Combination skin means you have two or more skin types on different areas of your face at once. Your skin may be dry or scaly in certain areas of your face, and you may also have an oily T-zone located along the center of your face, nose, chin and forehead. In addition, you may have combination skin if you experience other skin problems such as wrinkles, acne or rosacea on your face at the same time. Treating combination skin can be difficult, but not impossible. To properly treat combination skin, you have to find products that are suitable for the different skin types on your face and products that are not irritating to the skin.
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Method 1 of 3: Using Natural Treatments
Step 1. Use the skincare regimen consistently
The key to combination skin care is a commitment to using a skincare regimen in the morning and evening. This means using the same product once or twice a day for at least a month until the skin gets used to the series of treatments
- Clean your face once or twice a day with a facial cleanser.
- Exfoliate as needed, sometimes just once a week.
- Finish with a moisturizer, once in the morning and once at night.
Step 2. Focus on treating each of the different areas of your face
With this type of skin, you should focus on treating two types of skin. You have to moisturize the dry areas and reduce the excess oil in the oily areas of the face. Often, the oily areas of your face will be the T zone (forehead, nose, above the mouth and chin). Instead of treating your entire face with one product, you should treat specific areas of your face based on your skin type.
For example, if you have acne on your forehead and know that the skin on your forehead tends to be oily, use a spot treatment to treat the oil only on your forehead. If the skin on your cheeks tends to be dry and irritated easily, use a product that moisturizes only that area
Step 3. Use an oil-based cleanser on dry skin
Facial cleansers made from natural oils like coconut and olive oil are ideal for dry to very dry skin. A cleanser like this may only work well on the dry areas of your combination skin. While oil-based cleansers do not damage the skin, they are not recommended for oily skin. You may want to try making a few different oil-based cleaners for a trial period. If you start to experience breakouts or negative reactions, you may want to consider using a professional facial cleanser that contains other ingredients to better treat oily skin. Start with a very simple, pure honey-based cleanser:
- You will need three tablespoons of honey, 120 ml of vegetable glycerine (or vegetable glycerin, available at most health food stores) and two tablespoons of liquid castile soap.
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour the mixture into an empty bottle for ease of use.
- Apply a small amount on your face and neck. Use your fingers to massage the cleanser on your face for 30 seconds to 1 minute. This step will help remove any dirt or dust on the surface of your skin. After cleaning, rinse your face with warm water and pat dry with a towel.
- You can also try an oil-based cleanser using coconut or olive oil and a warm washcloth. Look for coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil to make sure you are using the purest natural products for your face.
- Use your fingertips to massage the oil on your face for 30 seconds. Then wet a washcloth in warm water and press the warm towel against your face. Leave the oil on for 15 to 30 seconds on your face then use a cloth to gently wipe off the oil. Don't rub your face, just wipe off any excess oil.
Step 4. Make a natural exfoliant
You can exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells after cleansing your face, especially if there are dry and clogged areas on your face. Exfoliating will also prevent clogged pores and dull looking skin. Start exfoliating with a homemade scrub once or twice a week.
- Exfoliating is not recommended for people with sensitive skin. Use it sparingly. To test it, try on a small spot on the skin. If the scrub doesn't hurt or irritate your skin, you can use it all over your face.
- Most homemade scrubs use brown sugar as a base, as brown sugar is considered gentler on the skin than granulated sugar. You can also use natural oils like patchouli, tea tree, and lavender to give your skin a healthy glow.
- For sensitive skin, make a mixture of 180 grams of brown sugar, 90 grams of ground oatmeal and 170 grams of honey. Rub it on your face for 30 seconds to a minute to remove dead skin cells and give your skin a gentle scrub.
- Make an exfoliant for oily skin by combining a tablespoon of sea salt, a tablespoon of honey and a few drops of patchouli oil. Wet facial skin then apply the exfoliant with your fingers. Massage the mixture on your face for 30 seconds to a minute then rinse with warm water.
- Make an exfoliating scrub by combining two tablespoons of brown sugar, one tablespoon of finely ground coffee and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Add a tablespoon of honey for added benefits. Apply the scrub on your face for 30 seconds to a minute then rinse with warm water.
Step 5. Apply a natural spot treatment
To remove blemishes in the T zone area and prevent new pimples from appearing in this area, try using a spot treatment. This treatment will allow you to target acne-prone areas and avoid irritating the rest of your face. There are several natural spot treatments, including:
- Baking soda: this inexpensive and effective spot treatment is easy to make. The baking soda will reduce the inflammation from the pimple and help prevent future breakouts. Baking soda is also a great exfoliant and will remove dead skin cells that can build up on the surface of your skin. Take a few teaspoons of baking soda and mix it with warm water to make a thick paste. Place the paste on dry areas of your skin or directly on blemishes on your face. For the first few times of use, leave the paste on the skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Extend the application time to an hour or overnight as your skin gets used to this natural treatment.
- Diluted tea tree oil: This essential oil is antibacterial and is a very strong remedy for acne. But tea tree oil should be diluted because it can actually cause more damage to the skin if applied directly to the stain. Make a natural spot treatment of tea tree oil by mixing five to ten drops of tea tree oil with 60 ml of water in a bowl. Use a cotton ball to apply the remedy on acne-prone or blotchy areas of the skin. You can leave the concoction under foundation and reapply during the day.
- Lemon juice: This spot treatment ingredient is based on the antibacterial and astringent properties of lemon juice. Use fresh lemon juice or bottled lemon juice from the grocery store. Put three teaspoons of lemon juice in a bowl and use a cotton ball to apply it on the areas that are prone to breakouts or blemishes. Leave it on for 15 minutes to an hour to let the lemon juice absorb into your skin.
- Aloe Vera: If you have an aloe vera plant, take advantage of its calming properties and cut a leaf off. Squeeze water from the leaves over areas prone to acne or blemishes several times a day. You can also buy natural aloe vera gel at your local health grocery store. Look for aloe vera products that contain little or no added ingredients.
Step 6. Use an organic face mask
Use a face mask once a week to refresh and soothe the skin. Many organic and natural face masks from a combination of fruits and oils are very good for the face.
- Put one banana, half a papaya, two carrots, and 340 grams of honey into a blender. Blend all the ingredients together to form a thick paste. Apply this paste on the face for 20 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
- Make a lemon yogurt face mask by combining one tablespoon of natural yogurt, one teaspoon of lemon juice and two drops of lemon essential oil. Apply the mask on the face for 10 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
Method 2 of 3: Using Professional Products
Step 1. Use a series of facial treatments consistently
Committing to a series of facials in the morning and evening will help your skin get used to certain products and ensure that your combination skin looks healthy and blemish-free.
- Clean the skin twice a day (morning and night) with a facial cleanser to remove dirt from the surface of your skin.
- Apply an oil-based moisturizer on dry areas to prevent dry skin.
- If you're trying to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, apply a skin-tightening mask or cream at night before going to bed.
Step 2. Treat each skin type separately
Instead of applying one product all over your face, focus on targeting the different skin types on your face. You need to treat dry areas separately from oily or acne-prone areas.
Step 3. Use an exfoliating cleanser
Look for a gel cleanser or a foaming soap to prevent dryness and inflammation. Avoid cleansers that contain irritants or fragrances and always massage the cleanser gently into the skin in small circular motions. Clean your face every morning and evening for at least 30 seconds to a minute.
- Exfoliating is not recommended for people with sensitive skin. Use exfoliants only occasionally. To test it, try it on a small area of skin. If it doesn't hurt or irritate your skin, you can use it all over your face.
- Facial cleansing lotion is great for people with dry skin and suffering from rosacea. Stay away from bar soaps or facial cleansers as they can clog pores and dry out or irritate the skin. Look for products labeled "gentle" and "for sensitive skin."
Step 4. Consider using toner
Look for a toner that doesn't contain irritating ingredients such as alcohol, witch hazel, menthol, natural or artificial fragrances, or citrus-based oils. A good toner is water based and contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that will help your skin repair itself.
- A good list of antioxidants in toners can be found here.
- Using a cleanser or toner that contains a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) such as salicylic acid or an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) such as glycolic acid can help reveal healthy skin hidden beneath acne-prone skin. Look for products that contain these ingredients in gel or liquid form for oily or combination skin.
Step 5. Moisturize your skin with an oil-based product
Choose a moisturizer based on plant oils to prevent dry skin. Your skin is made up of oil so to balance the oil production you have to apply a high quality oil on your skin. If you have sensitive or oily skin, use oil-free or non-comedogenic (non-comedogenic) products.
Step 6. Use a spot treatment for each skin type on your face
Diligently treat each skin type separately. It may all seem too much to remember and too many products to work with. But in the end, your combination skin will thank you for paying attention to the needs of the different skin types on your face.
- Use moisturizing lotion or cream on dry areas of the skin. Use a non-comedogenic moisturizing lotion or cream on the oily areas of the skin.
- Moisturize dry areas of your face before applying foundation or makeup to your entire face. This will prevent the formation of dry patches of skin.
- Apply the spot treatment to blemishes or acne scars and avoid applying it all over your face.
Step 7. Try a natural mineral based foundation
After you cleanse, exfoliate, apply toner and moisturizer on your face, you don't want to clog your pores with make-up. Using a natural foundation will keep your skin hydrated and prevent oil build-up in the T zone. Look for a foundation that says it's intended for combination skin.
- Don't sleep with makeup on.
- If possible, choose a foundation that also contains sunscreen or SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.
Step 8. Use sunscreen every day
If you're not ready to use a foundation that contains SPF, you should wear sunscreen every day of the year to protect your skin from the signs of aging. Wrinkles, dark spots and discoloration can be prevented by using a light sunscreen with SPF 30.
Use a sunscreen that contains active ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc dioxide for sensitive skin or suffering from rosacea
Method 3 of 3: Consult a Dermatologist (Dermatologist)
Step 1. Get a referral to a dermatologist or dermatologist
Ask for a referral to a combination skin care specialist from a general practitioner. Find out the background, expertise and fees of each doctor and then make an appointment for the first consultation to see if the doctor is right for you.
- Ask about the different treatment options for acne: topical ointments, oral antibiotics, chemical peels, and light and laser treatments are just a few examples.
- Ask your dermatologist for recommendations on cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliants, toners and sunscreens.
- You can also ask friends or family for a doctor's recommendation. Check how long they have been using the dermatologist's services, how they think the staff's service to patients at the practice is, and how easy they think the doctor is to provide information about procedures or treatments for combination skin problems.
Step 2. Ask about topical treatments
If over-the-counter products don't help treat acne, a dermatologist can prescribe a topical treatment to treat it. There are three main types of topical treatments:
- Retinoids: These medications can be lotions, gels, or creams. Your dermatologist will likely instruct you to apply the treatment at night, three times a week, then daily as your skin gets used to the medication. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and seal your hair follicles thereby stopping oil buildup and acne breakouts.
- Antibiotics: Your dermatologist will likely prescribe a retinoid and an antibiotic (applied to the skin or taken by mouth) for the first few months of your treatment. You will take antibiotics in the morning and retinoids in the evening. Antibiotics work by eliminating excess skin bacteria and reducing inflammation on your skin. These medications are often combined with benzoyl peroxide to help prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics.
- Dapsone (Aczone): This medication comes in a gel form and is often prescribed with a topical retinoid. If you take this medication, you may experience side effects such as dry or red skin.
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about a chemical peel or microdermabrasion
To perform a chemical peel, a dermatologist will apply a solution such as salicylic acid to the skin for repeated treatments. You may be advised to combine a chemical peel with other acne treatments.
- However, you should not use retinoids that are taken when doing chemical peel treatments. Using these two remedies together can cause skin irritation.
- Possible side effects of a chemical peel include red, blistered, scaly skin, and severe permanent discoloration. However, these side effects are rare if a chemical peel is performed by a trained doctor or beautician.
