Saving Face
Updated: Dec 28, 2022
Combination skin. This is where the facial surface is a combination of both oily and dry. A "shiny" overall look on your forehead, around your nose, and between your bottom lip and your chin, is surrounded by a terribly dry feeling like your skin will up crinkle up and peel off. As there is no one product that is right for everyone it is usually a case of trial, error, and expense before you have your facial palette under control.
For some, determining whether you have combination skin is obvious. The problem then arises as to which sector you treat, the oily or the dry. The best way to determine, which regime is right for you, is to first, relax. Statistics have shown that combination skin is actually quite normal. There are a few common causes that once you become aware of, finding the product of your choice becomes much easier. Now grab a big glass of water, also the best elixer, and read on.
To understand what is going on, the oily portion of your skin is where the pores are largest, and become easily clogged with sweat and bodily secretions. The skin feels greasy and has this perpetual shine to it that can be most annoying, especially in photos. It's good to inject at this point that both men and women have combination skin and constantly bounce back and forth between finding products to address both conditions.
Always begin your regime by washing your face. It's refreshing to start the day off and important to wash away all of the grim after a long day, just before retiring. There are however two schools of thought. One says you shouldn't wash your face too much as you will dry it out even more; to let the natural oils build up. Obviously, this applies to the dry portion. The other thought is, soap is the very last thing you should wash your face with. A soap that is good for your body can spell disaster for your face. Nonetheless, I highly recommend a face wash specifically for the face for a clean feeling.
For best results begin by splashing your face with warm water. Next, turn the hot water up a little and soak your washcloth, wring it dry and spread it across your face, and close your eyes. Ahhhh. Now proceed to gently wash your face. Hint: I use my washcloth to gently wash at the end of the day to get a little exfoliation, In the morning I wash my face using my hands. Adjust the temperature of your water to cool and rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse
Fortunately, there are an array of products on the market, covering the price range spectrum. I love the scent of some of the higher-priced products, composed of exotic plants from far-away places, with properties and a claim to work fast. In this instance, aromatherapy plays a part in soothing the mental anxiety and discomfort I feel from having one portion of my face dry and the other oily. Having tried a few I've found that some fragrant products actually do what they propose to do, while others are just about the hype. At this point, it becomes a question of on what do I want to spend my money. Price being no object, after all, this is your face we're talking about, here are some of the tried and true.
In order to really combat combination skin you must gently treat each section individually with its own specific product. For example, I like to dab a little witch hazel on the oily areas of my skin with a cotton ball. While tempted to use something stronger, alcohol is too strong and will only cause the oily to become oiler. Purpose defeated.
After rinsing your face, always pat your face dry (never rub).
Applying a moisturizer is a must.
Click the image to learn more about the benefits of each product. Which one is appealing to you?
Also, consider some of the lesser-known brands on the market whose benefits are scientifically amazing. Take, for example,
GLOWBIOTICS MD, Probiotic Instant Refreshing Gel Hydrator Soothe Irritated and Inflamed Skin For Oily Combination Acne Prone and Sensitive Skin Types
According to Co-Founder, CEO Christine Watson, the gel formula in Glowbiotics relieves the skin of tightness, often thought to dry up the oily spots but dries out the skin. Lightweight and cooling, the gel formula hydrates the skin without a gooey, sticky residue, as it absorbs beneath the surface of the skin for a natural healing fresh feeling.
With the proper skincare routine, practiced consistently, it won't be long before your combination skin has transformed into a fresh, even tone, leaving you one less thing to worry about. Check this off of your list.
Writer's tip: My age-old tip is Vaseline. A lot of people cringe when I say this but it is absolutely great for removing make-up and somehow acts like a ying and a yang when it comes to my combination skin. I still use the recommended products but not before applying a dab of Vaseline first to set the stage.
written and reviewed by Yvonne DeLaney Mitchell
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