A 6-Step PM Skincare Routine For Combination Skin

Combination skin experiences signs of both dryness and oiliness, so when it comes to choosing products and building a routine you need to focus on restoring balance to your skin. Usually, combination skin has a mix of oily areas where you’ll see a lot of shine and clogged pores (usually the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin)) and dry patches (cheeks and jaw, and hairline) where you’ll experience texture and sensitivity. However, you may find that your skin fluctuates throughout the year or even throughout the month. Many people see dryness worsen in winter and oiliness become more noticeable in winter, and combination skin can also be quite sensitive to changes in your routine if you introduce the wrong products.

Building a skincare routine for combination skin requires a bit of trial and error – mostly because everyone’s skin is different, and while some people will find their skin is more dry, others may be more on the oily side. Essentially, you’ll want to find a cleanser that helps to target congestion but doesn’t strip your skin, and a moisturiser that nourishes your dry patches without clogging pores. To make the process easier for you, we’ve put together a morning skincare routine for combination skin, using some of the best products for combination skin – tried and tested by us. 

Starting your evening skincare routine with a cleansing balm is a great way to remove makeup and cleanse your skin without imbalancing it. The oils within cleansing balms help to break down makeup and melt it away, with no scrubbing required. They also help to soften and nourish dry patches, and since they’re rinsed off, won’t contribute to excess oil – instead, the oils actually help to break down sebum. Spend time massaging the balm into your skin until it melts into an oil. Remove using a warm flannel.

You may not want to double cleanse if your combination skin is slightly more on the dry side, however if your skin leans more oily, then this is a great way to ensure your skin is deeply cleansed. Using a gel cleanser (following an oil-based one) helps to remove deeper-rooted congestion. Massage the cleanser over your face is small circular motions, then rinse off with warm water.

A toner can be a great addition to a skincare routine for sensitive skin since they can help to balance skin after cleansing. If you find your skin feels either a little tight or a little greasy after cleansing, then a cleanser can help to both refresh and rehydrate your skin. Soak a cotton pad and sweep gently over skin, focussing on dry areas.

When it comes to choosing a serum for combination skin, look for those with words like ‘balancing’ in the name. These formulas will contain ingredients like probiotics, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, which work to simultaneously hydrate skin and also target excess oil and support the skin barrier. Press your serum onto damp skin after toning.

Finally, moisturising is an essential step if you have combination skin. As well as hydrating and softening dry areas, moisturising also helps to restore balance to oily areas by teaching skin not to overproduce excess oil. Be generous with the amount of moisturiser you apply – especially when targeting your dry patches.