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Combination skin? How to recognize it and care for it properly

Combination skin is one of the most common skin types, but also one of the most difficult to care for. Dry and oily areas on your face require a balanced approach. In this blog, we explain how to recognize combination skin, what the best skincare for combination skin is, and which ingredients you can best use.

What is combination skin?

Combination skin means that you have different skin types on one face:

  • Oily areas (especially T-zone: forehead, nose, chin)

  • Dry or normal areas (such as cheeks)

This combination makes it difficult to use one universal product, because what is good for your cheeks may be too rich for your T-zone, and vice versa.

How do you recognize combination skin?

Wondering if you have combination skin? Here are the typical characteristics:

  • Your T-zone is oily or shiny, especially later in the day

  • Your cheeks feel tight or dry

  • You have both blackheads and dry spots

  • Makeup doesn't stay on well on the T-zone, but can flake on other areas

  • Products feel nice on one part of your face, but too oily or too dry on another

Causes of combination skin

  • Genetics – your skin type is largely hereditary

  • Weather changes – drier in winter, oilier in summer

  • Wrong skincare products – some creams or cleansers can throw your skin out of balance

  • Hormonal changes – for example during the menstrual cycle or stress

The best skincare routine for combination skin

A smart skincare routine is key. You don’t necessarily have to multi-mask everything, but choose products that offer balance and are suitable for combination skin types.

1. Cleaning (2x per day)

Use a gentle gel or foam cleanser that removes sebum without drying out your skin. Ingredients like niacinamide are great for balancing oil production.

View our cleaners here.

2. Toner or essence

A hydrating, alcohol-free toner helps soothe your dry areas without making your T-zone oilier.

View our toners here.

3. Serum aimed at balance

Use serums with niacinamide , hyaluronic acid or vitamin B5 to hydrate and regulate sebum production.

View our serums here.

4. Moisturizer

Choose a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer that hydrates without clogging. In the winter, you can apply a richer cream to dry areas.

Check out our moisturizers here.

5. Sun protection (daily!)

Use an SPF that is suitable for oily skin so that your T-zone does not shine unnecessarily.

Ingredients that help your combination skin

✅ Do use:

  • Niacinamide

  • Hyaluronic acid

  • Allantoin

  • Salicylic acid (for the T-zone)

  • Panthenol

❌ Better to avoid:

  • Alcohol denat. (drying)

  • Heavy, greasy creams on your T-zone

  • Perfume or fragrances for sensitive areas

Care tips for combination skin

  • Use multiple products per zone if needed – a mattifying cream on your T-zone, a moisturizing one on your cheeks

  • Exfoliate gently 2x per week – salicylic acid on oily areas, glycolic acid on drier areas

  • Always moisturize , even if your T-zone is oily – it helps balance sebum production