Photography by JP Desvigne (@jpdvg) from Unsplash
Dry or oily skin? Usually, that's one of the things we try to identify when we think of buying skincare products or going for skin treatments to help with what comes with skin identification. But what if you find yourself having both?
True enough, combination skin doesn't get enough of the limelight with skincare. It can be confusing, especially when you have an oily t-zone and drier cheek areas. Suddenly, you're unsure whether to accommodate your oily or dry skin.
Before jumping in, let's break combination skin down and see where it takes us when it comes to the ideal care routine we deserve.
What exactly is combination skin?
Photography by Mathilde Langevin (@mathildelangevin) from Unsplash
There are a lot of factors that affect our skin type, and some become beyond our control.
Like acne-prone skin, the same natural production of healthy oils can sometimes be on overdrive. For combination skin, overproduction of these oils can happen only in particular areas— most commonly the T-zone— while the rest remain significantly drier and more prone to flaking. It's also not uncommon to find yourself with severely dry skin during colder days and oilier skin in the summer if you have combination skin.
When it comes to the root of combination skin, genetics and hormones can usually be one of the factors that come into play. Weather and the change in environment can also over or under-stimulate the production of our natural oils— making us find ourselves in between products.
The round-up: Combination skin is when your skin over or under-produces skin's natural oil production, giving us both oilier and drier parts of the face. Having flaky, dry skin in colder weather and oilier skin in the summer can also signal that you have combination skin.
Which one do I focus on? What type of skincare should I get?
Photography by Briar Fairclough from Unsplash
We always believe that skin is ever-changing. While it's not wrong to adapt as you go about your skin going through seasons, people with combination skin throughout the year might find it tedious to keep the routine. Worst case scenario? While going through products and treatments that don't address your concerns, giving up and going for the closest available choice seems like an acceptable option.
If you identify yourself with combination skin, don't settle for second best. Go for intentional skincare routines that acknowledge your need for hydration and oil production. The gentle approach is best for combination skin, as it usually gives the 'balance' combination skin lacks.
The round-up: It's never wrong to keep changing skincare routines as you go through dry to oily skin and vice versa. It's ideal, however, to go for intentional skincare that balances and addresses the needs of your oily and dry skin to make caring for and committing to it easy.
What's the best way to approach combination skin?
Photography from Rodion Kutsaev from Vecteezy
Gentle. Intentional. Balanced. When it comes to combination skin, it's important to understand what goes on within and what specific needs your skin should get to combat physical manifestations. Flaking, acne, texture, whiteheads, and blackheads can all be present when you have combination skin, so it's important to know your skin in depth before finding treatments and skincare that go with it to avoid aggravating or irritating the rest of your face.
Should you choose to find progressive, intentional care to help you navigate your way around combination skin from start to finish, see what our approach to skincare could do for you:
The Simply Skin Experience— Progressive facials for combination skin
Image from Simply Skin
Together with our skin-loving experts, we make sure to listen to your skin needs and personally identify what treatment you should go with. To us, your skin needs go above everything. We make sure not to force your skin into treatments & routines that ultimately won't make sense to your goals. We go beyond by ensuring that the routines we recommend will be easier for you to commit to and follow.
Not only do we promise to put you and your skin first, but you can ensure that whenever your skin does go through changes, there's no need to look further. We keep track of your skin and meet you wherever you're at as your go-to skin companion for the skin you want to achieve.
Facial treatments for Combination Skin
Essential Facial — Best to keep your skin hydrated and nourished— gentle enough even for sensitive skin
Clearlift Laser Treatment — Best for lightening skin pigmentation from recent breakouts due to overproduction of skin oils
Pixel Laser Resurfacing — Best for working on skin texture, stubborn acne marks & scars and lessening the appearance of pores
Ultimate Clear Power Duo — Best for working on rougher skin texture, deeper and more noticeable pores and more stubborn marks & scars
Here's what a Simply Skin session will look like for combination skin
Step 1 - Expert Cleanse
How it works for combination skin: Knowing that overproduction and underproduction of our natural skin oils happen with dry skin, it's possible that breakouts occur (yes, breakouts occur with dry skin, too!) This step ensures that any build-up formed like whiteheads and blackheads are painlessly, and carefully decongested to give you a smoother, clearer prep for the next step. With this no-pricking, hydradermabrasion cleanse, you're sure to get the hydration and nourishment you need, too!
Step 2 - Your Treatment of Choice — Essential Facial, Clearlift, Pixel or Ultimate Clear Power Duo
How it works for combination skin: Our progressive treatments ensure that any physical manifestation of combination skin that you'd love to address does just that! With our skin-loving experts, we make sure to adapt and adjust to your skin to make sure you're on track with skin progress with every visit.
Step 3 - Your Aftercare at Home
How it works for combination skin: Our care for your skin doesn't end when you leave Our Spaces. Since we know the struggle of finding products that go well with your skin and treatment, we're lifting off the guesswork so you could face skin progress— even at home! Your Aftercare at Home entails skincare recommendations from our in-house, handpicked line of combination skin-friendly skincare products. That way, we know your skin is well taken care of until your next visit with us.
Combination skin can be tricky to navigate, but with the right go-to skin place, you'll feel the weight of having to guess and wonder about better skin lifted off your shoulders. Give us a visit when you can— and we'll let your experience the difference for yourself!
Thumbnail by Mathilde Langevin (@mathildelangevin) and JP Desvigne (@jpdvg) from Unsplash