When you can’t figure out if your skin is oily or dry, dealing with combination skin type can be pretty difficult. Some areas of the face are on a mission to produce as much oil as possible, whereas other areas are as dry as the Sahara desert. If this seems like the story of your life, chances are you are dealing with combination skin. What skin care routine for combination skin should be? Read on and discover, how to take care of combination skin

Combination Skin: The Basics 

Identifying a combination skin type is the first step towards dealing with it. Think you might have combination skin? Allow us to make the combination skin meaning clear for you. Look out for these three signs to confirm, then scroll down for the products you should use to care for combination skin.

Combination Skin: What It Is and How to Care for It

3 Signs You Have Combination Skin 

1. Check where your skin shines 

If you wash your face with a gentle cleanser, by mid-day, your skin will either feel dry or oily overall. But if you have combination skin, your T-zone will look shiny, while the other areas of your face will be dry. 

2. Map your acne 

Those with combination skin will get more breakouts on their T-zone than other parts of their face. If you often experience a cluster of acne on your forehead, nose, and chin, you may have a combination skin type and need a special combination skin care routine. 

3. Breakouts and dry patches appear at the same time 

Figuring out how to deal with combination skin can be tricky. If you have dry patches on your cheeks and breakouts on other areas, you definitely have combination skin. Multi-masking is a skincare trend you should adopt ASAP! 

7 Tips on How to Care for Combination Skin 

What things you should do if you have combination skin? Learn the correct order to apply skincare products for combination skin

Combination Skin: What It Is and How to Care for It Ponds

1. Wash your face gently 

Start with picking up the best cleanser for combination skin. To tackle excessive skin shine, use a gentle face wash like the Simple Refreshing Face Wash with Pro-Vit B5 + Vit E. Its nourishing, fragrance-free formula gently removes excess oil and impurities without irritating even sensitive skin, which makes the best face wash for combination skin in winter and summer.

Combination Skin: What It Is and How to Care for It Lakme

2. Try multi-masking 

Multi-masking is a popular skincare technique that involves using multiple masks at the same time to address different skin concerns. For combination skin, this can be a useful way to balance the different areas of your face. To pick the right ingredient for your skin type, it's important to understand the unique needs of each area. The T-zone is often oilier, while your cheeks and forehead can be drier. Consider using a clay mask on the T-zone to control oil production, while applying a hydrating mask to the cheeks and forehead to provide moisture. Look for masks with ingredients like charcoal or clay to detoxify and clear the pores, and use masks with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera to soothe and nourish dry areas. Multi-masking can be a fun and effective way to customise your skincare routine. You can apply a clay mask like the Lakmé Absolute Perfect Radiance Mineral Clay Mask on your T-zone and a rich moisturising and nourishing mask to the rest of your face to tackle both problems at once. 

Combination Skin: What It Is and How to Care for It Lakme

3. Reduce pores with a toner 

Since the skin on your T-zone is oilier, the pores on the nose will be more prominent than on your cheeks. While there is no way to shrink your pores, using your best toner for combination skin, like the Lakmé 9to5 Matte Moist Mattifying Face Toner, will tighten the pores, hydrate your skin and give your T-zone a matte feel instantly.

Combination Skin: What It Is and How to Care for It Lakme

4. Moisturise your skin 

The best moisturiser for combination skin in India should provide lightweight hydration while controlling oil in the T-zone. Look for oil-free, non-comedogenic formulas, like Lakmé 9 To 5 Matte Moist Mattifying Moisturiser with green tea extract. For a serum for combination skin, choose a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that delivers targeted hydration to dry areas without causing breakouts. When selecting a face moisturiser for combination skin, consider a gel or water-based formula that balances the skin's moisture levels without leaving a greasy residue. To moisturise your skin based on your skin type, choose products that address your unique needs, such as oil-control for oily skin or extra hydration for dry skin, and use them consistently as a part of your skincare routine.

Combination Skin: What It Is and How to Care for It Lakme

5. Prime 

When choosing the best primer for combination skin, opt for oil-free, non-greasy formulas that blur pores and mattify the T-zone while adding hydration to dry areas. For example, you can try the Lakmé Absolute Blur Perfect Primer for long lasting, even toned, and flawless makeup base creation.

Combination Skin: What It Is and How to Care for It Lakme

6. Choose the right foundation type 

The best foundation for combination skin should have a lightweight, matte formula that controls oil and provides hydration to dry areas. We suggest you trying the Lakmé 9to5 Wet & Dry Compact, that provides dual foundation like, or matte powder finish.

Combination Skin: What It Is and How to Care for It Lakme

7. Use mattifying sunscreen 

When choosing the best sunscreen for combination skin in India, look for oil-free, non-comedogenic formulas with SPF 30 or higher. Consider lightweight and non-sticky products with broad-spectrum protection, like Lakmé Sun Expert Ultra Matte Gel Sunscreen SPF 50 Pa+++ with matte finish. 

FAQs about Combination Skin: What It Is and How to Care for It 

Q1 Can using different products on different parts of my face aggravate combination skin? 

It's possible that using different products on different parts of your face could exacerbate combination skin, especially if they contain harsh or irritating ingredients. Try to use gentle, non-comedogenic products that balance oil production and hydrate dry areas without causing further irritation. 

Q2 Are there any lifestyle factors that can affect combination skin? 

Yes, lifestyle factors like stress, diet, and hormonal changes can all affect combination skin. Stress and hormonal changes can cause increased oil production, while a diet high in sugar or processed foods can exacerbate inflammation and acne. Eating a balanced diet and practicing stress management techniques can help support healthy skin. 

Q3 How can I choose the right makeup products for combination skin? 

When choosing makeup products for combination skin, look for oil-free, lightweight formulas that won't clog pores or exacerbate oiliness. Avoid heavy creams or oils, and opt for a matte or satin finish foundation to reduce shine. It's also important to cleanse the skin thoroughly at the end of the day to remove all makeup and impurities. 

Now you know what is combination skin, and how to care of it, also check the 5 different types of skin and how to take care of each