Blogs by Dermatologist

Combination Skin

Combination Skin Care

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Combination Skin Care

If you are not sure what is your skin type is, then you probably have combination skin type. Do you know why? Because Combination skin has varied oil secretion patterns over the face, like:

  • oily T-zone (forehead and nose) along with dry to slightly oily cheek.
  • patches of oily and dry skin.
  • sometimes oily and sometime dry.
  • neither oily nor dry.
  • other varied pattern of oil secretion.

If you fall in any of the above category, the mantra to skin care is balancing oil sections so that your skin neither feels oily nor dry, also termed as normal skin type. Normal skin type is the result of the right kind of skin care regime; rarely people are blessed with just the right kind of oil secretions on their skin.

Crafting a right skin care routine for combination skin focuses mainly on optimising oil secretions. Thus, the skin care products are choosen to ensure that your face is neither oily nor dry. Pimples and open pores (if any) will decrease, once the oil secretions are balanced.

MORNING REGIME

STEP 1- FACE WASH

It is important to choose a face wash that is neither too drying nor moisturising for your combination skin. I always recommend creamy face wash with some moisturising ingredients and mild surfactants. However, if the oil control is inadequate, you can shift to water-based transparent face wash. You should avoid harsh surfactants like SLS and additional oil control ingredients, e.g., tea-tree oil, neem, salicylic acid, etc. until and unless you have pimples. View this list of face wash that is best suited for combination skin type or you can try this home made face wash.

 

STEP 2: ROSEWATER

After washing your face, Spray rose water and massage to hydrate and soothe your skin. Click on this link to find best pure organic Rosewater in India.

 

STEP 3 SUNSCREEN

You should use sunscreen with SPF 15 indoors and top-up with SPF 30 30 minutes before stepping out in the bright sun. Here are few tips for sun protection:

  • Lotion / BB cream with SPF of 15 is enough if you stay indoors, but don’t forget to top-up with sunscreen with at least SPF of 30 if you step out in the bright sun.
  • Buy a sunscreen with lotion base rather than gel or cream.
  • Look on the label for word like “Non- comedogenic”, especially if your skin is acne prone.
  • If sunscreen makes you look greasy and dark, dab face powder for around 15 minutes after applying sunscreen to achieve matt and fresh look.
  • Wherever and whenever possible, cover your face with a cloth that is thick enough to block UV rays. Make sure you cannot see the sun through this fabric.
  • If your skin is prone to acne or sensitivity, Restrict the use of sunscreen to the times when you cannot cover your face. Also consider other methods of sun protection, as discussed in this article.
  • Check out this list of sunscreen recommended for combination skin by Dermatocare.

NIGHT REGIME

Step and step 2 are same as above

STEP 3- NIGHT MOISTURISER

  • For combination skin, lotion based moisturisers are best.
  • If your skin gets oily during humid weather, switch to serum.
  • If the lotion is not moisturising enough in winters, shift to cream-based formula.

Checkout this list of night moisturisers that are best suited for combination skin.

WEEKLY REGIME

Once or twice a week you can scrub your face followed a by a face pack:

STEP 1- SCRUB

As you grow old, dead cells are retained on the surface of skin imparting a dull and patchy look to your skin, and exfoliation of these dead cells might revert the even-toned look. There are two methods of exfoliation:

  • Scrubbing done at home: Scrubbing removes dead skin cells physically and should be done gently. Avoid scrubbing if your skin is overdry, red, itching, burning or breaking out. Here are the key points to consider while choosing your scrub:
    • Use the mild scrubs that are meant for daily use because your skin type might not tolerate regular scrubs.
    • Look for words like “Mild/Gentle” on the label.
    • Check the ingredients that are used for scrubbing: Prefer soft micro-beads over abrasive apricot or pumice or jojoba beads.
    • Do not over spend on skin lightening ingredient, it is unlikely to contribute. However, scrubbing in itself can help in shedding old pigmented skin cells.
    • For further details read, How To Scrub Your Dead Skin- Know From Dermatologist
  • Chemical peels done by dermatologist, this method has been detailed in Understand Chemical Peeling- From A Dermatologist

STEP 2- FACE PACK

Face pack is a time-tested method of skin care that has a advantage of providing larger amount of active ingredients on your skin that too for longer durations. Gentle scrubbing followed by face pack constitutes our two-step home facial that can be done once or twice in a week. Face packs whether made at home or from the market, should be chosen carefully; here are a few key points:

  • The base of the face pack: Oats is a apt base for face pack in your skin type while clay or mud-based face packs might be drying and Cocoa/Shea butter or milk based might be oily. Check out this easy DIY face pack recipe for combination skin.
  • The active ingredients depends on the key skin concern:
    • Cucumber, aloe vera, honey, rose water etc for sensitive skin
    • Malathi or licorice, saffron or papaya for pigmented skin
    • Almond, aloe vera, honey or green tea for anti-aging.
    • Honey, neem, tea tree oil or lemon for pimples.

Your Skin and Weather

You might experience drastic changes in your skin with the change in weather:

  • In humid weather, your cheeks might get oily giving you a greasy and shiny look. This is the time when you might get black/white heads and pimples. You might have to shift to skin care regime for oily skin, especially if the skincare regime for combination skin is not controlling the increased oil secretion.
  • In dry weather, your cheeks might feel dry and stretched, thereby giving a patchy and dull look. But your T-zone might still be slightly oily to normal. Your skin might need an extra dose of moisturization as detailed in dry skin care regime.

 

Planning a Holiday?

As practical it is to plan a warm holiday destination in winters and cold ones in summers, as justified it will be for your skin because:

  • Holiday in deserts, hills, and on cold windy beaches, along with lengthy air travels might be challenging especially in winters when your skin is already dry.
  • Holiday to hot and humid areas in summers, might lead to breakout of pimples and sensitivity.

You can skip anti-wrinkle/skin lightening cream, scrubs, face pack etc. to keep the regime simple during holidays. Your major focus should be on sun protection.

 

Your Skin and Age

As skin ages especially post adolescence, oil secretions tend to decrease. Hence, teenage might be the toughest time, when oil secretion is at its peak and so are the pimples. Rarely, pimples and open pores will trouble an individual at a later age.

DISCLAIMER: Kindly note that each one of us has different skin and it can behave differently to the same skin care product or regimes. The skin care products might not suit you or benefit your skin as mentioned and also the advice given throughout the website is not a substitute for medical advice. Dermatocare team is not responsible/liable for any kind of damage arising from following our skin care regimes. For further details read, terms and conditions.

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