Combination skin is characterized by oiliness in some areas of the face and dry skin in others. In combination skin, the T-zone (comprised of the forehead, nose, and chin) tends to be oily while the cheeks are often dry.¹ This skin type has unique needs, and products for combination skin should address excess oil and dry skin without clogging the pores or stripping it of its natural oils.

¹AAD: https://assets.ctfassets.net/1ny4yoiyrqia/mOYWbxwsGBVvvWxAbpviO/13b9acbb6f050da9bf377fb797e89461/Public_Parents-kids_Lesson-plans_Skin-health_11-13_Skin-types_Skin_Types_.pdf

The same factors that play a role in dry skin and oily skin affect those with combination skin. These include genetics, hormones, and environmental conditions. Oily areas of the face and enlarged pores are the result of overactive oil glands, while dry spots need extra hydration to compensate for a lack of natural moisture.

Skincare routines for combination skin help maintain moisture balance. The goals include supplying dry spots with extra moisture while addressing excess oil and preventing clogged pores in the T-zone through targeted products for combination skin.

A gentle cleanser (such as our Soothing Cleanser) is always suitable for, but you may want to have gel- and cream-based cleansing options to choose from depending on whether your skin is feeling more oily or dry—and this can vary from week to week, season to season, or change due to travel.

Virtually all SkinCeuticals targeted serums are suitable products for combination skin, and if you’re not already using a moisturizing serum like Hydrating B5 Gel, you can add this to your routine if your skin is feeling drier than usual without the worry that it will clog pores in oilier areas (or use it on its own when skin is more on the oily side). Those with combination skin can use other serums such as our Phyto Corrective Gel for hydration and reducing visible redness, or Phyto+ as combination skin moisturizer and treatment for uneven skin tone.

Those with combination skin can also adjust their moisturizer to meet their skin’s needs at any given time. A moisturizer like Daily Moisture provides hydration for oily and dry skin while addressing visible pores, although a hydrating serum may be sufficient at times and a richer moisturizer like our Face Cream or Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 may be more suitable as a combination skin moisturizer when the skin is feeling drier.

We also offer several sunscreen options for combination skin. Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50 acts as a skin mattifier and oil-absorbing makeup primer in addition to providing broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection when you want to prioritize oily skin, and any of our other sunscreens offer the same level of UV protection for combination skin.

Combination skin is generally dry in some areas and oily in others. The easiest way to determine if you have combination skin is to cleanse and assess your skin an hour or two afterwards. If you begin to see excess oil and shine around the T-zone, and other parts of the face (especially the cheeks) develop signs of dryness such as flaking or a sensation of tightness, you likely have combination skin.

Hyaluronic acid is a beneficial hydrating ingredient when building skincare routines for combination skin. Skincare professionals often recommend this ingredient as a combination skin moisturizer due to its ability to provide much-needed hydration for dry spots without clogging pores in oilier areas.

Salicylic acid is a beneficial ingredient in skincare routines for combination skin. Its gentle exfoliating effect promotes the shedding of dead skin cells that contribute to clogged pores and breakouts when combined with excess oil in combination skin.