Achieving healthy, glowing skin requires time and plenty of TLC. Everyone’s skin is different, however, so the approach you take with skincare should be tailored to your specific needs. Most people have dry skin, oily skin, or a combination of the two. Oily or dry skin can be challenging to take care of on their own, but those with combination skin need to strike a balance without leaning too far one way or the other. This blog will explain what combination skin is, the proper steps to care for it, and common mistakes to avoid.
What Is Combination Skin?
Having combination skin means your face is oily in some areas and dry in others. Usually, oils build up in the T-zone, an area that includes the forehead, nose, and chin. Blackheads and larger pores are more common in this zone. In contrast, your cheeks may be prone to dryness and appear dull or flaky. The level of oiliness or dryness might even vary from day to day.
If you only use products that absorb oils, you could end up with tight, dry, and irritated skin in some areas. But if you solely focus on moisturizing, you risk making your T-zone extra oily. That’s why it’s crucial to strike a balance and find the best products for both needs. Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do when planning a routine for combination skin.
Do:
Try a Targeted Approach to Product Application
When you have combination skin, that means different areas of your face require special treatment. For the best results, give each zone of your skin the unique care it deserves. Apply a mattifying, oil-absorbing cleanser to the oily parts of your face and moisturizing products to the dry zones. There are also specially formulated combination skin cleansers, like our Ocean Cleanser. The formula features bentonite to remove excess oils without stripping the skin and glycerin to gently nourish.
Clear congested areas with our Red Algae Clarifying Mask. The rich texture is perfect for targeted application, so you can enjoy the benefits of bentonite clay and three types of red algae in the areas that need special attention. The mask also contains glycerin for gentle hydration and smoother looking skin.
Focus on Long-Term Hydration
Prolonged hydration is key to preventing your dry zones from flaking and getting irritated. The best moisturizer for combination skin contains humectants, like lactic acid and hyaluronic acid, which draw and retain moisture from the air. Even better, they won’t clog your pores or leave your skin greasy. Our lightweight Seabiotic® Water Cream strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier¹ with Undaria seaweed and provides long-lasting hydration with squalane.
Choose Active Ingredients That Suit Your Skin Type
Many products contain active ingredients, which do the heavy lifting in addressing skin concerns. Taking care of combination skin is a balancing act between the needs of dry and oily skin, which can make finding the right actives confusing. The good news is that there are plenty of effective options to choose from.
The Hyaluronic Sea Serum is powered by hyaluronic acid, snow mushroom, and Japanese Miru seaweed, which work to restore and maintain optimal moisture levels². Incorporate exfoliation into your routine with our Seaglow Overnight Serum, which resurfaces and reinforces your skin’s moisture barrier using Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), phytic acid, sea actives, and fermented shiunko oil. Enjoy softer, smoother looking skin with less noticeable pores and a radiant finish³.
Don’t:
Go Overboard Trying to Control Oil
Greasy skin can feel uncomfortable, but using aggressive oil-controlling products won’t help. These products, usually alcohol-based, only dry out and irritate the skin. Worse, your skin will start producing even more oil to replace what’s been stripped away. Oil-prone skin still needs hydration to keep it from overproducing sebum to compensate for dryness⁴.
Our Ocean Cleansing Mudd which gets deep into pores to remove impurities, and the glycerin in the formula hydrates to prevent that tight, stripped feeling. Follow up with the Blemish Balm, a fast-absorbing moisturizer that hydrates and balances the skin.
Use Heavy Products
In the same vein, avoid using heavy moisturizers all over your face. These products can clog your pores and leave your skin feeling even oilier. Lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas are ideal for allover use, and you can reserve stronger moisturizers for the driest parts of your face. Our Seabiotic® Water Cream is a weightless formula designed to provide over 72 hours of deep hydration while still feeling light and silky on the skin⁵.
Skip Steps in Your Routine
You may be tempted to skip out on moisturizers to get rid of excess oils or toners to avoid irritating dry skin, but skimping on your skincare routine will only do you a disservice. Lightweight, water-based moisturizers ensure your skin stays healthy and hydrated without clogging your pores, but you don’t have to stop there.
A gentle, alcohol-free toner will effectively remove excess product, oil, and sebum from your skin while tightening your pores. Our Sea Minerals Mist hydrates and leaves behind a cool, refreshed feeling while delivering plenty of moisture thanks to its seaweed and mineral ingredients.
Layering hydrating products keeps your skin feeling balanced and nourished over time, so add the Hyaluronic Sea Serum to your routine to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Give the delicate eye area the attention it deserves with the Ocean Eyes® Age-Defying Serum. This lightweight combination of seaweed, hyaluronic acid, and peptides helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles for a wide-awake look⁶. And the cooling roller ball applicator treats your undereye skin to a depuffing massage.
With these tips, you can enjoy the feeling of smooth, balanced combination skin. OSEA’s always here to help you put your best face forward.
Sources:
1. Based on a third-party consumer perception and clinical study conducted over 4 weeks on 31 women ages 25-65.
2. Based on a third-party clinical study conducted over 4 weeks on 32 women ages 37-65 (including; expert skin grading, instrumental measurements & consumer perception study).
3. Based on a third-party consumer perception study conducted over 4 weeks on 32 women ages 37-65.
4. Xue, F. (10 March 2022). You Can Actually Train Your Skin to Be Less Oily—Here’s How. Byrdie. Retrieved on August 7, 2023, from https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-make-skin-less-oily-4686907
5. Based on a third-party consumer perception and clinical study conducted over 4 weeks on 31 women ages 25-65.
6. Based on a third-party consumer perception study conducted over 4 weeks on 32 women ages 37-65.
