How to take care of my combination skin?

What is a combination skin ?

Combination skin is characterized by a skin imbalance that causes both a lack of moisture on the cheeks and temples and an excess of sebum on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin).

There are different types of combination skin, which makes this type of skin complex to define:

Combination skin with an oily tendency: The oily T-zone with visible pores has pimples and blackheads. It is also prone to mild acne. At the end of the day, the T-zone tends to be shiny despite normal-looking cheeks.

Combination skin with a tendency to dehydration: The T-zone is oily, with visible pores, but does not shine and has few pimples. However, the cheeks are dehydrated.

Combination and sensitive skin have the same symptoms as the previous ones, in addition to a feeling of discomfort due to redness, flaking and tightness. Combination and sensitive skin are the result of frequent use of overly aggressive cosmetics, damaging the natural hydrolipidic film.

How to know if I have a combination skin ?

Take a sheet of blotting paper. Tap it gently on your cheeks.

If the paper absorbs a lot of oil, your cheeks are oily, otherwise they are dry.

If there is a small amount of oil on the paper and not a large amount, your cheeks are normal.

After that, gently pat your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). If there is a lot of oil on the paper, you probably have an oily T-zone.

The 3 basic signs of combination skin are:

Oily T-zone
Dry/normal cheeks
Changes in skin type depending on the weather (winter/summer)

Why do I have a combination skin ?

There are many factors: genetic, hormonal and external. Many women have combination skin between the ages of 20 and 35.

Among the aggravating factors are:

Smoking (which clogs the pores and also tends to disrupt the hormonal balance in favor of androgens).

A diet rich in sugar, saturated fat or industrial products.

Certain contraceptive pills also tend to unbalance the skin, as do certain IUDs.

Pollution and stress.

Cosmetics: oils on the face, thick or rich day cream and more generally all occlusive products, but especially the multiplication of thick cosmetics and the superposition of creams.

Don't worry, combination skin is not for life !

Our skin type changes over time but also over and seasons ! (weather)

The good news is that, generally speaking, the phenomenon of oily skin will diminish in young adults.

From the age of 35 for women and 45 for men, the skin becomes less oily and becomes normal, even dry. After 55 for women and around 60 for men, the skin becomes dry.

Due to the evolution of hormonal secretions, we therefore have, to summarize, a rather dry skin in childhood, oily in adolescence and which will tend to become normal in adulthood.

The right things to do for combination skin

Remove your make-up and cleanse your skin every night to wake up with beautiful skin.

Do masks 2 or 3 times a week, one moisturizing mask on your cheeks and another with purifying properties.

Try to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle with a good diet and a water intake of between 1.5L and 2L per day.

Limit your alcohol and tobacco consumption.

Use noncomedogenic and gentle products

Exfoliate your skin

Moisturize your skin

The bad things you should avoid

Don't use products that are too aggressive for your skin.

Beware of "special oily skin" products that are too strong for combination skin.

Avoid stress, which can disrupt and unbalance your hydrolipidic barrier.

Avoid products with excessive fragrance or other irritants

Cleanser with soap

What are the ingredients to avoid ?

Sulphates: they act as a stripper. The result will be tight skin and increased dryness in the affected areas.

Alcohol: Alcohol destroys the hydrolipidic barrier and can also cause inflammation, especially for sensitive skin.

Perfumes: They are sensitizing agents, whether of synthetic or natural origin, and have a drying effect. Essential oils are considered an alternative to synthetic perfumes, but they can also irritate your skin

Mineral oil: Sensitive skin may develop allergic skin reactions when this oil is applied to the face.

What are the ingredients I should use ?

Vitamin C: antioxidant that helps the skin to fight against pigmentation problems such as acne and dullness.

Hyaluronic Acid: powerful moisturizing molecule

Niacinamide: reduces enlarged pores, evens out the complexion, smoothes out wrinkles and fine lines, strengthens the skin barrier and restores radiance.