Around 50 million people deal with acne issues in the United States. That's not even talking about other skin issues such as flakiness, blemishes, dark circles...the list goes on.
Are you comfortable in your skin?
You may be finding it difficult to get your skin under control, with an oily T-zone that constantly breaks out yet dry cheeks and under-eye areas that are prone to patches and flakiness.
Does that sound like you? You likely have combination skin and have been caring for it all wrong. Different skin types require different care, and combination skin is the fussiest.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about caring for your combination skin. Your skin will be glowing and healthy in no time.
What Is Combination Skin?
Combination skin is exactly what it sounds like — a combination of both dry and oily skin. This means that some areas of your face may be prone to dryness and flaking, while others are oily and greasy.
Generally, the oily areas are concentrated in your T-zone. This includes your forehead, chin, and nose — all of those areas where spots love to pop up. This is because the sebaceous glands in this area are very active.
The dry to normal areas of the face are typically the cheeks.
Combination skin is very common, but it does require some special care as different areas of your face need different treatment.
Do You Have Combination Skin?
Understanding what type of skin you have is crucial if you want to take proper care of it and keep your skin looking healthy and glowing.
So, do you have combination skin? While it's very common, it can be difficult to identify. You may be swinging between thinking that your skin is very oily some days and very dry others. These fluctuations are normal and depend very much on your lifestyle and environment.
There are some skin secrets for spotting combination skin that will help you identify what skin type you have.
First off, notice the areas that are oily and shiny on your face. People with oily skin will shine all over their faces. If you have combination skin, the oily areas will be on your T-zone while the perimeter of your face will be drier. This means that if you have combination skin, acne will be concentrated on your forehead, nose, and chin.
Do you have a particularly shiny forehead but no shine on your cheeks? You probably have combination skin.
Notice how your skin changes according to the weather as combination skin is particularly sensitive to weather changes. You may notice that in extreme temperatures your skin becomes drier inc certain areas while oilier in others.
Caring for combination skin isn't the easiest, but there are many facial tips and tricks to help you keep your skin glowing and healthy.
Washing Your Face When You Have Combination Skin
When it comes to washing your face, gentle facial cleansers and gentle exfoliation are key.
Washing your face is the most important step in your skincare regime to clean your skin of the dirt, oils, and impurities that build up throughout the day.
Look for a cleanser that will absorb oil and mattify your oily T-zone without over-drying your cheeks and the areas under your eyes. A gentle cleanser for all skin types which is free from harsh fragrances or alcohol will work best.
Finding a face scrub for all skin types is your best bet when it comes to exfoliation. Look for a gentle scrub that will remove dirt and grime from your skin's surface while removing dead skin.
You should only exfoliate a few times a week as you don't want to be too harsh or scrub on clean and new skin.
Skin Care Tips
So, you've got the washing and exfoliation covered — that's the easy bit, just stick to products for all skin types. But what about the rest of your skincare regime?
Perhaps you have a simple skincare routine that involves washing and moisturizer. On the other hand, you may have a multi-step program. Either way, you need to make it work for your combination skin.
When it comes to moisturizers, you need a hydrating and light moisturizer. Don't avoid moisturizing your T-zone for fear of making it more oily. Dehydrated skin actually produces oil, so you want to keep it nicely hydrated and nourished.
Lightweight formulas that are extremely hydrating are best for combination skin. It will provide the moisture you need in the dry areas while avoiding clogging the oily areas.
Now onto the extra products. Using a toner is recommended for removing any dirt and oil that your cleanser missed. Avoid alcohol-based toners in favor of something gentle and soothing.
When it comes to serum or treatment, divide and conquer works best. Choose emollient-rich products for the dry areas and reserve oil-absorbing serums and treatments for the T-zone areas.
Treat yourself and your skin to a facial treatment every so often, where a professional can tailor a treatment to your skin.
Combination Skin Secrets
There are a couple of amazing ingredients to seek out in your facial products that will help to keep your combination skin happy.
Look out for products that include:
Salicylic acid - to regulate oil production and unclog pores
Hyaluronic acid - great for hydrating the entire face without greasiness
Lactic acid - mild exfoliant for removing dead skin from dry areas
Antioxidants - protects skin against UV exposure
Emollients - necessary for dry areas to soften and smooth
Remember to avoid using emollients on T-zone areas. Most importantly, experiment with different skincare regimes to find the one that works best for your skin.
Different Skin Types Need Different Types of Love
Your skin is unique and beautiful, and you need to understand the different skin types so that you can give your skin the love it deserves. Combination skin requires a bit more extra work and attention, but with the right products and treatments, you'll have glowing skin.
Why not treat yourself to a luxurious facial treatment that will leave your skin hydrated and your T-zone unclogged? Book online today and or contact us if you need advice about the best treatment.