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Would you be able to differentiate between combination skin and oily skin? Do you experience shine on your forehead, nose, and chin areas? You may be dealing with oily skin, but be aware it could also be a combination type. Learning to distinguish between them is crucial for selecting the right treatments.
Characteristics of Oily Skin and Combination Skin
Oily Skin
This skin type is often common among teenagers, and it can persist up to the age of twenty, although it's less frequent in adults, where combination skin is more prevalent.
Oily skin produces more sebum, which is the skin's natural oil, and it lacks dry areas, a characteristic commonly found in combination skin.
It is primarily characterized by:
- Visible pores
- Acne, blackheads, or pimples
- Persistent skin shine, especially around midday
- Acne on other body parts like the back or chest
To properly care for it, we should:
- Cleanse it every night to prevent pore blockage
- Exfoliate it once a week with a gentle, preferably liquid exfoliant
- Avoid touching imperfections
- Use a specialized cream for this skin type, which will both mattify and hydrate it
- Use a makeup foundation designed for oily skin, a hydrating one applied with a dry sponge or brush
- Avoid products with oils
Combination Skin
Combination skin features a mix of oily and dry areas. The oily areas are the previously mentioned ones, forming the "T-zone," while the dry areas include the cheeks, cheekbones, and eye contour.
It is primarily characterized by:
- Greater oiliness in some areas
- More visible pores in the T-zone
- Matte-looking pores in the rest of the face
- The T-zone being prone to acne and blackheads
- Tactile differences
- The need to exfoliate once a week
This skin type is more extreme, meaning that if not properly cared for, it could become either too oily or overly dehydrated, transforming into dry skin.
Proper care is essential, and for that purpose, it's important to:
- Cleanse it every evening
- Use oil-free products that are not abrasive
- Apply oil-free moisturizer
- Apply foundation with your hand
It's good to have two types of moisturizers for different areas. Use an oil-free one in the T-zone and apply an oil-containing one to the other areas.
Facial Routine
Facial Cleanser
Dispense a small amount of product onto your hand and massage it over all areas of your face, paying special attention to those with makeup. After covering your entire face, rinse it off thoroughly with water.
Cleansing Gel
Use a very gentle gel that can remove excess oil and residues from your skin without drying it out or disrupting your skin barrier. Use it in the evenings because in the morning, your skin still has products from the nighttime routine.
Before using it, dampen your face with water and then massage your skin with the product, moving in circular motions. Massage vigorously, and once completed, rinse your face with water again.
Facial Exfoliant
Exfoliating helps eliminate the skin's superficial layers, promoting constant renewal. Apply a small amount of product, this time on your palm or on a cotton pad (although you'll lose some product), and gently tap it onto your face. You can do this at any time of the day, although to avoid exposing exfoliated skin to the sun afterward, it's recommended to do it at night.
Niacinamide Serum
The serum helps regulate oil production. Its continuous use reduces sebum production and improves redness. The first step is to fill the dropper to just over half and pour the content into your palm. Then, massage your face with the product until it is fully absorbed.
An ideal option to include in this routine is the Facial Glow Serum from Matcha & CO. It's a super-concentrated serum that combines the brightening power of stabilized Vitamin C with the antioxidant strength of Niacinamide and Matcha to hydrate, firm, and illuminate the skin while reducing signs of aging.
Moisturizer
It's an essential step as it provides hydration and prevents your skin from becoming too dry or too oily.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen helps prevent premature skin damage from exposure to UVA and UV rays. In this case, sunscreen should be applied in the morning routine, a few minutes after using moisturizer. Apply an amount similar to a coffee spoon and spread it all over your face and neck.
