Oct 9, 2024
Categories: Skin Care
Is your T-zone oily but your cheeks feel dry? Combination skin can feel like a constant balancing act. There’s no single fix that works for everyone, but a few simple tips can help you manage both oily and dry areas. Read on to learn what combination skin looks like and how to care for it.
5 Signs You Might Have Combination Skin — The Quick Test
Because combination and oily skin share features, people often confuse them. Try this one-hour test: wash your face, leave it bare, and check how your skin feels after an hour. Do you see any of the following?
1. Oily and dry spots at the same time
If your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) looks and feels oily while your cheeks and jawline are normal or dry, you likely have combination skin. It’s simply a mix of different skin types on one face.
2. Mild breakouts plus dry patches
Combination skin can make you prone to occasional, mild acne—usually in the oilier T-zone—while other areas stay dry. Breakouts often show up around times of hormonal change, like your period.
3. Larger pores on the nose, chin, and forehead
If pores look noticeably bigger in your T-zone, that’s common with combination skin. Extra oil and clogged pores stretch them out, though they can shrink back when skin is clearer.
4. Patchy makeup
If foundation slides off your T-zone but clings to your cheeks, it could be because your skin needs a routine tailored for both oily and dry areas.
5. Seasonal shifts: oilier in summer, drier in winter
Many people with combination skin notice more oil in hot, humid months and more dryness in cold, dry weather. Your oily-to-dry balance often changes with the season.
What Is Combination Skin?
Combination skin means you have both dry and oily areas on your face. Dr. Hooman Khorasani, a dermatologic and cosmetic surgeon, says this comes from uneven oil production: oil glands in the T-zone are more active, while other areas produce less oil. “The T-zone — across the forehead, down the nose, and to the chin — tends to be oilier and have larger pores,” he explains.
Watch the In The Mix video where Eminence Organics lead skin care trainer Natalie Pergar shows three simple steps to help identify your skin type.
Normal-Combination vs. Dry-Combination
If you’re unsure which type you have, split it two ways:
– Normal-combination: Oily T-zone, but cheeks feel normal (not dry).
– Dry-combination: Oily T-zone, but cheeks feel dry and may be flaky. You can have a shiny forehead or chin while your cheeks need more moisture.
What Causes Combination Skin?
– Genetics: Like other skin types, combination skin often runs in families. Some areas naturally make more oil than others.
– Hormones: Hormones affect sebaceous glands. More testosterone, for example, can boost oil production and lead to greasy spots.
– Environment: Heat and humidity increase sweat and oiliness. Cold, dry weather pulls moisture from the skin and can make dry areas worse.
How to Care for Combination Skin
Understanding your skin helps you pick the right products. Aim to balance both oily and dry areas rather than treating your whole face the same.
– Choose products for each zone
Use lighter, gel or lotion formulas on oily areas and richer, more hydrating creams or oils on dry spots. Treat each area according to its needs.
– Use a BHA for oily spots
Apply a BHA (like a salicylic acid product) to the oily areas to unclog pores and help new skin come to the surface. A salicylic-acid cleanser can also reduce oil buildup and prevent clogged pores.
– Keep blotting papers handy
When your T-zone gets shiny, blotting papers can remove excess oil without disturbing makeup. Press gently—don’t rub—to avoid spreading oil or irritating skin.
– Treat cheeks and T-zone separately
Rather than using one moisturizer everywhere, apply a lightweight moisturizer to the T-zone and a richer one to the cheeks for better hydration balance.
Do you have combination skin? Try a routine made for mixed skin types and see how your skin responds. We’d love to hear what works for you—share your tips in the comments or on social media.