Someone with combination skin may have dry cheeks but an oily forehead. If your skin is oily to the touch and you feel textured blemishes and uneven skin texture caused by enlarged pores, then you've located oily skin. If you notice patches of both types on your face, then you may have combination skin.
Combination Skin is characterized by having oily areas, usually in the T-zone, and dry or normal areas on the cheeks and jawline. The T-zone may exhibit shine and have enlarged pores, while the other areas may feel relatively normal or dry.
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).
If your skin feels itchy and flaky, you have dry skin. 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.
When talking about combination skin, it means we have at least two different types of facial skin and may need to adjust our skincare habits accordingly. The main variations of combination skin are typically: Either oily or normal skin around the T-Zone area of the face. This includes the nose, forehead and chin.
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.
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.
Avoid using harsh, alcohol-based toners, over-exfoliating your skin, and using heavy, oil-based products. These can exacerbate the imbalances in your skin, leading to issues in both the oily and dry areas. Remember, skincare is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another.
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.
Look into a mirror in natural light. Artificial lighting can alter the appearance of your natural skin colour. Notice the colour of the skin along your jawline or behind your ear. These areas typically tend to show your skin tone in its purest form, without any redness or discolouration that could get in the way.
Dryness and flakiness: Too much or too little acid can strip your skin of its natural oils and dry it out. Acne: A disruption in the balance of your skin's natural oils encourages bacteria to grow, which can lead to breakouts. Irritation: An off-balance pH can cause issues like redness, itching and inflammation.
Combination skin can overcompensate and produce extra oil due to dehydration, so layering moisturising ingredients in your routine is key. Hyaluronic Acid is best applied as a serum. After cleansing, apply a couple of drops to damp skin to lock-in moisture and boost the skin's hydration levels.
Dry skin will usually start to look and feel tight shortly after cleansing, while oily skin may start to appear slick. Combination skin, meanwhile, will have both characteristics—meaning your cheeks may feel tight and dry, but your nose, forehead, and chin may have a bit of shine.
Vitamin C can help to regulate oil production, which is beneficial for those with combination skin that tends to be oily in the T-zone.
Alternative: When it comes to treating combination skin, it's best to keep your products and routine as simple as possible. As you shop for products, try to choose ones that are free of synthetic fragrance and other harmful ingredients like parabens and phthalates. Your skin will thank you!
To start, wash your face with a gentle cleanser, then pat it dry using a soft towel. Next, wait for 30 minutes and take a close look at your skin in the mirror. If your skin appears shiny all over, you likely have oily skin. Flaky, rough, or tight-feeling skin signals that you have dry skin.
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.
However, myths abound when it comes to who can and cannot use skincare products containing retinol. Whether your skin is oily, dry, sensitive or combination, you can still harness the anti-ageing, blemish-fighting prowess of this star skincare ingredient.
Those with warm skin often tan easily, and tend to look best in warm hues, such as red, orange, gold, or brown. While you may be able to determine if you have a warm skin tone by looking at yourself in natural light in the mirror, it's not always the easiest to decipher.
Fair: the lightest tone. You are likely to have blonde or red hair and tend to burn easily in the sun. Light: your skin is quite fair but has a 'warmer' look and tends to tan, rather than burn, in the sun. Medium: you always look fairly tanned and have a warm, golden or olive appearance.