Taking care of your skin can be a hassle, especially finding the right skincare routine that works best for you. We all know our skin type is based on genetics, but while you can’t change your skin type, you can, however, keep tweaking your skincare routine until you get it right!
When it comes to routines, skincare for combination skin is arguably one of the trickiest. After all, how do you care for skin that’s oily and dry at the same time?
What is combination skin?
If you notice your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) is always oily whereas your U-zone (cheeks) are often dry, then your skin type is probably combination skin.
Not everyone’s face works this way though, some may experience more oiliness compared to dryness, while others may have it the other way round. Pay particular attention to where your skin dries up the most and whether you have a certain area that is greasier or shinier than the other.
The common skin problems for those with combination skin would be having whiteheads on their noses and acne on their foreheads. Though as you age, your skin type may change along the way as well, but ultimately it shouldn’t stray away too much than the initial skin type.
Skincare for combination skin: How to know what’s suitable?
If you’re new to skincare, it would probably take some time to test out all the products in order to find the ones that suit your skin the best. It requires a whole lot of trial and error, especially because you have a combination of both oily and dry skin, making it more difficult to identify whether it works for you or not.
Always remember there is no “one size fits it all” solution when it comes to skincare. The best way is to do a patch test for certain products to see if your skin responds well.
Also, give your skincare products time. Even the best skincare for combination skin won’t work overnight; try new products for at least a month before deciding if it deserves to be kept or thrown away. You should also only introduce one new product at a time so you’d know whether the product is making an impact.
Otherwise, after some trial-and-error, you will eventually figure out how your skin works and which are the best skincare products to use. Taking good care of your skin is a lifelong journey after all, so take your time with it! We all want beautiful skin, but in order to achieve that, patience and consistency are vital.
Recommended day & night skincare for combination skin
Now, just because you have both oily and dry skin, it doesn’t mean you need two separate skincare routines! Though there are specific skincare routines for dry and oily skin, with combination skin, you are essentially looking for a routine that satisfies somewhere in the middle. Below are the recommended day & night skincare routine for those with combination skin:
Morning skincare for combination skin
- Cleansing gel or cream
- Toner
- Lightweight moisturiser
- Zinc oxide sunscreen
Night skincare for combination skin
- Cleansing Gel or Cream
- Toner
- AHA/BHA serum
- Retinol serum
- Lightweight moisturiser
Best skincare products for combination skin
As for the skincare products suitable for combination skin, here are some of the best ones:
1. Skincare for combination skin: cleansers
When it comes to choosing a cleanser for combination skin, a gel or cream cleanser would be suitable. Avoid any cleansers which tend to be too harsh on the skin as it could dry out your cheeks, although it wouldn’t affect your oily T-zone as much. The key is to look for a cleanser that satisfies both dry and oily skin, which is what gel and cream cleansers provide.
Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
This cleanser starts off as a cream and eventually turns into foam, enabling cleansing to be more effective on your skin. It is also gentle on the skin, perfect as a daily cleanser if you need skincare for combination skin.
Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser (190ml) retails for RM125.
Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Since you need to find a cleanser that works for both dry and oily skin, this low pH gel cleanser does the trick! It’s mild enough to gently cleanse your face without leaving any dryness or tightness feeling after. Suitable for almost any skin type!
Corsx Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser (150ml) retails for RM25.50 at Shopee and RM38.70 at Hermo. Check the links below for the latest prices.
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Recommended by most users with combination skin, the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser comes with cucumber extracts that are gentle enough on the skin, avoiding any dryness. This cleaner is also packed with aloe vera leaf juice, sunflower and soybean oil to help keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
Check the links below for the latest prices.
2. Skincare for combination skin: toners
Those who have combination skin would know that after each cleanse, your skin tends to feel a little tight or oily in certain places.
Toners help to balance out the pH levels of combination skin types. You would want to look for toners that contain antioxidants within their hydrating formula. Avoid toners with alcohol in them as they will cause your skin to dry out. Opt for alcohol-free soothing toners instead.
Herbivore Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner
The Jasmine Green Tea Oil Control Toner is rich in Green Tea antioxidants to combat pores, acne and visible blemishes, as well as controlling the skin’s oil production.
Herbivore Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner (120ml) retails for RM169
Paula's Choice Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
This is an alcohol-free toner that users have said helps those with combination skin tremendously. Your skin will feel refreshed while tightening pores and reduce the inflammation of acne.
Paula’s Choice Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner (118ml) retails for RM110.50
3. Skincare for combination skin: serums
The type of serums to look out for if you have combination skin would be hydrating serums with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients.
Particularly, the hydrating serums that have the ingredient “humectants”. It provides hydration to your skin without producing any extra oil on your face. Hence, you won’t be having any greasiness added to your T-zone.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
This retinol-based serum works best for both dry or oily skin, so you don’t have to worry about having unnecessary dryness on your cheeks while also keeping your oil production balanced by unclogging your pores.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (30ml) retails for RM55.90. Check the link below for the latest price.
Niod Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Complex
When applied to combination skin types, Niod’s Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex hydrates your skin without leaving behind any oil or making your face greasy. It also offers some moisture to your skin, suitable for your dry cheeks.
Niod Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Complex (15ml) retails for RM130 at Shopee and RM138.50 at Lookfantastic. Check the link below for the latest price.
4. Skincare for combination skin: moisturisers
Though some suggested using two moisturisers in order to cover the dry and oily areas separately, for those of you with combination skin who prefer to use one moisturizer, then you should go for those that are lightweight and don’t leave your skin greasy afterward such as oil-free moisturisers.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
With Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, you won’t have to worry about your face being greasy as it is very lightweight. When you apply it to your face, it won’t leave a sticky feeling. Instead, it offers more of a thick and rich texture.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (125ml) retails for RM132.
Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion
Being oil-free, without a doubt, there won’t be any greasiness after applying it on your face. Although it is lightweight, it still hydrates your skill well enough, ensuring maximum effectiveness due to its antioxidants and vitamins.
Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (100ml) retails for RM65.55.
5. Skincare for combination skin: sunscreen
If you think you don’t need sunscreen, well, you’re wrong. No matter what your skin type is, sunscreen is a must to use on a daily basis.
The reason is that UV rays from the sun can cause skin cancer, wrinkles, sun spots, to name a few. The best sunscreens for combination skin would be those that are lightweight so you could use just one sunscreen that satisfies both your dry cheeks and oily T-zone.
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF 50
Since it is non-comedogenic, it won’t clog any of your pores when apple, making it perfect for your oily T-zone or areas on your face that are prone to breakouts. The ingredients such as royal jelly extract and hyaluronic acid help to hydrate your skin all day long, with a watery formula that is lightweight which won’t leave any greasiness throughout the day.
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF 50 (50g) retails for RM31.50.
Paula's Choice Store Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
With the grape-seed extract that is rich in antioxidants and hydrating glycerin, rest assured your skin will be well protected from the sun all day long! It offers a feather-light texture, making it perfect for your oily T-zone while offering anti-aging properties as well. Say goodbye to wrinkles or any visible signs of aging when you apply this after your daily morning skincare routine!
Paula’s Choice Store Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 (60ml) retails for RM165.
