Updated Feb 25, 2021 - Originally Posted: Nov 29, 2019
Combination skin is a real thing. Not quite dry, not quite oily; knowing how to care for it isnât always easy. This common but sometimes confusing skin type marries areas of the face that are in oil production overdrive with areas that are dry, forming a patchwork-like texture on the skinâs surface. Â Simply, combination skin is out of balance, so sourcing beauty products to cater to it requires a little vigilance.
Alina Roytberg - co-founder of skincare company, Fresh - laid down the facts on this very skin type. She described the main indicators to include: âan oily T-zone (forehead, down the nose to the chin) with dry cheeks, or skin thatâs [generally] oilier in summer and drier in winter.â If you ever wondered how your skin came to be this way, Roytberg will tell you that genetics plays a leading role, above environmental factors and personal lifestyle. Each step of your skincare regime can be curated to work in favour of both surfaces at play, where harmonising your skinâs hydration levels is key.
FACT: According to Roytberg, normal and dry skin types tend to lean more toward a combination skin type when youâre on your period.``
Your cleanser should serve as the backbone of your regime by manipulating the condition of your skin regardless of what products are placed on top. Choose cleansing products that work with, not against, your multi-faceted skin type; products that replenish and balance your skinâs natural oils. âUsing a good, gentle cleanser twice a day,â Roytberg suggests, âwill help cleanse the skin without over-drying or leaving any residue behind.â
Replacing oil with oil is also an effective way to rebalance moisture levels across the board â I love Frank Bodyâs Anti-Makeup Cleansing Oil. Alternately, opt for a gentle cream solution like Clarinsâ Cleansing Milk containing extracts of soothing yellow gentian. Avoid cleansers that contain high levels of salicylic acid because this additive can further dry out the skin. On the contrary, cleansing balms that boast a thick, buttery consistency may feel a little over the top against areas that are producing generous amounts of sebum as it is.
TIP: âI recommend using a cream cleanser like Freshâs Soy Face Cleanser after an oil-based [one] as a double cleansing ritual⌠to ensure skin is fully cleansed,â Roytberg says.
To provide an even deeper clean to the skin, throw in an exfoliating product once or twice a week. By doing so, youâll relieve the build-up of oil and bacteria, reducing the likelihood of developing acne. Itâs a common misconception that the larger the pores, the more sebum secreted. Roytberg instead says this theory probably works in reverse, in that the secretion of sebum itself can enlarge pores. âIf sebum canât discharge freely, pores can become wider and more clearly visible, and pimples may form.â Regardless of whether you opt for an acidic exfoliant or granular liquid, skin will look and feel more even with the removal of surface-level grime and dead skin cells. LUMAâs Crushed Pearl Facial Polish boasts botanical grape seed oil â an ingredient praised for its nourishing and protective abilities when used on the skin. A toner can also be a great addition to your cleanser routine when the correct product is used. Moisten a cotton pad in your toner of choice and mark out the most oil-prone areas of your face only. Naturally hydrating ingredients, like cucumber in Mario Badescuâs Special Cucumber Lotion, will act as a suitable replacement. Even the oiliest of T-zones can still hide underlying dryness.
Tip: The further up an ingredient is listed on a product, the higher the content level of that ingredient will be. You can ensure youâre getting the most out of key ingredients before buying.
Youâll be misguided in believing a rich cream will act as a cure-all, since your oiliest areas need no such thing. When it comes to moisturiser, a lightweight formula containing hydrating hyaluronic acid should cover all bases (oily or otherwise). Prior to sleep, apply a refreshing gel cream that will sooth the skin and absorb in a flash, like Tarte Cosmetics Rainforest of The Sea Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer or Glow Recipeâs Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer. Come morning, opt for a shine controlling moisturiser like Biodermaâs new SĂŠbium Shine-Control Moisturiser or La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat.
TIP: Combination Skin or not, itâs important to always apply sun protection. Prior to makeup application, apply an SPF. Invisible Zincâs Sheer Defence Facial Moisturiser SPF50 is great for combination skin as it sits incognito under foundation without the greasiness or scent of a traditional sunscreen.
As with moisturiser application, multi-masking is the way to go. Apply residue-removing charcoal, like that in FORMULA 10.0.6âs Take Back Control Oil-Controlling Mud Mask, to oily areas. This charcoal and cacao hybrid is designed to decongest pores and hydrate the skin respectively. Likewise, Freshâs Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask can be applied to the T-Zone, while the brandâs hydrating Rose Face Mask be applied along the cheeks. If youâd prefer a sheet mask, The Body Shopâs Seaweed Balance Sheet Mask is an easy one-size-fits-all option that contains refreshing aloe vera your whole face will benefit from.
TIP: If acne is a concern, manage your combination skin first before reaching for acne-targeted solutions. Until then, minimise your use of silicones to allow pores to breathe easily.
Originally posted Nov 29th, 2019. Updated Feb 25, 2021
Story by: Hannah Gay
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Rough, bumpy skin is a pesky and irritating thing to deal with. Not only does it look and feel bad, but getting rid of it is an ongoing challenge. Hereâs 4 tips for tackling bumpy, congested skin once and for all đ
   1. Use the right cleanser for you
 As cleansing is the first step in any skincare routine, itâs important that youâre using the right one for your skin type. If you suffer from congestion then make sure to use a cleanser with ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil to purge your pores of any buildup. This way, any products you use afterwards have a better chance of helping you achieve smoother skin.Â
   2. Exfoliate!
After cleansing, itâs crucial to exfoliate your skin in order to eliminate the dead skin cells that contribute to bumpiness. Use either a physical scrub thatâs gentle on the skin (look for jojoba beads for example) or a chemical exfoliant like lactic acid. Personally, lactic acid has done great things with regards to my skinâs texture, so Iâd recommend trying that. Try using it a couple of times a week at nighttime.Â
  3. Try a face maskÂ
There are many different types of face masks out there (check out my post here) so itâs a good idea to do a bit of research on which one is suitable for you. Clay masks are usually ideal for treating congestion as the clay works to draw out impurities, therefore keeping your pores squeaky clean. Look out for face masks that include charcoal too, to truly banish any hidden grime for good.
  4. Remember to moisturiseÂ
It seems a little ironic to moisturise if youâre worried about clogging your pores further, but actually all skin types need to seal in hydration. This is particularly true if you do decide to use chemical exfoliants and clay masks, as these can be quite drying. So look for a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser thatâs non-comedogenic for soft, supple skin around the clock.Â
When I was teen, I had THE WORST skin. Weâre talking hormonal, cystic acne which left crater-like scars across my cheeks and made me want to try and hide beneath layers of heavy foundation. Thankfully, once I started taking the pill, my skin cleared up and for the last ten years, Iâve been blessed with near perfect skin, the occasional outbreak aside.Â
As a teenager, I have always suffered with acne and have tried so many products to clear out my congested skin. Today I tried out the âpeelingâ or âbladeâ facial as an introductory trial at coco red in New Milton. Now this to me seemed terrifying at first however it does not men cutting out your spots! It does remind me of a razor in the sound and feel but it actually uses ultrasound technologyâŚ
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I remember coming across Quick Fix Facials whilst I was doing a food shop in Tesco a few years ago now and I remember trying their Anti-Blemish Mud Maskand being incredibly impressed by the results but more astonishingly, the price. Quick Fix Facials offer a handful of face masks with different formulas that are tailored to different skinâŚ
