In some ways we should be grateful if we’ve got combination skin. If we’re oily all over that’s one problem and if we’re all dry and flaky that’s yet another, and the causes are probably deep-rooted and needing attention. But with combination skin, it’s a fair bet that we’re just fair to middling on the spectrum of skin conditions, oily in some places, dry in others, and perfectly normal everywhere else.

With combination skin, the best approach is to deal with each area separately. There are products specifically designed for combination skin, but that can often simply mean that they are mild moisturisers or mild cleansers, designed to bring one condition closer to normal but not affect the other adversely. However combination skin is usually best approached as though the various conditions are separate and they should be treated as such.

The most common pattern of combination skin focuses on the so-called T-zone. This is the name given to the forehead, nose and chin that forms a letter T on the face. The usual pattern is that the T-zone gets oily (because that’s where the face naturally produces more oils anyway) and the cheeks remain dry. There is not usually any cause for this kind of skin beyond our genetic makeup, which means the best response is often to keep on top of it rather than to try and make radical changes to lifestyle or seek out specific combination skin care (although such products will suit some people best). So the best response is, perhaps not surprisingly, to moisturise the dry parts and maintain a good cleaning and exfoliating routine on the others.

By the same token, the problem could have been made worse over the years by not treating combination skin as separate conditions. So if we’ve been applying the same product to the whole of our faces to combat oily or dry skin, it might have worked well on the appropriate parts but sent the rest the other way.

In many cases, therefore, the best intervention is to start by not using products entirely for a week or so. Your skin will return to what it would have been if left to its own devices, and you’ll get a much clearer picture of what you are dealing with. If you have been carrying on with the same routine since your teens and you’re now in your thirties, there’s a good chance that the skin conditions that prevailed back then will no longer apply, and you might be surprised at the results of laying off the products for a spell.

In conclusion, combination skin needs something of a combination approach. But before you start treating it, it’s a good idea to find out what your natural state is, and for that the only solution is to do away with all products for a few days. It will give you a starting point from which to build a comprehensive routine to treat your combination skin most effectively. Other than that, the usual measures, such as protecting yourself from the sun, having a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water will all help to keep your skin healthy.

Author Bio: Tracey has given many people advice about caring for combination skin and other skin treatment options. She is an expert in skin care and writes for a number of publications.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: