Typically, the combination skin type is characterized by dry, flaking skin on the cheeks, while excessive oil and shine appears on other areas of the face. Those with combination skin are in a constant battle with their T-Zone, which includes the forehead, nose, and chin.
What Is Combination Skin? Combination skin refers to people with both dry and oily areas on the face, confirms Dr. Hooman Khorasani, Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgeon. This skin type is characterized by non-uniform oil production: more active oil glands in the T-zone and less active oil glands elsewhere.
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.
According to board certified dermatologist and aesthetic expert Kavita Mariwalla, MD, FAAD, combination skin is normal, just like other skin types. The difference is that combination skin is oily in some places and dry in others. For example, “It's common to have an oily T-zone and dry cheeks.”
The scientific term for well-balanced skin is eudermic. The T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) may be a bit oily, but overall sebum and moisture is balanced and the skin is neither too oily nor too dry. A velvety, soft and smooth texture is a sign for a healthy and radiant skin.
If after 30 minutes your skin appears shiny throughout, you likely have oily skin; if it feels tight and is flaky or scaly, you likely have dry skin; if the shine is only in your T-Zone, you probably have combination skin; and if your skin feels hydrated and comfortable, but not oily, you likely have normal skin.
Gently pat a blotting paper on the different areas of your face. Hold the sheet up to the light to determine how much oil is visible. If the sheet picked up little to no oil, you most likely have dry skin. If the blotting sheet reveals oil from the forehead and nose areas, your skin is combination.
“Combination skin is generally shiny around the t-zone but dehydrated elsewhere, so a light, water-based moisturizer is important to restore balance within the complexion,” says esthetician and skin expert Melanie Grant.
The type of skin is determined by genetics, although it will also be affected by other factors and can change with time. Based on these characteristics, there are five types of healthy skin: normal, dry, oily, combination (both oily and dry skin) and sensitive.
Oily skin has an overall shine and tendency to breakout on the cheeks and T-zone. Combination skin has an oily T-zone but the cheeks are normal or dry. A common mistake made with both skin types, is the use of oily skin products that are harsh and drying.
Combination skin can be a mix of oily and dry. Your "T-Zone" (forehead, nose, and chin) may be oily while the rest of your face is dry. Pores are usually large, and blackheads are common. The skin may be very dry or very oily, and the skin on your cheeks may appear rough.
Genetically, dry skin tends to be thinner, pores are smaller, and skin appears to be smoother. But fine lines and wrinkles do appear more exaggerated. Oily skin, on the other hand, has much larger pores and is thicker. This provides extra padding or cushion to the skin.
Think of your skin-care routine as consisting of three main steps: Cleansing — Washing your face. Toning — Balancing the skin. Moisturizing — Hydrating and softening the skin.
What Is Dry-Combination Skin? Dry combination skin is characterized by dry cheeks and an oily T-zone. Most of your sebaceous glands are located in your T-zone. This essentially means your T-zone produces more sebum than the rest of your face.
Vaseline is safe to use, even if you have oily skin. But the heavy, greasy feeling of Vaseline might not be what you're aiming for with your skincare routine, especially if you have combination oily or extremely oily skin.
A new study by Missouri School of Journalism researcher Cynthia Frisby found that people perceive a light brown skin tone to be more physically attractive than a pale or dark skin tone.