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Combination skin plays a double game: in some areas it is oily, while in others it is normal at best, or even completely dry. How many creams does such skin need to be happy? And can one do it? Find answers to these questions in our article.
Combination skin signs
The mixed type has the characteristics of both oily and dry skin. How can this be? Very simple. The so-called T-zone (nose, forehead, chin) is characterized by high activity of the sebaceous glands and behaves as it should be for oily skin:
shines, especially in the hot season;
black dots appear on the nose – evidence that too much sebum is secreted and the pores are clogged.
At the same time, the skin on the cheeks clearly lacks moisture:
after washing, a feeling of tightness may appear;
you experience discomfort in artificially heated rooms;
the epidermis reacts to low temperatures and flakes off from frost and wind.
In other words, dryness and dehydration appear in certain areas of the face. The question is, what to do with skin that combines opposites?
If you’re still unsure what type of skin you have, take our quiz.
Need for special care
Since combination skin has a double standard, it should be treated accordingly: mattify and deeply cleanse where oily, and actively moisturize in dry areas. The task is not the easiest, but solvable. The main thing is to pay special attention to both the oily zone and the dry zone at each stage of care.
Combination skin holds a double standard.
Purification
This procedure should be approached especially carefully, because there are fatty areas on the face that can surprise in the form of pimples. It is recommended to wash with a gel or foam. Here is what La Roche-Posay medical expert Alexander Prokofiev says:
“Soap and hot water are absolutely contraindicated, otherwise sebum will be more intensively produced in the T-zone, and the skin on the cheeks will dry out. Apply a sebum-regulating toner to the T-zone, and a moisturizing lotion to the cheeks.
humidification
At this stage, which is mandatory for combination skin, you need a light texture cream or fluid that will be able to moisturize dry areas without clogging the pores of the oily area. It is ideal to use a universal moisturizing serum.
Food
A high-fat nourishing cream is not the best option for combination skin. However, it can be used occasionally (for example, in extreme cold) and only on dry areas of the face. In general, combination skin likes lightweight formulas that contain more water than oils.
Combination skin prefers light textures.
The composition of the cream for combination skin
Since a cream for combination skin should be able to do almost everything at once, the formula includes components of multidirectional action: anti-inflammatory and matting, regenerating, moisturizing and nourishing. The list of main components is below.
plant extracts: aloe vera softens the skin, geranium normalizes sebum production, chamomile has a calming effect.
Essential oils ylang-ylang, tea tree, jasmine, lavender, sage and rosemary help to regulate the secretion of the sebaceous glands and prevent the appearance of inflammatory elements.
Vitamins: E – an antioxidant that promotes cell regeneration and restoration of the hydrolipid mantle, and also retains moisture; C protects against free radicals.
Minerals perlite and silicon absorb excess sebum and matte the skin.
Hyaluronic acid and glycerin – Hydro-retainers that attract and retain moisture.
panthenol restores damaged epidermis.
Allantoin – an antiseptic that accelerates the process of tissue regeneration after damage.
The cream contains plant extracts and essential oils.
Age features of combination skin
Cream selection rules
To please combination skin, you need a product that can work on two fronts: mattifying oily areas and moisturizing dry ones. It can be a cream-gel or fluid, that is, cosmetics with a lightweight texture.
With marking for oily/combination skin
These products have a pronounced matting effect, for which the components that absorb sebum are responsible. Such cosmetics are useful in summer, in conditions of heat and high humidity, which provoke increased production of sebum and oily sheen. Mattifying products are appreciated by the owners of young combination skin, which, due to age, is characterized by increased greasiness in the T-zone.
Avoid medicated creams for oily skin: antiseptics and high concentrations of absorbent powders can lead to overdrying.
Marked for normal/combination skin
Such products moisturize more than mattify, but do not clog pores. It is better to use them in the cold season, when the sebaceous glands behave calmly, and the skin tends to dryness. Light moisturizers are suitable for combination skin after 30 years, when dehydration becomes the main problem, not oiliness.
Combination skin care combines moisturizing and mattifying.
When choosing a cream, focus on the condition of the skin at the moment. If it was not possible to find the ideal, use two means: for the T-zone – matting, with astringent properties; for dry areas – moisturizing and restoring.
Types of creams for combination skin
For any type of skin, it is customary to distinguish between day and night care.
Day
This cream should moisturize and have a long matting effect so that the nose does not shine after a couple of hours. This is the minimum program. Since any day care must provide protection, the presence of antioxidants in the composition is welcome, as well as SPF.
In summer, sun protection is especially needed, and if filters are not included in the formula of your usual product, choose a mattifying cream-gel or fluid from the “sunny” lines.
Night
At night, we do not worry about whether our forehead and nose are shiny, so you can afford a product with a richer texture and richer composition. Our task is to help the skin calm down and recover. Creams and emulsions with a moisturizing, regenerating, soothing effect cope with this. It makes sense to consider the format of the night mask. Usually this category of products is distinguished by its versatility and comfortable texture for all skin types.
Funds overview
Considering the inconstancy of combination skin, which for various reasons tends to be either oily or dry, the division of creams according to the age principle is very conditional. In compiling this review, we took as a basis the characteristic features that distinguish the skin at different periods of life. No one knows your skin better than you – give it what it needs today. Hints are below.
After 20 years
At a young age, the fight against greasy shine and, of course, moisturizing are relevant.
5-in-1 Hyaluronic Aloe Care BB Cream for Combination and Oily Skin, Garnier
Mattifies the skin throughout the day, hides imperfections, evens out tone, moisturizes along the way. Contains mineral pigments that absorb excess sebum that provokes shine, hyaluronic acid and aloe.
Moisturizing matting sebum-regulating emulsion Effaclar Mat, La Roche-Posay
Contains two shine-reducing ingredients: Sebulyse to reduce sebum production and perlite to absorb sebum. The tool serves as an excellent base for make-up.
Facial Aquafluid for Normal to Combination Skin Moisture Genius, L’Oréal Paris
Absorbs into the skin and moisturizes it for 72 hours without leaving a greasy sheen. 2/3 consists of purified water with additives in the form of aloe juice and hyaluronic acid.
After 30 years
Moisturize, protect and restore skin with lightweight products.
Light moisturizer with a mattifying effect Daily Moisture, SkinCeuticals
The composition with plant and seaweed extracts, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid perfectly copes with its mission: to moisturize the skin, keep it matte, and also reduce the visibility of pores.
Soothing moisturizing fluid for hypersensitive and allergy-prone skin Toleriane Dermallergo, La Roche-Posay
The formula, aimed at intensive hydration and increasing the resistance of the epidermis to external factors, is adapted for combination skin, has a light texture and does not provoke blockage of pores.
“Hydration expert” for normal and combination skin, L’Oréal Paris
Moisturizes and at the same time strengthens the protective barrier of the skin, and also protects against the negative influence of external factors. Gives shine.
After 40 years
We still prefer loose textures, but at this age you can afford to think less about skin greasiness and more about protection, nutrition, and maintaining elasticity.
Light cream for normal to oily skin with signs of aging Face Cream, SkinCeuticals
The formula acts in several directions: corrects age-related changes, reduces deep and superficial wrinkles, significantly improves skin firmness and elasticity.
Cream LiftActiv Collagen Specialist, Vichy
Cream with type I and II peptides that promote collagen production, suitable for all skin types, including combination. Those who have tried this cream note that the skin becomes smooth immediately after application.
Anti-aging cream Rénergie Multi-Lift Ultra, SPF 25, Lancôme