Combination Skin
There is so much confusion about the meaning of combination skin. This is because combination skin is not a true skin type. People can mean many different things when they say combination skin. For this reason, it is important to define combination skin type.
What is combination skin
What is combination skin?
Are you confused about the meaning of the term combination skin? That is because combination skin is not a real skin type. Combination skin was first described by Helena Rubenstein and is a term used by non-dermatologists to describe one of two situations:
1. Changing Skin Type
2. Oiliness in the T-Zone
2 Types of Combination Skin:
1. Combination Skin: Changing Skin Type
In this combination skin type, the skin is dry in low humidity and cold environments and oily in hot humid environments.
In this situation- the Baumann Skin Type changes seasonally – dry skin type in the winter and oily skin type in the summer.
2. Combination Skin: T-Zone Oiliness Type
In this combination skin type, the skin feels oily in the T-zone and and dry on your cheeks. This skin type should not use a heavy moisturizer. Instead choose a light moisturizer for oily skin types.
Why do your cheeks feel dry when your t- zone is oily?
Everyone’s face has more oil glands in the T- zone than on the sides of the face. If you have a normal amount or an increased amount of sebum production you can feel oily in the mid face. The areas that do not have oil glands may have an impaired skin barrier if you feel dry. The sebum can compensate for the impaired barrier in the t-zone area by providing occlusion, but the cheek area that is lacking in sebum experiences increased water evaporation from the impaired barrier. This is why you still need a moisturizer when your t-zone is oily but other areas are dry.
Oily vs Dry skin
Normal Oily Baumann Skin Type vs Dry Baumann Skin Type
When the t-zone sebaceous glands make enough oil to coat the skin and repair the skin barrier- the skin is categorized as a Normal Oily Baumann Skin Type.
When the oil glands in the t- zone do not make enough oil to coat the cheeks- this is considered a Dry Baumann Skin Type.
So- if you have an oily t- zone- do not assume you are a combination or oily skin type. You might still have dry skin and an oily t- zone.
It all has to do with the status of your skin barrier.
Confusing- I know!
You do not need to worry about the definition of combination skin or if you have oily combination skin or dry combination skin because our skin type test will correctly identify your skin type.
Our skin type quiz will assign you to an oily or dry skin type so that you will get the best skin care recommendations for your skin.
Take the Quiz
What is Combination Skin?
As you saw above, there are two main combination skin types. I am going to explain these combination skin types again in a different way to see if it makes more sense to you.
The definitions of these skin types are based on 2 measurable parameters:
Sebum secretion
Skin barrier integrity
Your sebum secretion rates and skin barrier strength can change seasonally. This leads to a changing skin type. The T-zone area can make an increased amount of sebum compared to your cheeks. If your skin barrier is impaired, the cheeks can feel dry while the t-zone feels oily. But in this situation, a heavy barrier repair moisturizer is too greasy for your t-zone so you need to choose a moisturizer for oily skin.
To reiterate- here are the 2 types of combination skin:
1. Skin Types that change from a dry skin type in dry climates to an oily skin type in humid climates
In the Baumann Skin typing System- this type of combination skin is considered a dry skin type in the winter and an oily skin type in the summer. This is also referred to as a Changing Skin Type.
oily skin in summer, dry skin in winter
2. Skin types that have an oily T zone and dry cheeks.
In the Baumann Skin Typing System- this may be called a dry skin type or a normal oily skin type.
Dry skin types have an oily t zone but the t- zone area does not make enough oil to compensate for an impaired skin barrier. Dry skin types, even those with an oily T- zone, need a barrier repair moisturizer.
Normal oily skin types make just enough oil in the t- zone to help hydrate skin. Normal oily skin types do well with a light moisturizer.
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Products For Combination Skin
The best products for combination skin types depend upon which combination skin type you have. The definition of combination skin is based on the skin’s ability to make oil (sebum) and the skin hydration level that is determined by the skin’s ability to hold onto water. There are other factors to considering when choosing a skincare routine for combination skin such as:
Is the skin sensitive?
Is the skin tone even?
Do I have risk factors for skin aging that need to be addressed?
Each of these skin concerns needs to be addressed in a combination skincare routine. In general, products for combination skin are adequate for every skin type but not awesome for any skin type. In other words, it is better to have skincare products designed for your Baumann Skin Type than for the vague undefined category of combination skin because the term “Combination skin” is not a specific scientific term.
best moisturizers for combination skin
Products for the Changing Combination Skin Type
If you have a changing combination skin type, use a skincare routine for dry skin in the winter and oily skin in the summer.
Products for the T-Zone Combination Skin Type
If you have the T-zone combination skin type, take the quiz to determine if you should use skincare products for a dry skin type or an oily skin type.
best products for combination skin
The best way to choose products for combination skin types is to retake the skin type quiz when the season change and update your skincare routine seasonally.
best moisturizer for combination skin
The moisturizer to choose depends upon which type of combination skin you have, what the weather is and what other skin issues you have.
Best Skin Care Products For Combination Skin
Rather than using skincare products for combination skin, instead choose products seasonally.
You will likely require products for dry skin in the winter and oily skin in the summer.
However, don’t waste time and money and risk your skin health by guessing. The skin type quiz was developed to help determine the best skincare routine for your combination skin type.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.