A 5-Step AM Skincare Routine For Combination Skin

Combination skin is neither dry nor oily, in fact it’s both – which is where things get complicated – you can’t use two different routines, so you need to find the middle-ground and try to maintain balance.  Typically, 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 redness. However, you might find that your skin fluctuates throughout the year. Many people see dryness worsen in winter and oiliness become more noticeable in winter. 

With that in mind, building a skincare routine for combination skin becomes a bit of a juggling act – 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 but without clogging pores – normally, this means you’re in for an extensive trial and error process. To make things 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. You’re welcome. 

When it comes to choosing a morning cleanser for combination skin, look for simple formulas with gel or gel-cream textures. Avoid foaming, exfoliating, and balm or oil cleansers – at this point in the day, you just need something to freshen up your skin and remove any oil or product residue. Be sure to use warm (not hot) water when you remove the cleanser from your skin. 

With combination skin, you might notice your skin feels tight (or in some cases still oily) after cleansing. That’s where toner comes in – it helps to balance skin’s pH levels, wick away any traces of oil, and add hydration. Use a cotton pad to gently wipe the toner over your skin. 

When you have combination skin, finding a serum that won’t sway your complexion to the extremes of oily or dry can be tricky. To play on the safe side, opt for a niacinamide based one – the ingredient plays well with both dry and oily skin, supporting the skin barrier while helping to control excess oil. Pat the serum onto our skin immediately after toning. 

When it comes to hydrating combination skin, the key is balance. Look for lightweight, water-based, and gel-textured moisturisers. Their non-clogging textures absorb quickly so are ideal for those looking for fast hydration without the shiny finish – plus, they usually make great bases for makeup. 

Sunscreen is a daily essential, no matter what your skin type, and when it comes to choosing one for combination skin, the key is in finding a texture and formula that works for you. If you’re especially concerned about oil and shine, then avoid anything too glowy, and if your skin is leaning more to the dry side, look for cream and lotion textures which will help to hydrate as well as protect.