If you have combination skin then you are no stranger to the phrase “T-Zone”. Your skin is probably a constant frustration – having not 1 but 2 skin types (dry and oily) to look after. And so often the products you use help one skin type aggravates the other!
Your T-Zone is your forehead, nose, chin and area circling the mouth and this area will be oily if you have combination skin, while other parts of your face are dry to normal. Strong cleansers that clear away the oil from your T-zone will also make your dry areas drier. Some moisturisers that help your dry skin just make your oily T-zone worse and cause breakouts.
So what’s a lady (or lad) to do?
Well, you could go out and buy 2 of every product (1 for dry and 1 for oily) and double your beauty routine time. But we don’t want you to need a personal loan for good skincare and drive your partner bananas for taking too long getting ready.
Here are some tips for looking after your combination skin that will start balancing your skin, evening out those dry and oily areas.
1. Pick The Right Cleanser
OK, we’re starting to sound like a broken a record but this is really such a simple thing to do and can have amazing results. The Cloud 9 Deep Cleansing Balm is perfect because it cleanses, balances and moisturises without over-drying. Everything combination skin needs, making it the best cleanser for combination skin.
2. Moisturise from the Inside as well as the Outside
This isn’t simply drinking more water. Rather it is increasing your intake of oils to help reduce those dry patches. If you’re taking your oils from the inside it means you’ll have less chance of clogged pores and dreaded breakouts.
Omega 3 from fish oil is unrivalled in its health and skin clearing benefits. But you can also get Omega 3 from walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds. Another great oil to eat with amazing health and skin benefits is coconut oil (but it can be known to cause breakouts if you apply it directly on your skin).
You’ll still need to moisturise from the outside too, but you should look for a moisturiser that won’t clog your pores. You might find that a light facial oil (like the Laugh Out Loud Active Jojoba Oil) is perfect because it will lessen your dry areas and regulate your sebum (oil) production at the same time. If oils aren’t your thing then a super-light non-comedogenic moisturiser (like the Perfectly Happy Light Anti-Oxidant Cream) could be what you’re after.
3. Balance with a Repairing Toner
No other product sparks debate like toners – because of a lack of understanding, many magazines, dermatologists, and even cosmetics salespeople advise against using a toner, or simply dismiss toners as an optional step. That is disappointing, because the right toner can be awesome for your skin. The poo-pooing of toners could be why we’re seeing more and more ‘facial essences’ and ‘hydrating tonics’ on store shelves.
The best thing is to choose a toner (or tonic or facial essence) that has ingredients that repair rather than irritate, because usually if combination skin gets irritated everything gets worse. Your toner should help balance the pH of your skin after cleansing while also delivering a good hit of anti-oxidants and repairing nutrients.
The Tickled Pink Perfecting Tonic ticks all the boxes for combination skin, helping to reduce redness and blemishes while it gently exfoliates and nourishes. However if your skin is easily irritated we recommend the Raindrops on Roses Hydrating Tonic, which is the best toner for sensitive skin.
4. Treat Yourself to a Mask
After a long day it may feel like a hassle to apply a mask and sit down for 10 mins but your combination skin will love you for it. We all probably need to slow down a little and your mask time should be the perfect excuse.
For a soft, dewy complexion 100% natural clay masks are unrivalled. They are the simplest form of skincare going. The Pig in Mud Mineral Masks are dry clay and botanical extracts (you mix in the water or tonic to make it into a paste) giving you a very pure mask.
A good clay mask can detox, tone, revitalise, purify pores, smooth rough skin, reduce dry patches, get rid of excess oiliness, and help you recover from an embarrassing breakout. And all you have to do is sit back, relax and remember to tone and moisturise at the end. You’re best off applying your mask once or twice per week, or even up to 3 times per week in areas where you’re trying to clear a breakout.
If you want to get a little dirty then feel free to take a look at our Pig in Mud Mineral masks.
Image source: freedigitalphotos.net. Artists: MR LIGHTMAN, stockimages.
