The basics of combination skincare routine
A basic skincare routine is comprised of three fundamental steps: cleanse, tone, moisturize. These steps are considered essential because each step complements and balances the other, forming a complete circle of skin health. The main idea behind it is to purify the skin while keeping it hydrated and balanced. This prevents breakouts and premature aging from occurring.
Choosing products for combination skin
When choosing cleansers, toners, and moisturizers for combination skin, it’s important to find ones that aren’t too harsh or too heavy as these can irritate dry areas and cause breakouts in oily areas. Search for products that are free of synthetic fragrances and irritants such as alcohol and witch hazel. Try using a gel or mild foaming cleanser for oily and dry combination skin and a lotion-based cleanser for dry skin with rosacea and/or sun damage. Look for toners that don’t contain alcohol, witch hazel, menthol or citrus oils as they will be too harsh on your skin as well.
Use different products in different areas
It’s also important if you have combination skin to use different products for different areas of the face to keep your skin in equilibrium. Since you are essentially treating multiple skin types at once, it’s important to choose products that address individual concerns separately. This could mean using a mild cleanser and moisturizer on your dry cheeks with a more stringent product on your T-zone designed to cut through the oil.
Once you have chosen products that are ideal for the different areas and concerns of your skin, it’s as easy as following the steps every morning and evening.
– Cleanse: Use a cleanser to wash your face and remove dirt and pollutants from your pores.
– Tone: Apply a toner after cleansing to remove any residual dirt missed by your cleanser and to prepare your skin for moisturizer.
– Moisturize: Moisture is key for glowing skin. While cleansing and toning clear your skin, these two steps also remove your skin’s natural oils that keep it hydrated. Moisturizer restores this hydration to the skin and creates a supple feeling. Even if your skin can be oily in some areas, moisturizer is still necessary, as dehydrated skin can actually produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture, thereby worsening the problem. For extremely oily areas, apply less moisturizer or a lighter formula that is non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores, it will usually state this on the packaging).
It’s also important to look for a moisturizer containing SPF or apply sunscreen after your moisturizer to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
One more thing: try adding exfoliation to your weekly routine
Another step that can help with combination skin, and all skin types for that matter, is exfoliation. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that have built upon the surface of your skin. Using exfoliants on combination skin helps promote cell turnover and reveal fresh, more balanced skin underneath. Try a BHA / salicylic acid or an AHA / glycolic acid exfoliating wash a few times a week to clear out your pores and encourage a fresh complexion.
Want more combination skincare advice? Read our seven essential combinations of skincare tips.
