What is combination skin?
Combination skin is characterized by uneven sebum production in different areas of the face. The skin is often shinier and has more visible pores in the T-zone – forehead, nose and chin – while the cheeks may be normal, dry or more sensitive.
It can be tempting to use harsh cleansers to reduce shine and excess sebum. But combination skin also needs a strong, well-functioning skin barrier. Over-cleansing or not moisturizing enough can leave skin tight and irritated, while oily areas can still feel shiny.
How to build a skincare routine for combination skin
Amanda
Founder & skin expert at RÅ
Step 1: Pure Lipid Cleanser
Start with an oil-based cleanser that dissolves sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum without stripping the skin. Massage the cleansing oil into dry skin, add a little water, and gently remove with a soft cloth.
Step 2: Pore Clarifying Cleanser
Follow with a gentle deep cleanser that cleanses pores and removes excess sebum without drying out the skin. If you have areas that are drier or more sensitive, you can concentrate this cleanser on the T-zone or use it a few nights a week as needed.
Step 3: Serum + cream
Mix serum with cream in your hand before applying the mixture.
How to balance combination skin?
The goal of skin care for combination skin is to balance sebum production without drying out the skin. Choose a gentle but thorough cleanser that removes dirt, sunscreen, and excess sebum while providing the skin with adequate moisture and nourishment.
Lightweight moisturizers are often a good fit for combination skin because they add moisture without feeling heavy. Active ingredients can also help improve skin texture, pores, and uneven skin tone.
A good routine for combination skin should leave the skin feeling clean, soft and balanced – not tight after cleansing or heavy after applying cream.
Some good serum + cream combinations we recommend:
Ultra-light moisturiser: Serum and cream in one product when you like it simple. This contains niacinamide, bakuchiol and zinc combined with hydrating ingredients that provide moisture to combination to oily skin. Suitable when you want something super light that absorbs quickly and mattifies the skin.
Ectoin-light moisturiser + Correcting serum: This combines the super light ectoin cream with a correcting serum that has a slightly heavier consistency. This is a combination that suits many people with combination skin who want light products that absorb well but at the same time provide good care, reducing scars, skin marks, wrinkles and pigment spots.
Ceramide rich moisturiser +Correcting serum: An unbeatable combination for combination skin with pores in the T-zone and slightly drier areas in the cheeks. Perfect for more mature skin. Many people use this combination in the evening or throughout the winter.