Combination Skin: 4 Must-Know Essentials

Are you someone who struggles to find the right skincare products for your routine? If so, you’re not alone! Many people find themselves battling between dry and oily skin, often lost regarding what products to use, and where and how. It’s all a balancing act that can be hard to keep up.

If you’re able to relate, that might be because you have combination skin. 

How is it possible to have dry and oily skin at the same time, you ask? Well, the team at MD Glam is here and ready to share insights into this all-too-common skin type and what you can do to manage it effectively. 

So what is combination skin anyway?

Combination skin is a common skin type that has different zones that exhibit different characteristics. Usually, this looks like dry areas on the cheeks and oily skin on the forehead, nose, and chin. This oily zone is also known as the T-zone because of the shape it takes on your face. 

The results of combination skin that isn’t cared for properly can be frustrating to live with. Excessive oil in your T-zone leaves many to over-cleanse or dry their face out, only to leave their naturally drier cheeks over-dried, sometimes to the point of flaking, redness, or peeling. That leaves people reeling and trying to moisturize, only to make their T-zone feel shiny and greasy all over again. 

It sounds like a vicious cycle, but combination skin is one of the most common skin types. And the good news is that there’s quite a lot you can do to break the cycle and balance your skin comfortably once and for all.

Combination Skin: 4 Must-Know Essentials

Once you understand your skin type, you can dive right in and start treating it the proper way. Here are our 4 essential tips for caring for combination skin. 

#1. Exfoliating works wonders

Exfoliating combination skin can help balance out both oily and dry patches in a single step. Exfoliation is designed to remove dead skin cells as well as unclog pores. For combination skin, it can help remove dry patchy areas with older flaky skin while helping reduce the shine in the oily areas on your face.

Combination skin is also notorious for showcasing larger pores in the T-zone since the oil glands are overactive there. Exfoliating can help reduce the size of large pores while also keeping them clear of the occasional clog(s).  

MD Glam Product Match: Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub – Remove dead cells while rejuvenating your skin.

#2. Moisturizing requires balance

You will not want to skip applying moisturizer just because you have oily skin patches. Under-hydrated skin can produce excess sebum in an attempt to moisturize itself properly. Instead, you can combat this by using a balanced moisturizer that works for skin of all types. 

Look for a product that contains hyaluronic acid, which is great for creating balance without clogging pores or leaving residue that adds to that greasy feeling.

MD Glam Product Match: Timeless Hydrating Set – Quench your skin with balanced solutions for day or night.

#3. Cleansing demands care 

Many people with combination skin are hesitant when it comes to cleansers because they don’t want to dry out the already dry areas on their faces. That’s why you need to choose your cleanser carefully. Look for one that includes vitamins and minerals that can help to hydrate your complexion. This will leave combination skin feeling refreshed and smooth rather than tight or over-dried. 

MD Glam Product Match: Pore Beautifying Set – Cover your cleansing and exfoliation in one key kit. 

#4. Protecting makes an impact

Sunscreen might not be the first thing that comes to mind for working with combination skin. But exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can make matters much worse for skin of all types. Consider that sub-exposure is drying by nature, which can cause dry patches to peel and redden faster or more prominently than normal.

Look for a sunscreen that is lightweight and non-comedogenic, meaning that it won’t clog your pores. This can help keep your combination skin balanced throughout the day while also protecting it from the rays that cause early signs of aging and other damage.

MD Glam Product Match: Sunshout Sunscreen SPF 50 – Protect your skin and combat signs of aging in the process.

Discover Your Skin Type: Take Our Skin Test

Are you not sure whether your skin is truly combination skin? That’s okay! Skin changes over time, and it’s possible that it can evolve into one or another especially as you age. That’s why it’s important to check in with your skin from time to time and make sure you’re giving it the nourishment it craves – and deserves!

At MD Glam, we’re all about creating products that work for every skin type. We’re also about educating our customers and community so you can feel confident in your skin. That’s why we put together our Skin Quiz, a quick assessment that can help you choose the right products and skincare routine just for you. 

Take our Skin Quiz today!

Next Steps for Combination Skin

Taking care of your skin is an evolving process that can be done with comfort and understanding once you’re clear about your skin’s exact needs. To help people with skin of all types, including combination skin, we’ve put together a premier package in our Pore Beautifying Set. This amazing kit comes with both a cleanser and an exfoliant so you can keep your skin clear, clean, and balanced no matter what. 

What’s more? The entire MD Glam product lineup is designed to work well for people with combination skin. Dr. Cat developed solutions that address dryness to oiliness, dullness to redness, and everything in between.