Your Guide to Combination Skin - Go To’s✨

Today’s topic is all about Combination Skin. If your skin feels dry in some areas and oily in others, you’re not alone! Combination skin can be tricky, but with the right routine, it can be perfectly manageable.

What is Combination Skin? 🤔

Combination skin is a skin type that’s, well, a little bit of everything. Usually, people with combination skin experience oiliness in the T-zone (that’s your forehead, nose, and chin) while areas like the cheeks tend to be dry or even normal. You might notice this when your face feels shiny in some areas but needs extra hydration in others. Knowing your skin type is key to finding products that will balance out these differences without making one area too oily or another too dry.

Recommended Products for Combination Skin 🧴

Let’s get into the products! Here are some top recommendations for cleansers, serums, and moisturizers that work wonders on combination skin, plus the benefits of each and how to use them.

1. Cleansers: Clean, Balanced, and Fresh 🧼

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser (£5-7): This gentle, oil-based cleanser uses squalane, a super hydrating ingredient that mimics the skin’s natural oils. It’s perfect for removing makeup and impurities without stripping the skin. Use it daily, morning or night—just warm a bit in your hands until it turns into an oil, then massage into your skin and rinse.

Bioderma Soothing Micellar Cleansing Foaming Gel (£10-12): A cleanser with micellar technology to lift dirt and oil without harsh rubbing. It’s especially calming, so it won’t aggravate the drier areas of combination skin. Use it twice a day to keep your skin fresh and balanced.

Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser (£10): This creamy cleanser is a blend of hydrating ingredients like ceramides and probiotics that cleanse while keeping the skin barrier strong. It’s effective for removing excess oil in the T-zone while keeping the rest of the face soft and moisturized. Great for morning and evening use.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel Cleanser (£12-15): If you’re dealing with the occasional breakout in your oily areas, this cleanser has micro-peeling properties to help exfoliate gently. It works to clear out pores and control oil but won’t be too harsh on dry spots. Use 2-3 times a week, ideally at night.

2. Serums: Targeted Treatments for Balance 🌿

First Aid Beauty Niacinamide Serum (£28): This serum uses niacinamide to help reduce oil production and refine pores. It’s also great for calming redness, making it a solid choice for combination skin. Apply morning and night after cleansing to balance out the oily and dry areas.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (£5): A budget-friendly option packed with niacinamide, which helps to even out the skin’s texture and reduce excess oil without drying. Use it daily in your morning routine for a matte, refreshed look throughout the day.

Vichy Mineral 89 Serum (£25): This serum is loaded with hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, making it perfect for dry patches. It leaves skin plump and hydrated without clogging pores, so you can use it all over your face. Ideal for both morning and evening application.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (£60): A classic nighttime serum, this product helps repair the skin overnight with antioxidants and hydration. Although it’s rich, it’s lightweight and absorbs beautifully, making it ideal for tackling dryness while keeping oily areas calm. Use nightly after cleansing for the best results.

3. Moisturizers: Hydrate and Protect 💧

Avène Calm and Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer (£15): This gel moisturizer uses oat extract to soothe and hydrate without feeling heavy or greasy. Perfect for combination skin, it absorbs quickly and can be used day and night to keep the skin feeling calm and balanced.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (£28): Known for its versatility, this cream delivers intense hydration that lasts all day without clogging pores. It’s a go-to for many with combination skin and works great under makeup. Apply morning and night for soft, smooth skin.

Clinique Moisture Surge (£25-30): A cult-favorite gel-cream with a refreshing, lightweight feel that’s perfect for oily areas but still provides enough hydration for dry patches. Use it morning and night or whenever you feel your skin needs a quick hydration boost.

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream (£18): This moisturizer combines calming herbal extracts with brightening niacinamide. It’s rich yet lightweight, so it nourishes dry areas without making oily spots worse. Apply a thin layer in the morning or use it as a night cream for deep hydration.

Combination skin may have a little bit of everything, but with a balanced routine and the right products, it can look and feel its best! I hope this guide helps you find some new favorites to add to your skincare collection. Here’s to happy, healthy, balanced skin! ✨