Combination skin is both the most common and the most frustrating skin type. If your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) tends to get shiny while the rest of your face leans dry, you’re likely dealing with combination skin. The key? Balancing hydration—without over-moisturizing oily areas or neglecting drier zones. The good news? With the right routine, achieving harmony is absolutely possible.
Your Daily Skincare Routine for Balanced, Glowing Skin
Morning Routine
1. Cleanse Gently
- Start with our Gel-Crème Cleanser and cool water. (Avoid warm water—it can trigger redness, excess oil, and dryness.)
2. Exfoliate Strategically
- Use a liquid exfoliant like our Pore Perfect Toner (with salicylic acid) or **Pore Perfect Toner Sensitive** (with mandelic acid) on a cotton pad, focusing only on areas prone to congestion.
- Pro Tip: Skip over dry zones like under-eyes and nose creases to prevent irritation.
3. Treat & Protect
- Apply Serum B (a niacinamide serum) to help regulate oil production, soothe redness, and address sun damage.
4. Hydrate Lightly
- Opt for a featherweight moisturizer like Moisture Milk or Moisture Milk Sensitive—hydrating without adding shine.
5. Shield with SPF
- Finish with Rain or Shine SPF 50, a non-comedogenic sunscreen that protects without clogging pores.
Evening Routine
1. Cleanse Again
- Repeat your morning cleanse to remove impurities and prep skin for treatment.
2. Exfoliate for Radiance
- If your skin looks dull, use our Glow (glycolic acid) to slough off dead surface cells.
3. Target Breakouts (If Needed)
- Apply Clear Up Serum as a preventative treatment or spot treatment on blemish-prone areas.
4. Moisturize Smartly
- Reapply your lightweight moisturizer to lock in hydration overnight.
What *Not* to Do for Combination Skin
Proceed with Caution with Facials (Yes, Really!)
While facials might feel luxurious, they often include steam, heat, and massage—all of which can aggravate sensitivity, trigger oil production, and worsen dryness. For delicate skin, less stimulation is more. Make sure your facialist is aware of how to minimize irritation. We partner with only very specific spas who are committed to this philosophy. Contact us if there are great spas in your area who share our values that you think we should know about!
Avoid DIY Kitchen Skincare & Slumber Party Sheet Masks
That yogurt-honey-avocado mask? Tempting, but risky. Food-based ingredients can introduce bacteria and irritants, leading to more harm than glow. And most masks on the market (whether sheet or clay masks) contain "fun," highly fragrant, and overly stripping ingredients that set the stage for imbalance, irritation, and reactivity. We consider them to be at best a waste of money and time.
Steer Clear of Fragrance
Heavily perfumed products or those with essential oils might smell divine, but they’re a fast track to breakouts and collagen breakdown. Stick with fragrance-free formulas for calmer, more youthful, and more even-toned skin.
The Takeaway
A consistent, gentle routine—adjusted slightly with the seasons—is your best bet for balanced, healthy-looking skin. By exfoliating wisely, hydrating strategically, and avoiding common irritants, you’ll notice fewer extremes: less shine in your T-zone, fewer dry patches, and an overall more even complexion.
Ready to simplify your skincare? Stick with science-backed, fragrance-free essentials, and let your skin thrive.
