Caring for Combination Skin

What you need to know about combination skin

Although it is among the most common skin types, treating combination skin can often be challenging!

Combination skin occurs when some areas of the face have different oil production and moisture levels than others. Most commonly, the “T-zone,” comprised of the nose, chin and forehead, is oilier and more prone to breakouts than the cheek and eye area, which can be normal or dry. Pores on the nose area can appear enlarged, while patches on the cheeks can be taut and even flaky.

Combination skin care can sometimes seem like walking a tightrope between exacerbating the oily areas and irritating the dry patches. Using products that are too harsh or too emollient can make the situation worse. The key is to create a consistent combination skincare regimen using well-chosen products appropriate for this skin type.

Using a mild, sulfate-free cleanser is an important first step. While it may be tempting to aggressively scrub away oil and blackheads in the T-zone, using a harsh cleanser or scrubbing too much can actually increase oil production in the areas where you want it least, while seriously drying out skin in other parts of the face. Avoid bar soaps, which manage to simultaneously clog pores and exacerbate dryness. Both our Ocean Mineral Cleanser and Vitamin C Cleanser are good choices when caring for combination skin since they gently unclog pores and cleanse deeply without stripping the skin of moisture.

Using a non-alcohol toner twice a day can also help keep combination skin in peak health. The glycolic acid in our Ocean Mineral Toning Mist can help oily areas by penetrating the pores and encouraging skin cell turnover while the amino acids, ocean minerals and plant extracts soothe and heal dry skin.

Proper exfoliation is another step that can yield huge payoffs for combination skin. As with cleansing, exfoliating too harshly can stimulate oil production in the T-zone area. Using our Bamboo Enzyme Facial Scrub twice a week in the shower removes dead skin cells which can cause dullness and allows all of your skincare products to work more effectively.

Vitamin C and Retinol are two skincare ingredients that can address a wide variety of skincare complaints and are well-tolerated by combination skin. Incorporating serums into your skincare regimen can yield visible improvement in a relatively short period of time. Our Vitamin C Serum protects skin from free radical damage and brightens and improves skin tone. Our Pro-Retaxinol 2.5™ Retinol Serum can reduce the appearance of pore size while building collagen and creating luminosity and glow.

Choosing a moisturizer is probably the area where those with combination skin have the most trouble. A moisturizer that is too rich can cause excess shine and oil, yet forgoing moisturizer is never a good option either. A lightweight, easily absorbed moisturizer that is rich in antioxidants is the best choice for combination skin. OZNaturals Sea Infused Moisturizer is a good choice for combination skin types, since it strikes the right balance of protecting skin while delivering a range of active ingredients, such as Vitamin C, that improve skin health.

Creating a skincare routine for combination skin doesn’t have to be an insurmountable challenge. At OZNaturals, we understand this common but complex skin type and have a range of products for combination skin to optimize your skin health. Whether you’re looking for natural toners for combination skin or a combination skin cleanser, we’re sure to have just the right fit to satisfy your needs.