Combination Skin Care, Diagnosing Combination Skin

If certain areas of your face are oily and other areas are dry, you have combination skin. In such skin types, skin feels normal or dry on most days over most of the face. The oily skin would appear to be concentrated across the forehead and nose and chin areas in the T-zone.

Diagnosing combination skin You will know you have combination skin if, Some areas of your face feel taut after washing. These areas may also look dull and flaky or feel rough to the touch. Other areas, such as the T-zone, will have skin that looks shiny, feels greasy, and is prone to pimples and blackheads. Your face is shinier on the nose and forehead within 20 min after washing with a good face wash. Your skin type may be oily-to-combination type, where the forehead and nose appear oily as compared to the rest of the skin, or normal-to-combination type where only your nose is shiny and has oily skin while your forehead appears to be almost normal in skin type.
What causes combination skin? There can be several factors that contribute to the formation and development of combination skin type. These primarily include hormonal factors, especially those during menstruation and in women on oral contraceptives, stress, improper diet, inadequate diet and poor water intake. Other contributory factors include environmental humidity fluctuations and pollution. Managing combination skin Combination skin will need to be managed as you would treat two different skin types. Some simple ways to manage combination skin include: Cleansing: By using a mild cleanser on your entire face a maximum of 2 times a day. Moisturizing: The dry skin areas only. Balancing: By using products that will normalize skin, such as those that contain Alpha-hydroxy acids or retinols. Control: By using oil-absorbing make-up on the oily areas of your face to control shine. Try frequent moisturizing of the dry skin areas, usually covering the cheeks, mouth and eyes. Moisturizing should be done at least twice in the day and also at bedtime. The oily skin also requires moisturizing but with a light moisturizer and at a frequency of once- or twice-daily application. Astringent should be used only once in a week over the oily areas and not at all over the dry skin. It is also important to choose a non-abrasive astringent solution so that sensitive skin is not damaged. The ideal way to care for combination skin would also include the use of two types of masks once a week. A mask for oily skin would need to be applied over the T-zone, and a mask specifically for dry skin should be used on the outer areas. A clay mask can be used over the oily areas and a moisturizing mask over the dry areas. A good homemade moisturizing mask can be made with some cooked oatmeal with a teaspoon of olive oil mixed in. Lightly rub the oatmeal paste over the dry skin areas for 5 min while using gentle and circular strokes and rinse with water. It is important to bear in mind that whatever skin care routine you use, the outcome should be a refreshed and rejuvenated feeling in the treated skin. While applying make-up, it is best to choose a liquid foundation that has specially been designed for combination skin type. An antibacterial soap or face wash would become an essentiality especially in summer so that bacterial growth and infection can be kept in check. An oil-inhibiting moisturizing lotion would be best for the skin, especially in humid and hot climate conditions. Silicone-oil-containing moisturizers are ideal if you want a hydrating effect without oiliness as they are light enough on the face and provide a silky moisturized effect. Toner should be used only over the T-zone and avoided over the dry areas. A gentle toner would also prevent any rebound oiliness. While exfoliating, special attention should be paid to the T-zone. Gel masks may be more suitable for combination skin type.
Diet in combination skin It is important to consume a balanced diet when trying to manage combination skin. Due attention should be paid to deriving adequate amounts of vitamins A, C and E, and minerals such as selenium and zinc which have antioxidant activity at the skin level to enhance Collagen repair and promote skin healing. Essential fatty acids have a beneficial effect on skin as they help combat moisture loss that would otherwise cause dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Do nots in combination skin Care should be focused on not exacerbating the oiliness or dryness of combination skin. Avoid overwashing as this will cause excessive dryness in the already dryness-prone skin of the cheeks and excessive stripping of oil from the T-zone can cause a rebound in secretion of sebum, resulting in increased oiliness. It would be ideal to use products that are specially designed for combination skin instead of mixing and matching products for dry and oily skin. Heavy moisturizers are best avoided as they will be too lubricating for the T-zone and can disrupt whatever minimum balance existing in the skin. A light, non-pore-blocking lotion would be a better alternative. Do not use harsh astringents or products containing alcohol and acetone over the oily areas of the face. This can cause severe damage to skin and make it prone to early development of wrinkles and clogged pores. Skin treatments such as bleaching can have variable after-effects on combination skin as they may not be designed specifically for combination skin type. It would be better to use natural bleaching agents such as lime juice and honey wherever possible. While choosing a bleach, it may be better to opt for one that contains oxygen instead of more stronger chemical bleaching agents or hydroquinone.
Exercise and its role in combination skin care Exercise is essential in developing and maintaining healthy skin in individuals with any skin type. Appropriate exercise practised for the adequate duration can have highly beneficial effects by increasing blood circulation and release of endorphins—the happy chemicals. An improved mood would also alter the chemical balance in skin and make it appear healthier and wholesome. Exercise performed outdoors would expose the skin to fresh air and cooler temperatures and facilitate the natural processes of healing and skin rejuvenation to occur faster. Drinking plenty of water during exercise and otherwise will result in washing out harmful chemicals and toxins from the body and aid healthier skin. It is important to remember that skin undergoes changes with changes in the life phases and events and even with minor variations in sleep and diet patterns. A balanced and healthy lifestyle is key to having healthy skin at all ages of life.