Combination Skin: Traits & Treatments

If you’re like most women, you have combination skin. Combination skin is characterized by its tendency to be dry on the cheeks and outer edges of the face while being more prone to oiliness on the T-zone (the forehead, nose, and chin). Combination skin may at first seem tricky to deal with, but a few simple measures can help to balance out the look and feel of your skin.

Written by Elizabeth Jacobs, Green Health Research Contributor

Combination Skin Treatments: Skincare

Keeping combination skin healthy and balanced begins with cleansing. You should look for water-based cleansers and moisturizers, as these will be lighter on your skin and add moisture without contributing any oily or greasy feeling. Only use alcohol-based astringents on your T-zone, and use them only when you really need to clean up extra oiliness, as alcohol is drying to the skin. Witch hazel astringents are better for your skin than alcohol astringents, as witch hazel is naturally soothing to the skin as well as toning. Also, be sure to use a moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher every day, and apply this to your entire face. Moisturizing your whole face will allow your skin to balance itself out and stops your oil glands from producing excessive amounts of oil to moisturize your skin.

Combination Skin Treatments: Cosmetics

As far as cosmetics go, the main concern with combination skin is to keep the skin in balance so neither dryness nor oiliness can rear its ugly head. In order to do this, you should look for cosmetics that contain natural skin soothers like witch hazel and aloe, and also products with natural antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect your skin from free radicals, which can cause wrinkles, blemishes, and even cancer. Vitamin C (whose technical name is ascorbic acid) and Vitamin E (also called tocopherol) are antioxidants which can help regulate your skin’s functions and promote the development of wrinkle-reducing collagen.

You should avoid any heavy, oil-based cosmetics which can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Look for products labeled ‘non-comedogenic’ to make sure the product will allow your pores to stay open and healthy. Also avoid any products containing bismuth oxychloride, which can cause your skin to become itchy and breakout. Bismuth is made from the byproducts of copper, lead, and chlorine, and is used by some makeup companies to give their products a pearly sheen. Other common skin irritants are the fragrances used to make scented face products, so try to use unscented products to minimize the chance of skin breakouts and allergic reactions. Taking the time to read product labels and effectively care for your skin will ensure your skin cares for you for years to come!