Facial Creams

What is Combination Skin?

Dermatologists consider a patient to have combination skin whenever two or more types are present at the same time. Many people have oily skin in some areas and normal skin in others. Others might have normal skin on most of their face, but have dry patches in spots. Rarely people have problems with oil near their noses and mouths, normal skin on their cheeks and necks, and dry spots on their foreheads, for example. So what is a person who has combination skin to do? Is it really necessary to buy a separate product to use on each area of the face according to its skin type? That makes it sound like a morning grooming routine could take half the day. Here are some things you should know if you have combination skin.

· The most common manifestation of combination skin is called “T zone” skin. Most people have too much oil in a T-shaped area across their foreheads, and down the middle of the face around the nose and on the chin. The area outside the T, on the cheeks or neck, can be dry or normal.

· Never neglect your daily cleansing. If you have dry spots in your skin, you may feel like your cleanser only makes it drier and be tempted to skip this vital step. The problem is probably that your cleanser is too harsh for your dry areas. You need to find one that is gentle, but will still do a good job at removing dirt, makeup and environmental pollutions. A product like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser will work well for this and should not make dry spots feel any more parched.

· Use a toner that will tighten pores and help balance out the oily spots. Most toners are meant to be applied with a cotton ball, so you can easily target the oiliest spots on your face. Concentrate on the creases near your nose and any other places where you have particular problems with blackheads or breakouts.

· Use a light moisturizer with sunscreen all over your face. This should be done every day, regardless of the time of the year or the weather outside. If you choose one that is especially made for faces that says it is oil free, it will not clog your pores or increase that oily feeling. If your dry spots tend to get worse in the winter months or after you have been outside, use a heavier moisturizer at night, particularly in those areas.

· Use an oil-free foundation. If you are going to wear makeup, be sure it is labeled oil-free to avoid that shiny look by the middle of the day. Try to go a few days a week without any makeup at all, if possible, to allow your skin to breathe and let it return to its natural balance.

· Check the labels on all the products you use. Many companies make treatments that are especially designed for combination skin, and they will help you treat your whole face well.

Don’t get caught up in the snobbery of the skin care industry. Many products that you can find at your local drugstore are just as effective as those sold by high-end department stores. If you find something that works well for you, stick with it.