And while a lucky few can identify their skin type right off the bat—be it dry, oily, or acne-prone—most of the time it’s not so obvious. Case in point: combination skin. As its title suggests, combination skin is more of a skin type hybrid, and it’s not so easy to point out. So while you may notice patches of shine on your face, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have run-of-the-mill oily skin. Rather, oily skin refers to shine all over: “When you have oily skin, it is something you will notice all over your face, as opposed to just one restricted area,” celebrity esthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar adds. That said, here are some curated skin care tips for combination skin: Regardless, make sure you’re not overdoing it with the exfoliation: “Just because some areas of your face might produce excessive oil, that doesn’t make your skin ‘oily,’ so one must make sure not to treat combination skin with harsh overdrying skin care products,” Aguilar adds. Application matters, too: According to Guidi, a light veil of moisture can keep your skin breathable during the day. Then at night, you can slather on the same formula in a thicker layer, as your skin needs a bigger dollop of moisture while you sleep1. Niacinamide is also a great ingredient to watch, as it has oil-balancing capabilities without stripping the skin barrier—so it regulates sebum2 and improves hydration at the same time. In other words, a total win for combination skin. So what does this look like in practice? Peruse the below: And while it ultimately takes some trial and error to discover your golden skin care routine, knowing your skin type can definitely narrow down some essential players. If you think you may fall into the combination skin camp, consider the above your starting stage.
