Have you ever applied some products in the morning, and then noticed that by mid-day some parts of your face seem dry, whereas others have become greasy? If yes, then it is likely that you have combination skin! Combination skin is generally categorised with having an oily T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) and dry/normal areas around the cheeks, jaw and hairline. While it can be attributed to genetics, the products you use can play a role in it too. Sometimes, using harsh products can damage your skin barrier, and either cause moisture loss or stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, making some parts feel greasier.
Since it is the trickiest skin type, taking good care is essential to ensure a balanced and nourished skin complexion.
Here is a simple skin routine that can help you achieve that.
1) Cleanser: Thyme Organic Oil Control Face Wash
Ingredient spotlight: Salicylic Acid and Witch Hazel
Benefits: When it comes to combination skin, it is important to find a cleanser that helps to keep your oil production in check while ensuring that it does not dry your face out. The Thyme Organic Oil Control Face Wash is a great option as it has a soap-free formula that is specially for this skin type. It is made up of Salicylic Acid, which is antibacterial and controls acne, blackheads and oil along with Calendula and Neem that fight inflammation and pigmentation. Moreover, Witch Hazel acts as an astringent and tones as well as minimises open pores. This gentle face wash effectively does its job of cleansing while balancing your pH levels and giving your skin an boost of nourishment.
How to use: Dampen your face and neck with lukewarm water, and apply an almond-sized amount (or one pump) and gentle massage it onto your face and neck in circular motions. Rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth.
2) Exfoliant: Myra Veda Hawaiian Mud & Seaweed Scrub
Ingredient spotlight: Mud, Pumice Stone Powder and Walnut Shells
Benefits: Using an exfoliant 1-2 times a week can be an effective way to tackle dry, dull and lackluster skin as well as improving your natural complexion. This scrub has a deeply cleansing yet hydrating formula that helps to slough away dead skin cells, dirt, oil and environmental residue while regulating oil production. Overall, Seaweed and Mud along with Walnut Shells, Pumice Stone Powder and natural butters help to recharge the skin and replenish its moisture content, while soothing it and giving it a radiant glow.
How to use: Gently massage a nickel-sized amount onto wet skin in a circular motion. Rinse it well with lukewarm water and pat dry.
How often to use: 1-2 times a week (only once a day!)
3) Multimasking:
The biggest challenge faced by those having combination skin is that they are unable to treat their multiple skin concerns at once with a single mask. Enter - multimasking! This helps to tackle all your skin concerns from dryness to oiliness at once and treat each area individually with a tailor made treatment for it.
A Detoxifying mask for the T-zone: Nature Trail Charcoal Therapy Face Mask
Ingredient spotlight: Bamboo Charcoal, Kaolin Clay and Bentonite Clay
Benefits: Activated Bamboo Charcoal is a pore cleansing powerhouse that pulls out dirt, oil, toxins and impurities like a magnet and clarifies the skin from within. It gently exfoliates and nourishes the skin, for a smooth, oil free and blemish free complexion. The mineral rich Clays on the other hand help to clarify the skin and deeply cleanse, keeping acne at bay. For the T-zone, it is best to opt for a Clay, Charcoal or Mud mask to allow your skin to detoxify as the nutrients to seep deep in.
How to use: Apply the mask on your T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) using a brush or your fingers. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then scrub gently to exfoliate. Rinse well and pat dry.
How often to use: Use twice a week for best results.
A Moisturising Mask For The Dry Areas: Swisse Hyaluro Natural Intensive Hydrating Mask
Ingredient spotlight: Botanical Alternative to Hyaluronic Acid
Benefits: A power packed combination of Senna Seeds, Sunflower Seed Oil, Soybean Oil along with Avocado and Aloe Vera work wonderfully to revitalise and deliver intense hydration to the drier areas, namely the cheeks, jaw and hairline. This mask provides deep nourishment and makes your skin supple, plump and smooth skin while giving it a youthful glow. Over time, it also gives you an even skin tone and tightens the skin as it diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How to use: Apply the mask on the cheeks, jaw area and hairline using a brush or your fingers. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well and pat dry.
How often to use: Use twice a week for best results.
4) Mist: Veda Earth Rose Water Face Mist
Ingredient spotlight: Distilled Roses
Benefits: Keep your skin rejuvenated and hydrated all day long while protecting it from pollution and sun damage. Rose is an excellent astringent with anti-inflammatory properties that is intensely soothing and as well as refreshing. It promotes cell regeneration as it tightens the pores and balances out the skin’s pH. Using a face mist regularly is a great way to revitalise your skin over the course of the day as well as avoid any uncomfortable greasiness or stickiness.
How to use: Keep your eyes closed, and spray it 3-5 times all over your face. Alternatively, use a pad and dab all over the face.
How often to use: Use twice a day - in the morning and night.
5) Serum: Martiderm Proteos Hydra Plus Sp 10 Ampoules
Ingredient spotlight: Proteoglycans & Vitamin C
Benefits: Using a serum is a great way to deliver highly potent and emollient actives into the skin. Vitamin C is touted as the ultimate glow-getter, and works wonders to manage a range of concerns from brightening, evening out your skin tone, moisturising and depigmenting the skin. These ampoules contain a pure form of L-Ascorbic Acid, which is protected through an amber glass ampoule to avoid oxidation. The beauty of this ampoule is that it contains UVA/UVB sunscreen too that protects the skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
How to use: Shake the ampoule lightly, and place the Easy Opener on it. Gently press until you hear a clicking round. Remove the Easy Open device and the top of the ampoule, and tip half the contents into your hand and apply all over the face.
How often to use: Use twice a day - in the morning and night.
6) Moisturiser: Sukin Oil Balancing Mattifying Facial Moisturiser
Ingredient spotlight: Rice Powder
Benefits: Applying a moisturiser daily is as basic as skincare gets. A cult-favourite and absolute staple, a moisturiser for combination skin must be lightweight and non-greasy yet provide enough hydration for the dry areas. The Sukin moisturiser is enriched with Rice Powder, Willowherb and Chamomile and provides adequate nourishment to the skin without feeling too thick at the end of the day. It soothes skin redness and inflammation too while leaving a silky, matte finish.
How to use: Apply an almond-sized amount to the face, neck and decolletage in gentle, circular motions. Always move in an upward manner to defy gravity and have a lifting effect.
How often to use: Use twice a day - both in the morning and night.
7) Sunscreen For The AM: Paul Penders Herbal Sun Prosperity
Ingredient spotlight: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide
Benefits: One of the golden rules of skincare is and always will be applying sunscreen every single day! However, steer clear of the multiple toxins usually present in sunscreens and opt for a safer alternative - a mineral sunscreen. It not only protects your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, but also prevents skin cancer, discolouration, pigmentation and signs of ageing. The Paul Penders Herbal Sun Prosperity is a super lightweight and non-greasy formulation that contains a blend of emollient botanicals that help to protect and nurture the skin, leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth and absolutely moisturised. Get slathering!
How to use: Use the ‘two-finger method’ - apply two strips of sunscreen from the tip to the base of the index and the middle finger, and then massage it all over your face and neck.
How often to use: Use in the morning and re-apply through the day as required.
8) Face Oil For The PM: Shankara Kumkumadi Oil
Ingredient spotlight: Red Gold Saffron, Red Sandalwood and Manjistha
Benefits: Those having combination skin must look for a face oil that is non-comedogenic yet nourishes the skin texture. The time-tested Ayurvedic Kumkumadi Oil is the perfect pick as it contains antiseptic, anti-microbial and moisturising properties. This all-rounded hero helps to reduce acne, pigmentation, discolouration while tightening the pores and preventing the signs of ageing. Using a gua sha or face roller can boost its power and ensure that the nutrients seep deep into your skin.
How to use: Apply 1-2 drops on to the palm of hand, and use fingers to massage the face and neck well.
How often to use: Use it every night.
The order you must apply your products in:
The Bottom Line:
At the end of the day, mastering the art of managing combination skin is simply finding the right products for your skin’s varying needs, and effectively using them to create a balanced skin routine.
- Krisha Jhaveri
