Best Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin

If you have dry skin or oily skin, taking care of it is pretty clear-cut. You look for skin care products formulated for your skin type and add them to your skin care routine to keep your complexion looking its best. But combination skin can be a little trickier. Wondering which facial cleanser, moisturizer, or face mask to use on combination skin? Keep reading for everything you need to know about putting together the perfect skin care routine for combination skin.

WHAT IS COMBINATION SKIN?

Before diving headfirst into a skin care routine for combination skin, let’s take a minute to discuss the ins and outs of combination skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, combination skin is often marked by an oily T-zone (your forehead, nose, and chin) and dry cheeks. Since you’re dealing with oily skin and dry skin on different parts of your face, it’s not surprising that you may not be sure where to start when it comes to putting together a skin care routine. To help you out, we’re sharing our best products and tips for combination skin below.

THE BEST SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR COMBINATION SKIN

When it comes to creating a skin care routine for combination skin, keep these five tips in mind.

COMBINATION SKIN CARE TIP #1: CLEANSE WITH MICELLAR WATER

Start off your skin care routine with a no-rinse cleanse using a micellar water. Look for one formulated for all skin types, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types, which intensely purifies. Just saturate a cotton pad with the micellar water and wipe the pad across your face.

COMBINATION SKIN CARE TIP #2: CLEANSE AGAIN WITH A CLAY FACIAL CLEANSER

Once you’re done with micellar water, reach for a rinse-off cleanser to help remove any remaining impurities from the surface of your skin. The use of two cleansers, also known as double cleansing, is a popular K-beauty skin care technique. For your second cleanser, try the L’Oréal Paris Purify & Mattify Pure-Clay Cleanser, which helps remove impurities without over-drying skin. It also leaves skin with a matte finish, which is perfect for your shiny T-zone. Squeeze a small amount of facial cleanser into your hands and add water to transform it from a clay to a mousse consistency. Gently massage the facial cleanser onto your face in circular motions, then rinse off thoroughly and pat dry.

COMBINATION SKIN CARE TIP #3: REACH FOR THE RIGHT MOISTURIZER

When you have combination skin, finding a moisturizer that works for your skin is super-important. The thing is, you might find that instead of using a single product, it makes more sense to use a couple of different moisturizers on different areas of your face. You could use a moisturizer meant for dry skin on your dry spots and one intended for oily skin anywhere you tend to get greasy. Try the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Dry Skin and L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin, both of which are formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration.

COMBINATION SKIN CARE TIP #4: MULTI-MASK WITH A FEW FACE MASKS

Why use one face mask when you could use a few? Just as with moisturizing, it’s a good idea to apply different face masks to different areas of your face depending on your skin’s specific needs. This also just so happens to be a major beauty trend called multi-masking. To give it a try, choose masks from the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay line. Each mask is formulated with three pure clays (kaolin, montmorillonite, and Moroccan lava clay). Apply your face masks of choice to clean, dry skin, leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Face Mask: This face mask is formulated with eucalyptus and provides a soothing, refreshing spa-like experience while removing impurities and unclogging your pores. The mask addresses your shiny and oily skin to reveal a clarified, mattified, and purified complexion without over-drying.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask: This super-charged face mask provides a luxurious experience while the formula containing potent pure clays and charcoal acts like a magnet to clean out your pores and draw-out and capture deep impurities. The creamy, non-drying formula will leave your dull, tired skin looking purified, even, and radiant.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Face Mask: This indulgent and transformative exfoliating face mask is enhanced with red algae extract to exfoliate and refine your skin. The unique formula provides a multi-sensorial experience while smoothing surface imperfections. Rough skin and deeply clogged pores are polished to minimize pores and reveal a smooth complexion.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask: This clay mask formulated with seaweed provides a luxurious experience while helping to comfort stressed skin. The creamy formula gently yet effectively cleanses to address your skin's imperfections and reveal purified, healthier-looking skin.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask: This clay mask addresses your skin concerns for smooth, even, and resurfaced skin. Formulated with yuzu lemon extract, it draws out any build-up of impurities, dirt, and pollution.

COMBINATION SKIN CARE TIP #5: DON’T FORGET TO EXFOLIATE WITH A FACE SCRUB

Another skin care tip for combination skin: Try exfoliating a few times a week. Use a scrub from the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar line, each of which is meant to be used three times per week for best results. Take your pick from the sugar scrubs below:

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Grapeseed Scrub: Formulated with a naturally derived blend of three pure sugars—blonde, brown, and white—and paired with finely ground acai, nutrient-rich monoi oil, and grapeseed oil, this ultra-soft sugar scrub provides deep, yet gentle exfoliation for a baby-soft, glowing finish.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub: This buttery-soft sugar scrub is formulated with three pure sugars, finely crushed cocoa, luxurious coconut oil, and rich cocoa butter to provide deep yet gentle exfoliation. Your face and lips will be suppler, nourished, and softer while your skin will look healthier, more refined, and glowing.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub: This sugar scrub, formulated with three pure sugars and real Kona coffee grounds, instantly energizes tired skin and reduces signs of fatigue. The scrub removes dirt, oil, and impurities while smoothing and energizing tired skin.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Kiwi Scrub: Enhanced with real kiwi seeds, this light, gel-like sugar scrub purifies and unclogs your pores for soft, smooth skin. The buildup of dirt, oil, and impurities is effectively removed while dull skin is gently polished away, leaving your looking tighter and less visible.

Editor’s note: Each of the above scrubs can also be used on your lips to perfect your pout!

COMBINATION SKIN CARE TIP #6: TAKE SUN PROTECTION SERIOUSLY

No matter your skin type, or the time of year, sun protection should remain an essential step in your skin care routine. Apply (and reapply) a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, limit your amount of time in the sun (especially between 10 AM and 2 PM, which are the sun’s peak hours), seek shade, and cover up exposed areas in long pants, long sleeves, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

5 MAKEUP TIPS FOR COMBINATION SKIN

Combination skin may require a slightly different approach to makeup too! Test out these 5 tips when creating your next makeup look:

COMBINATION SKIN MAKEUP TIP #1: Prime your skin

This applies to all skin types: Priming your skin before applying makeup is always a good idea. Using a makeup primer will not only help your makeup last (especially on those extra oily areas), but it can also blur lines, minimize pores, and create a smooth surface for your makeup application. Try using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Makeup Primer for a long-wear matte finish that lasts all day long.

COMBINATION SKIN MAKEUP TIP #2: Use a matte, buildable foundation

Using a buildable foundation gives you total control over where you apply your foundation and how much is applied to different areas of your skin. With combination skin, you don’t want to layer foundation onto drier areas of your skin but you may need to wear a little more foundation on oily areas like your T-zone. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Foundation has a buildable, medium coverage matte formula that’s perfect for those with combination skin. Apply it using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender.

COMBINATION SKIN MAKEUP TIP #3: Focus on your eyes and lips

There may be times where your skin isn’t cooperating when it comes to your face makeup. When you can’t seem to win with the dry and oily areas of your skin, focus on your eye and lip makeup, making those the key areas of your makeup look. A bold red lip can work wonders at hiding all the sins of your face makeup!

COMBINATION SKIN MAKEUP TIP #4: Use a cream blush

Since those with combination skin tend to have dry skin on their cheeks and oily skin in their T-zone, use a blush with a cream formula as a powder may stick to dry patches. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Blush Shaping Sticks for long-lasting, buildable color.

COMBINATION SKIN MAKEUP TIP #5: Don’t skip the highlight

Keeping your dry cheeks in mind, applying highlighter is a must. You may want to avoid highlighting areas such like your nose, so as not to draw attention to any shine, but highlighting your cheeks can add a radiant glow to an otherwise dry area. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Highlighter Shaping Sticks are perfect as the shimmery pigments won’t fade or transfer.

Next: Simple Skin Care Routines for Every Skin Type