What Is Combination Skin?
Finding skincare that works can feel like a puzzle, especially if your skin does not fit neatly into one category. If some areas are oily and others are dry or sensitive, you may have combination skin. Understanding this skin type is essential for building a routine that supports balance, clarity and long-term skin health.
What Does Combination Skin Mean?
Combination skin refers to a skin type where more than one condition appears at the same time. The most common pattern is oiliness in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), paired with dryness or sensitivity on the cheeks and jawline.
Combination skin is very common and can be influenced by:
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes such as menstruation, pregnancy or menopause
- Seasonal shifts like cold weather or humidity
- Skincare that disrupts the skin barrier
“Combination skin often stems from an imbalance in the barrier,” says Dr Anita Sturnham. “One area may be overproducing oil to compensate for dehydration elsewhere. The key is to understand what each area of your skin needs and avoid overcorrecting.”
What Does Combination Skin Look Like?
Visual signs of combination skin can include:
- Shine or congestion around the forehead, nose and chin
- Dryness, redness or tightness on the cheeks
- Patches that feel oily in the morning but dry by evening
- Fluctuations based on stress, climate or hormone levels
Your skin may react differently to the same product in different areas. A rich moisturiser might feel soothing on your cheeks but clog pores around your nose.
Combination skin is dynamic. For example, cold weather often makes dry areas more sensitive, while hot weather can increase oil production in the centre of the face.
How to Know If You Have Combination Skin
Try this simple at-home test:
- Cleanse your face and leave it bare for one hour.
- Observe how it feels and looks.
If your T-zone appears shiny but your cheeks feel dry, dull or tight, you likely have combination skin.
Other common signs include:
- Makeup breaks down unevenly across your face
- Some areas feel sensitive or reactive while others feel congested
- Struggling to find a single product that works across your whole face
How to Treat Combination Skin
Treating combination skin is about balance. Instead of using products designed for only one skin concern, choose gentle, multitasking formulas that hydrate, support the barrier and reduce oil without stripping.
Morning Routine
- Cleanser: A non-stripping gel or cream cleanser, like Light Cleanse
- Antioxidant serum: Protect Elixir with vitamin C, niacinamide and ferulic acid
- Moisturiser: Peptide Emollient Veil to hydrate without heaviness
- SPF: Always protect against UV and environmental stress
Evening Routine
- Cleanser: Deep cleanse with Deep Cleanse to remove SPF and debris
- Serum: Treat Tincture, a gentle retinoid to refine texture
- Moisturiser: Peptide Emollient Veil + to support overnight barrier repair
Weekly Routine
- Exfoliation: Once per week, use Airbrushing Acid to smooth congested areas
- Mask: Follow with Replenishing Paste to restore hydration
Common Mistakes with Combination Skin
Avoid these common errors:
- Using foaming or astringent cleansers that strip the barrier
- Applying one product uniformly across the face without adjusting for each area
- Over-exfoliating or layering too many actives
- Skipping moisturiser in oily zones. Hydration is still essential
Final Thoughts
Combination skin is one of the most common skin types. With the right routine and product selection, it is easy to manage.
Listen to your skin, adjust your routine with the seasons, and focus on formulas that support both hydration and balance.
Explore our skincare for combination skin types to build a balanced, expert-backed routine that works with your skin, not against it.