A Simple Skincare Routine for Combination Skin Types

Building a skincare routine for combination skin can feel like a balancing act. On the one hand, you need enough moisture and hydration to balance out your drier areas. On the other, you don’t want to go overboard with the heavy creams and lotions, which could leave your oilier areas looking (or feeling) greasy. Like we said: a balancing act.

The good news is that caring for combo skin isn’t difficult once you understand what your skin needs. To help you in your skincare journey, we’ve created a guide full of tips for creating a balanced, effective skincare routine for combination skin. Read on for all the details and discover some of the best cleaners, toners, and moisturizers for combination skin to add to your cart.

How To Determine If You Have Combination Skin

Before you start putting together a skincare routine for combination skin, it’s a good idea to make sure that’s actually your skin type. So, what is combination skin? It’s a skin type characterized by the presence of both oily and dry areas on different parts of the face.

To figure out whether you have combo skin, wash your face with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser, then pat your skin dry and wait anywhere between half an hour to an hour. Then, examine your face in the mirror. If your T-zone—in other words, your nose, chin, and forehead—appear shiny and your cheeks look dehydrated (or feel dry and tight), there’s a good chance you have combination skin.

You could also try the blotting paper test. After cleansing your face (and waiting a bit), grab a blotting sheet and gently dab it onto different areas of your face. If the sheet becomes translucent, it means it has soaked up oil. Those with combination skin will typically see the most oil absorption around the T-zone, with little to none appearing on the blotting paper after dabbing it onto the cheeks.

Try This 4-Step Skincare Routine for Combination Skin

Your skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Here, find a simple five-step skincare routine perfect for balancing combo skin.

1. Wash with a cleanser for combination skin

When you have combination skin, it’s important not to use a cleanser that’s too harsh—otherwise, you can risk stripping the drier areas of your face. At the same time, you don’t want to use anything too heavy or rich. Follow the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) recommendation and use a mild cleanser, such as the classic Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser. The gentle formula—meant for all skin types—thoroughly cleanses without over-drying the skin. If you’re wearing makeup, remove it first with a mild cleansing balm, like the Youth to the People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm, which feels hydrating on the skin—not greasy.

2. Use an exfoliating toner

It can be tricky to find an exfoliator (and an exfoliating schedule) that works for you—and that’s without factoring in the nuances of combination skin. When you have both dry and oily areas, you have to be extra attentive in picking an exfoliant that won’t leave your drier areas feeling tight or stripped. Mild chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic acid, are ideal, as they tend to be gentler than physical exfoliants like scrubs. Try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 5% Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner, which is alcohol-free, suitable for all skin types, and gentle enough for daily use.

3. Apply a serum for your skin concerns

Serum is an essential step in any skincare regimen, as these targeted treatments can help address specific skin concerns to help promote a healthier-looking (and -feeling) complexion. And because they tend to be lightweight, they layer well with other skincare products for combination skin without adding excess weight.

In the morning, we suggest reaching for a vitamin C serum, such as the cult-classic TruSkin Vitamin C Serum – Anti Aging Facial Serum. The potent formula helps improve the appearance of both skin texture and tone, visibly minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, and helps promote a brighter-looking complexion. In the evening, use a gentle retinol serum, like the CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, to help resurface your skin. We love this pick because it’s gentle but effective—and because it helps support the skin’s ever-important moisture barrier.

4. Apply sunscreen

Here’s your regularly scheduled reminder that sunscreen is always a must. No matter your skin type (or the time of year!), this is one step you really shouldn’t skip. The United States Drug and Food Administration (FDA) advises using a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of at least 15 every day, rain, shine, or snow. The Eucerin Sun Advanced Hydration SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion fits the bill—plus it feels incredibly lightweight on the skin.

Be sure to also remember to follow other sun safety measures—like avoiding direct sunlight at midday—to help keep your skin protected from damaging UV rays.