Skincare Routine for Combination Skin
- Kavya Goswami
- Nov 6
- 7 min read
If you feel oilier in certain parts of your face or feel your skin is too sticky, not throughout the year but in certain seasons like summer and rainy. Also, your skin feels dry and a little bit flaky, especially in the cheek area, then my dear friends, you have got combination skin.
It is challenging while picking right skincare active of skincare products for combination skin because there are some skincare actives like Salicylic Acid, you might want to use on skin for controlling oil and treating blackheads and whiteheads but over using it or using it everyday can make your drier which usually doesn't happen with oily skin type, or using a very thick moisturizer might block you pores and cause comedones which usually doesn't happen to dry skin. So, having a balanced skincare routine is crucial for people with combination skin.
What is Combination Skin?
Combination Skin is a very common skin type where your skin feels oily and dry at the same time. It's usually like some parts of your face may feel oilier and some might feel drier.
To find out if you have combination skin, after washing your face, wait for about 1 hour, and you will notice that your T-zone, that is, nose and forehead area, looks more shiny or greasy. Comparatively, your cheeks feel dry and tight. People with combination skin usually do not have too large open pores; they have blackheads and whiteheads in the forehead and nose area.
So, basically, your skin changes with changing weather conditions and also according to the amount of skin care products you are using.
Top Skincare Actives for Combination Skin
People with combination skin can use most ingredients but you have to see how your skin reacts to it.
Best skin care actives that people with combination skin type can use are:
Niacinamide
It helps to balance oil production in T-zone
Strengthens skin barrier
Stick to 2-5% Niacinamide concentration, not higher than that
Salicylic Acid
Removes excess oil
Unclogs pores
Prevent blackheads and breakouts
Use a 0.5% Salicylic Acid concentration, as 2% can be over-drying for combination skin, or you can use it only in oily zones of the face.
Lactic Acid
Mild exfoliant, removes dead skin cells without drying out your skin
Smooths out the skin surface
Use 5-7% Lactic Acid concentration
Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5)
Soothes and hydrates the dry, irritated skin barrier
Zinc PCA
Anti-acne skincare ingredient
Regulates sebum production
Anti-bacterial active
Ceramides
Barrier repair skincare active, helps to make skin smoother
Use a lightweight ceramide moisturizer for combination skin, especially during summer season and humid weather
Prevents dehydration of skin
Green Tea Extract and Centella Asiatica
These are both anti-inflammatory skincare ingredients, hence help to calm skin redness and the chances of skin breaking out.
In case of dark spots, use skincare actives like Azelaic Acid, Alpha Arbutin, Kojic Acid, and Vitamin C.
AM & PM Skincare Routine for Combination Skin
In case of combination skin, the best way to have a skincare routine is to see how your skin feels in particular weather or season. If your skin feels oily to often and it's breaking out slightly, incorporate skincare actives like Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Green Tea Extract, and Zinc PCA in your skin care routine.
If your skin feels drier, like in the winter season, use skincare actives like Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Glycerin, Ceramide, Centella Asiatica, and Panthenol in your morning and evening skincare routine.
All steps of your skincare routine can be designed as per this, meaning using cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers with these types of ingredients.
SUNSCREEN is always a staple, no matter what your skin type is. If your skin feels oilier, go with lightweight-gel sunscreens rather than heavy ones.
Best Skincare Products for Combination Skin in India
Cleansers
Minimalist 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser is a good option to use, usually on alternate days, for combination skin, as it contains 2% salicylic acid, which can be too drying for combination skin. So, it is better to use it on alternate days.
Surfactants:
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Coco-glucoside
Skincare Actives:
Salicylic Acid
Betaine (skin protectant)
Avena Sativa Extract (Oat extract)
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA)
Panthenol
Allantoin (skin soothing)
Zinc PCA (anti-acne)
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser contains about 0.5% Salicylic Acid, which is the apt amount for washing Combination Skin. This can be used regularly. Watch how your skin responds to it and use it accordingly, alternate days or regularly.
Surfactants:
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Skincare actives:
Niacinamide
Gluconolactone (PHA)
Glycerin
Ceramides
Salicylic Acid
Simple Refreshing Facial Wash is a good hydrating face wash, which is suitable for almost every skin type.
Skincare Actives:
Gentle Cleansers
Panthenol
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming Cleanser is a good cleanser for sensitive skin. So, if you have combination skin that is also sensitive, you can consider using this face wash. If I compare this foaming cleanser with other foaming cleansers, this is much better and more preferable because it doesn't dry your skin out.
Surfactants:
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Lauryl Glucoside
Sodium Isethionate
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Caprylyl Glycol
Minimalist Aquaporin Booster Cleanser is a good cleanser for combination skin in any season; it doesn't make your skin feel too oily or dry. It maintains a perfect balance in the skin.
Surfactants:
Glyceryl Glucoside
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Coco-Glucoside
Glyceryl Oleate
Skincare Actives:
Panthenol
Glycerin
Sodium PCA
Betaine
Allantoin
Oats Extract
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Toners
Minimalist 3% Polyhydroxy Acid Face Toner is a good toner to consider, especially if you are new to the skincare game and are afraid of using other famous AHAs like Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Mandelic Acid. Then, this is a newer generation AHA; it is ideal for sensitive skin.
Skincare Actives:
Gluconolactone
Niacinamide
Inulin
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract
Salicylic Acid
Allantoin
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Panthenol
Plum 3% Niacinamide Toner is a very hydrating toner, and I have been using for almost a year now, and it suits both oily and combination skin types.
Skincare Actives:
Niacinamide
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract
Rice Ferment Filtrate (Sake)
Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Water
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Toner is the best antioxidant toner by Korean Beauty. This is an anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing toner, and I would totally recommend this skincare product for combination skin.
Skincare Actives:
Panax Ginseng Root Water
Glycerin
Panthenol
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Allantoin
Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract
Theobroma Cacao(Cocoa) Extract
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Panax Ginseng Berry Extract
Lactobacillus/Panax Ginseng Root Extract Ferment Filtrate
Serums
The Derma Co Tran-Zelaic Pigmentation Corrector Serum is very good, especially for acne and hyperpigmentation, and I have been using this serum for a long time now, but this serum has a slightly sticky feel to it, so it is hard to use in the daytime, mainly during the summer season. But all in all, it is a good serum to use.
The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Serum is another good option for hyperpigmentation that you can use in your daily skincare routine.
Skincare Actives:
Kojic Acid
Niacinamide
Propandiol
Alpha Arbutin
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
Minimalist 2% Alpha Arbutin Serum is a targeted hyperpigmentation serum that is another option for combination skin.
Skincare Actives:
Alpha Arbutin
Lactic Acid
Ferulic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
4-N-Butylresorcinol (it is also a tyrosinase inhibiting active, and also helps in amplifying the effect of ingredients like alpha arbutin)
Hyphen Golden Hour Glow Serum is a vitamin C-rich serum, so if you have any form of dark spots or mild pigmentation, you can use this serum.
Skincare Actives:
Aloe Vera
Glycerin
Niacinamide
Terminalia Fermandiana (Kakadu Plum Extract) - Natural form of Ascorbic Acid [can be very irritating]
Hyaluronic Acid
Alpha Arbutin
Peptide
Deconstruct Clearing Serum is a good serum for combination skin if you want to treat any form of hyperpigmentation in skin. It has appropriate concentration of Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) and Aplha Arbutin in it.
Skincare Actives:
Niacinamide
Alpha Arbutin
Dictyopteris Membranance
Glycerin
Moisturizers
The Formula RX Barrier Relief is a new skincare brand in the Indian market. This lightweight moisturizer suits oily, acne-prone, and combination skin types.
Skincare Actives:
Glycerin
Niacinamide
Linoleic Acid (helps in skin barrier repair)
Colloidal Oatmeal
Sodium Hyaluronate
Panthenol
Allantoin
Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, and Ceramide EOP
Phytosphingosine
Cholesterol
Conscious Chemist Azicalm Gel Cream is a good 10% Azelaic Acid serum for treating acne and inflammation, azelaic acid does act slowly on skin but it is a promising acne treatment.
Skincare Active:
Azelaic Acid
Plum Green Tea Moisturizer is a good moisturizer for oily skin type as it contains skin hydrating and anti-inflammatory agents like green tea extract, which works wonders for people with oily skin by relaxing their inflamed, acne-prone skin.
Skincare Actives:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Betaine
Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract (form of Salicylic Acid)
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
Terminalia Ferdinandiana (natural form of Vitamin C)
Glycerin
The Derma Co 4% Ceramide Barrier Repair Moisturizer is the moisturizer I have been using since last year. It suits my oily skin and doesn't clog pores. After using it overnight, it makes my skin butter-soft the next day.
Skincare Actives:
Ceramide 1, 2, 3, 4, and AP
Niacinamide
Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract (Moisturizer)
Dimethicone
COSIQ CPM 2% Moisturizer is a product and skincare brand I discovered recently. This brand has some good skincare products that I am surely going to recommend in the future. This is a good barrier repair moisturizer, especially in winter, to support the skin barrier and keep it soft and plump.
Skincare Actives:
Aloe Vera Leaf Extract
Glycerin
Peptides [Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1]
Ceramide EOP, NS, NP, AS, AP
Let's simplify your skincare routine with La Peau, learn all about combination skin and what are top skincare actives are you can use to treat and repair your skin and protect it from environmental damage.
No more complicated skincare steps, just simple skincare products to repair your skin step-by-step.
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