What is Combination Skin? Learn How to Navigate This Fickle Skin Type

Combination skin can be challenging to manage due to its fluctuating oil production and dryness. This can often lead to sensitivity and adverse reactions to topical products. Finding the ideal skincare routine requires careful experimentation to discover the products and ingredients that effectively address your unique needs.

Combination skin is one of the hardest skin types to care for and treat. It presents issues that are not as straightforward to treat as oily, normal, dry or sensitive skin.

“I consider this is one of the most challenging skin types to treat,” says board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Rachel Nazarian, MD., F.A.A.D.

Here’s everything to know about how to identify and manage combination skin as you age.

What is Combination Skin?

Combination skin is complex in the way it presents itself, as symptoms and reactions to topicals can be contradictory and unpredictable.

“This skin type often presents with patch of dryness on their face (usually cheeks or lower face), continues to produce a lot of oil in other areas of their face (typically T-zone) and is sometimes very sensitive and irritated by products that are applied topically,” explains Dr. Nazarian.

It can be hard to find the best products for combination skin since results or reactions may vary among individuals, but there are a few that tend to be beneficial and a few to steer clear of.

“Typically, these people are more frustrated with their skincare routine and find that everything irritates or upsets their skin or makes them break out,” says Dr. Nazarian.

It’s an aspect of combination skin that isn’t really avoidable, so if you’re struggling, speak with a dermatologist for additional help.

Who is most likely to have combination skin?

Combination skin is more prevalent for younger people and people in their twenties or thirties; however, it is possible to have combination skin later in life, says Dr. Nazarian. Another factor can be skin conditions.

“People with eczema, atopic dermatitis

[or]

on medication that can increase risk of oil production are at greater risk,” explains Dr. Nazarian. Lastly, your skincare habits on a daily or regular basis also may trigger combination skin symptoms.

“Those who use a lot of products to exfoliate and improve texture, or even people who cleanse their skin aggressively, can find themselves in a position where they have combination skin and have created various skin issues on various geographic locations of their face,” warns Dr. Nazarian.

Whether you have combination skin or are hoping to avoid it, be gentle when using products, especially exfoliants or topicals, which are often rough in texture.

How to treat combination skin

A skincare routine with products targeted to combination skin is key.

“Err on the side of caution (when in doubt use gentler ingredients), and keep the skin barrier intact (nothing that degrades or exfoliates),” advises Dr. Nazarian. This is a good first step to improve combination skin type and help prevent future symptoms.

Another tip is to keep a good skin balance by combining ingredients for maximum absorption and benefits. Be wary of frequency, particularly with products that can irritate skin if used too often. Always check labels on skincare products, too. A label should state being formulated for combination skin, or labeled as “all skin types,” which includes combination skin type.

Pairing a hydrating element with products causing dryness can be helpful. For example, Dr. Nazarian suggests, “If you’re going to add in a retinol for antiaging, there needs to be a hydrating product to off-set the dryness.” Hyaluronic acid would be a great choice and is found in various products, such as serums, face cleansers and moisturizers. Dr. Nazarian suggests using topicals that are oil-free and lightweight, too.

Ingredients to use and avoid

Certain products and ingredients tend to be better and worse to use for combination skin type.

“Antioxidants that are naturally anti-inflammatory (like vitamins E and C, niacinamide and panthenol) and calming ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or ceramides, can be used liberally,” explains Dr. Nazarian. These ingredients boost skin health and appearance and build tolerance to environmental toxins or factors. A few other ingredients help improve skin tone and overall balance, especially paired together.

“I like vitamin C and E together as they enhance each other and make [overall skin benefits] more potent,” says Dr. Nazarian. Another tip is to use hyaluronic acid and glycerin together, notes Dr. Nazarian, since it boosts efficiency, locking in moisture and hydration, to seal into skin.

“Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and those that can improve moisture and strengthen the skin barrier without weighing down or occluding pores are the key to success,” says Dr. Nazarian. Generally, it’s best to avoid oil-based products, which can exacerbate acne as well as comedogenic products, which can block pores. And, products heavy in texture or with high oil concentration can also worsen combination skin symptoms.

Best products for combination skin

A daily face cream or moisturizer, such as a lightweight face cream for combination skin, offers a good combination of ingredients to improve skin health and appearance. “It addresses the shine that many combination skin types are concerned with, often around the T-zone—with the ingredient arrowroot powder—and then also addresses areas of dry skin with a combination of skin conditioning ingredients, such as triglycerides, shea butter and glycerin,” says Dr. Nazarian.

However, this may not be best for people with combination and acne-prone skin since it has added oils and waxes, which can lead to breakouts. If you have acne-prone combination skin, this moisturizer is an excellent option instead.

“It’s similar but better for acne-prone/combination skin, and not as great for sensitive/combination skin,” says Dr. Nazarian. It’s also hydrating with both hyaluronic acid and tocopherol.

Serums and toners with vitamin C are helpful for combination skin, with this toner as a good example for brightening skin tone.

“I like these ingredients as a morning regimen; the vitamin C and fruit extracts offer protection against free-radical damage from environmental sources that often cause premature aging,” says Dr. Nazarian. You can incorporate vitamin C in a day moisturizer, too.Serums with hyaluronic acid are also beneficial, and this hydrating serum is a great option.

“I love that it’s oil-free and combines hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid with panthenol and has skin strengthening allantoin,” Dr. Nazarian says. The added fragrance may be an issue for those with sensitive skin, so be mindful of that, but overall, it’s an excellent product.