Normal to combination skin

For an effective skincare routine, you'll need to prioritize either your dry skin zone or your oily skin zone, or zoning in and applying your cosmetics to just one area of the face.

For moisturizing, opt for light textures

The aim of this skincare routine is not only to eliminate imperfections on oily skin areas, but also and above all to soothe and moisturize dry skin areas, so that irritating active ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol and exfoliating acids can be used all over the face.

How do you treat dry cheeks and shiny T-zone skin at the same time? Finding the right skincare routine for combination skin can be a real headache. However, when you analyze the characteristics and origins of this dual skin condition, it's possible to find the right compromise. When to opt for skincare products for areas of dry skins? when to give priority to care for areas of oily skin? Let's take a look at how to find a skincare routine that restores and rebalances your facial skin.

When it comes to moisturizing, we focus on our oily skin zones, so don't use moisturizers with too rich a texture on your oily areas.
I recommend you use moisturizing lotions or serums all over your face, as your drier areas obviously need moisturizing, but so do your oilier areas. Oily skin that's dehydrated will produce much more sebum to compensate for this dehydration, making any imperfections worse. As for moisturizing creamsWe're staying in the same vein and favoring light textures for the whole face, although we can always add a richer cream or balm for more fragile areas like the cheeks. So I've presented lotions, serums, creams and masks for combination skin, with an emphasis on soothing and moisturizing products.

Characteristics of combination skin

It's important to know that most of us have combination skin, because the face naturally has great variation in the number and location of sebaceous glands. But there's no single skin type For some people, the main problem is imperfections on the T-zone, while for others it's the skin on the cheeks that is too irritated by the application of anti-aging active ingredients.

In fact, combination skin is generally characterized by two problems. A T-zone affected by hyperseborrhea and cheeks suffering from dry skin. The problem is that these two conditions are difficult to treat at the same time, as their physiological needs are at odds with each other.
On the chin, nose and forehead, there is an overproduction of sebum, which can lead to the appearance of blackheads, blackheads and dilated pores, as well as shiny, dull skin.

Two common errors in the T zone

The first is not moisturizing your T-zone enough, or using a cleanser that's too strong, which leads to an imbalance in the hydrolipidic film, an alteration in the bacterial flora and, ultimately, skin dehydration. As a result, your skin will react by producing more sebum, and imperfections will appear.
The other mistake is to use moisturizers that are too rich, because the skin on your cheeks becomes tight, which will also lead to imperfections.

Dry cheeks

On the cheeks, the epidermis is drier, and the sebaceous glands produce less sebum, leading to greater fragility of the keratin and intercellular lipids on your skin's surface. This dryness leads to fine dehydration lines and a lack of radiance.

Of course, there are several SKIN TYPES who may have varying levels of dryness on the cheeks and a more or less oily tendency on the T-zone.

Moisturizers: we prefer light textures.

Moisturizing lotions

Moisturizing serums

Cleansing: Focus on dry skin areas

For cleansing, oily areas need a cleanser that removes sebum and sanitizes any lesions, but dry skin areas require gentle cleansing and make-up removal. My recommendation for this care step is to give priority to dry skin areas.
Avoid cleansers containing salicylic acid or aggressive cleansers, as they will dry out your dry skin areas and, unlike the other steps in your skincare routine, cannot be used for targeted application. It's important to understand that no matter how powerful your cleanser, it won't be able to purify your pores as well as an exfoliant or a retinol treatment.

Targeted exfoliation of the T-zone

When it comes to specific care for oily skin problems, such as enlarged pores or blackheads, it's time to start targeting the T-zone. I recommend applying a salicylic acid-based lotion to problem areas, such as the forehead, nose or even the lower part of the face, which is very sensitive to hormonal variations.

Clay masks

Moisturizing masks

Now we'll have to rethink targeted skincare, especially for the cheek area, which may need a moisturizing balm or mask in the evening.

As you can see, when you have combination skin, you may need to apply a targeted treatment to a specific area, or a treatment to the whole face, giving priority to areas of dry or oily skin. The aim of this skincare routine is to be able to use your specific anti-ageing, anti-acne or anti-hyperpigmentation skincare products all over the face.

Factors influencing the appearance of combination skin

Combination skin can have several causes:

• Genetic factors skin composition can be inherited from our parents.
• Hormones Hormones can also have an impact on our skin, particularly during hormonal changes such as adolescence, pregnancy or menopause.
• Environmental factors A climate that's too dry or too humid can upset our skin's balance, resulting in combination skin.
• Bad eating habits Excessive consumption of sugars, fatty foods and alcohol, as well as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, can affect the appearance of our skin.
• Stress and lack of sleep These can also cause imbalances in our epidermis, contributing to the appearance of combination skin.

The ideal beauty routine for combination skin

Now that you know the basics of good cleansing, it's time to tackle the specific skincare products that will help you feel good about your combination skin:

• Intelligent moisturizing Choose light, non-greasy creams suitable for combination skin. Apply morning and evening to the whole face, paying particular attention to dry areas.
• Regulate excess sebum For this, opt for mattifying serums or lotions to be applied only to the oily areas of your face.
• Exfoliate regularly (but not too often): a weekly scrub will remove dead cells, refine pores and even out skin tone.
• Don't neglect masks Once a week, treat yourself to a moment of relaxation with a detoxifying mask to rebalance your combination skin.
• Protect yourself from the sun Even in the city, UV rays are unforgiving and can accentuate the imbalance of your face. Use a sun cream suited to your skin type, and wear sunglasses when necessary.

The impact of diet on combination skin

Our dietary choices undeniably have an impact on our skin. To help your skin maintain a healthy balance, here are a few nutritional tips:

• Limit your intake of fast sugars and saturated fatswhich promote sebum production and thus the appearance of imperfections on the T-zone.
• Eat fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals They provide essential nutrients to preserve your complexion's radiance.
• Choose foods containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acidswhose anti-inflammatory properties help improve the condition of combination skin.
• Stay well hydrated Let's not forget: drinking enough water every day is crucial to maintaining healthy, beautiful skin.

The final word: personalize your routine

To succeed in the art of pampering your combination skin, don't hesitate to adapt your beauty routine to your specific needs and the changing seasons. Remember that each individual is unique, and it may be necessary to try several products before finding the ones that suit you best. Stay in tune with your skin and offer it what it needs to regain a harmonious balance between dry and oily areas.

My tips for caring for sensitive skin: How to treat sensitive skin

My tips for caring for mature skin: How to treat mature skin