It happens for a variety of reasons, from the weather around us to the products we use. It's typical to experience dryness across the cheeks and oiliness in the T-zone that stretches across the forehead and down the bridge of the nose, but combination skin can look a few different ways.
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).
Combination skin is exactly what it sounds like — a combination of oily and dry skin on your face. Studies have indicated sebum secretion occurs in different areas than where dry skin forms, making it very possible to have both oily and dry skin on one face.
Combination Skin
Based on its location, it presents characteristics of both dry and oily skin since the distribution of sebaceous and sweat glands is not homogeneous. The area with more oil is usually the T- zone (forehead, nose, and chin), while the skin on the cheeks is normal or dry.
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.
Among the common skin types, sensitive skin is often considered somewhat rare. Sensitive skin tends to react more easily to external factors, making it somewhat challenging to manage.
For combination skin, some dermatologists recommend using two different moisturizers to treat your separate skin woes. The Derm Review suggests treating dry skin areas with an emollient-rich moisturizer, while treating oily skin areas with a moisturizer that contains acne-fighting ingredients.
By definition, Normal Skin is a skin type often perceived as the gold standard due to its balanced sebum production. It is neither too oily nor too dry. This type of skin is characterised by a soft, smooth texture accompanied by a radiant complexion. It has minimal pores and rarely gets any blemishes.
Your skin type is largely based on how much sebum (oil) your skin produces. This is largely the result of genetics, but it can also be influenced by several factors—including aging, humidity, stress, and hormones. According to Dr. Ugonabo, “Your skin [type] can change over time.
Since combination skin is characterized by overactive sebaceous glands, you might observe open/enlarged pores on the oily regions. These clogged pores may get further exacerbated, turning into whiteheads, blackheads or acne.
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.
Your T-zone is made up of the 'T' shaped area spanning your forehead down to your nose and chin. Your T-zone contains more sebaceous glands than anywhere else on your face and so it is completely normal to appear more oily than other areas of your face.
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.
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.
So you may have dry patches and an oily t-zone and even some sensitivity. This is commonly known as 'combination' skin. It just means we don't fit one type easily. Combination skin can often be dehydrated for different reasons.
Average skin colors are seen as most attractive. Typically, tan is the average skin color, making it very attractive to most people. However, the most attractive skin color varies on preference, culture, and sex. A healthy skin complexion and rosy “glow” is always considered attractive.
Attractiveness ratings and other positive impressions increased in the order of the matte (ranked lowest), the oily shine on entire face, and the radiance on entire face (ranked highest) conditions.
COMBINATION SKIN CARE
If normal skin is the easiest to take care of, combination skin can be the most difficult. While the skin itself isn't anything extreme to manage, providing the different areas of the skin with the specific ingredients it needs can be challenging.
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.
Our skin type is largely predetermined by genetics; however, many factors affect or bring about changes in skin type. These include age, illness, nutrition, medication, environmental factors, and hormonal changes (especially during puberty, pregnancy and menopause).
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.
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.
Type III – White skin color, blonde/ brown hair, blue/brown eyes, tans after several burns, and may freckle. Common ethnic background: German.