Do you have dry skin but also oily skin? You have combination skin!
Trying to get your skincare routine right or looking for the right products to suit combination skin can be a bit daunting and feel like you’re going in circles. Hydrating creams might seem too hydrating, face oils might be too oily and rich exfoliators might leave your skin even dryer.
But there’s no need to worry, it might not be easy but with the right information and the right products it is possible to reach a balanced skin care routine that can help soften dry patches and reduce shininess.
What is Combination Skin?
Combination skin simply means that certain areas of your face are dry while others appear to be oily, usually your t-zone (nose, forehead and chin) is the area that appears to be the oiliest. It doesn’t matter what percentage of your skin is oily and dry, or if your dry and oily patches aren’t in the most common areas the process of finding the right skincare routine and products for you is the same.
What causes combination skin?
Your skin type is genetically determined but the ageing process, hormonal changes, the weather and other factors can intervene for your skin to experience some changes.
Oily skin can be a blessing in disguise. People with an oily skin type can benefit from fewer wrinkles, softer skin, and greater protection from environmental damage. It does this by providing a light barrier against pollutants that can damage your skin as well as locking in moisture, which is essential to keep your skin looking plump, youthful, and nourished.
However, too much oil will make your skin constantly look shiny and feel greasy. So, it’s important to know how to manage it to maintain a balanced complexion and that killer glow we are all after. There are several factors that can cause oily skin including, genetics, age (You are much more likely to have oily skin during your teens and 20s because your skin naturally produces more sebum) and environmental factors like living in a hot, humid climate.
It’s important to note that you can’t get rid of oily skin, and nor should you. It’s perfectly normal and healthy for your skin to maintain some level of oil.
On the other hand, Dry Skin is a skin type that lacks oil. Dry skin is not a temporary condition, but rather widely considered a skin type. Dry skin occurs when your skin does not produce enough sebum, your skin’s natural moisturiser. Without enough sebum, skin feels tight, itchy and flaky. Potential causes of dry skin include genetics, age (Older adults are more prone to dry skin. As we age, oil and sweat glands dry up, resulting in thinner skin: skin loses its natural fat and elasticity), health conditions and climate like living in dry environments.
Skincare Routine for Combination Skin?
When thinking about your skincare routine and the products you will use, go for gentle products that can moisturise dry areas without creating more oiliness. Look for natural products and ingredients that are non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog your pores. Don’t shy away from oils or mattifying products but divide and conquer, get on the idea that you might not be using all the products in the same areas of your face and that’s ok!
STEP 1: ABSOLUTE CLEANSING OIL (am/pm)
Yes I know, what we are thinking, an oil? YES! As the Oil Cleansing Method suggests, one of the most basic chemistry principles is that like dissolves like which means that the best way to dissolve oils is using other, natural oils. Our Absolute Cleansing Oil contains an innovative blend of skin loving plant oils to restore balance and cleanse your skin, gently and effectively. Kinvara Absolute Cleansing Oil is the perfect cleanser for all ages and skin types, including oily, sensitive and dry skin. It will also effectively remove all your make-up, including waterproof mascara in less than 60 seconds! This aromatic, creamy cleanser will transform your cleansing routine into a mini-facial.
HOW TO USE IT:
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Warm 1-2 pumps of oil between your hands
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Massage onto to a damp face to cleanse and remove make-up, even mascara
- Wash-off with a hot face cloth for a gorgeous clean feel
STEP 2: EYE WOW! EYE SERUM (am/pm)
One of the areas that can suffer from dryness is the under eye skin, which can also happen to be very delicate. Kinvara Eye Wow! Eye Serum contains 12 plant extracts blended together in a cold process formula to help target dark circles, fine lines, puffiness, hydration and comfort. These carefully selected ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, Cucumber and Baobab, help this serum to absorb quickly, moisturise the thinner, drier skin of the eye area and produce noticeable results.
HOW TO USE IT:
- Turn the bottle upside down so gravity can feed the rollerball with the serum liquid. Do this before applying to each eye.
- From the outer eye, roll Eye Wow towards the inner corner of the eyelids, top and bottom.
- Allow to absorb or gently pat. The rollerball delivers the gel consistently so there is no need to rub in.
- Allow 2 weeks of daily usage to see full effects
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STEP 3: 24HR ROSEHIP FACE SERUM
Paying attention to the ingredients in your skincare products is also an essential step in working with your combination skin. Adding a nourishing serum to your skincare routine can also help to pack moisture into the drier areas of your face. Our 24Hr Rosehip Face Serum is a mega hydrator and can be used all over your face and neck, both morning and evening. Key ingredients to note in our serum are rosehip oil, sea buckthorn and aloe vera extracts that themselves have been shown to help improve cell regeneration.
HOW TO USE IT:
You know your skin better and you should play around with the quantities of product you apply. Kinvara’s 24hr Rosehip Face Serum is non-comedogenic meaning it can be applied to dry and oily areas of your skin.
- Apply 1-2 pumps and use your fingertips to gently massage into cleansed, damp skin (If your skin feels a bit sticky then you know you’re using too much).
- This serum is so hydrating that you shouldn't need to add a layer of moisturiser over it but you know your skin best so feel free to layer or not depending on the situation. You can apply 1 pump if you’re using a moisturiser after or 2 pumps if this will be the last step of your routine.
STEP 4: ACTIVE ROSEHIP DAY CREAM (am)
A key step in helping your dry skin areas is moisturisers. Moisturisers rehydrate the top layer of skin cells and seal in the moisture to reduce TEWL (TransEpidermal Water Loss).
Most of the time, a good moisturiser (such as our Active Rosehip Day Cream) can help support a healthy skin barrier which in turn can help to alleviate some of the discomfort that comes with dry skin. The oily areas of your skin might also like Kinvara’s Active Rosehip Day Cream as it absorbs super fast leaving a matte finish and a beautiful velvety texture.
HOW TO USE IT:
- Apply to cleansed skin, on its own or layered over our 24HR Rosehip Face Serum for extra hydration.
Again, you know your skin better so feel free to play around with how much moisturiser you apply, our Day Cream goes a long way so we recommend starting with just a small blueberry size of cream.
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PM ROUTINE:
When talking about your night time routine, we recommend that you follow the same 3 first steps of your AM Routine but with the option of adding a Facial Oil. Kinvara’s Precious Facial Oil is a balanced blend of ultra moisturising plant oils and enriched with Bakuchiol, an innovative, multitasking plant-based retinol. Daily use will leave your skin feeling cared for and conditioned. It should be part of your self-care routine if you are looking for firmer, clearer, calmer skin.
HOW TO USE IT:
- Start by dispensing 2-3 drops from the pipette into your hands.
- Massaging onto your cleansed face. If you prefer, go in only on the dryer areas of your skin.
- This is the last step in your selfcare routine, so take as long as you can to enjoy the experience, this is your time.
References
Sharkey, L., 2020. Combination Skin? Here’s How to Identify and Create the Right Routine. [online] Healthline. Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/combination-skin#causes>
Kinvara Skin Care. 2022. How to Manage Very Oily Skin. [online] Available at: <https://www.kinvaraskincare.com/a/blog/how-to-manage-very-oily-skin>
Prager, M., n.d. Why Skin Oils are the Ultimate Environmental Protector. [online] Dr Michael Prager. Available at: <https://drmichaelprager.com/why-skin-oils-are-the-ultimate-environmental-protector/>
Kinvara Skin Care. 2021. Dry Skin vs Dehydrated Skin: How To Recognise The Difference. [online] Available at: <https://www.kinvaraskincare.com/a/blog/dry-skin-vs-dehydrated-skin-how-to-recognise-the-difference>
Ferreira, M. and Bennett, E., 2022. Everything You Need to Know About the Oil Cleansing Method. [online] Healthline. Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/health/oil-cleansing-method#benefits>
