-based solution provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB radiation without leaving a greasy residue, making it ideal for these skin types.
AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Park notes. "BHA is lipid-soluble, so it can really get deeper into the pores for a good clean," making it an ideal choice for oily and combination skin types.
For combination skin, choose our oil-free, Ultra-Light Facial Moisturizing Lotion. It's formulated with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, and it includes a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to help protect from UVA and UVB rays that can lead to sun damage, dry skin, premature signs of aging and skin cancer.
The average skin color for most countries is light brown or tan. According to a study called “Shades of beauty,” light brown skin tones are often the most physically attractive skin color (Frisby et al., 2006). They used four models for that study.
Type III – White skin color, blonde/ brown hair, blue/brown eyes, tans after several burns, and may freckle. Common ethnic background: German.
Combination skin: Combination skin usually feels oily in the T-zone (the area that includes your forehead, nose, and chin) but dry everywhere else. It can also be oily and dry in different locations, but if you notice two or more different textures on your face, it is a sign that you have combination skin.