Combination skin, the fence-sitter of skincare types.
Finding the perfect skincare regime can often feel like a fruitless task, especially when your skin feels entirely different from one day to the next. If you suffer from dry patches on your cheeks on Monday, followed by oily breakouts on your T-Zone come Wednesday, your consultant dermatologist or resident skincare specialist will likely use those incredibly frustrating two words to describe your skin-tuation.
Combination. Skin.
Fear not, my combination skin comrades – I’m here to explain why it’s not actually that bad.
Firstly, it’s important to understand that the spectrum of possible skin types is almost infinite. In fact, according to Script Skincare, when you factor in the many other components that make up your specific skin profile, the possible permutations jump up to a total of 13,440 possible skin profile combinations.
When you think about it this way, we practically all have some form combination skin, and the way we take care of it is wholly dependent on a day-to-day, season-to-season basis. However, the concept of owning fifteen different moisturisers to switch out on a whim is not only daunting, but frankly impossible.
We spoke to Dr. Marco Nicoloso from the London and Dubai-based Ouronyx clinic to find out his top tips on how to protect and nourish your combination skin this winter.
What is combination skin?
“Combination skin is when you have oily skin in some areas, and normal to dry skin in other areas - which is probably the most common skin type. Generally, our T-Zone is more prone to being oily, where as other areas such as the cheeks can become drier and more sensitive.”
Are those with combination skin resigned to mixing and matching moisturisers, or is there a better way?
“Using a toner with glycolic or salicylic acid in the oiliest areas of your face is great for acne-prone combination skin” he advises. “This, followed by a thin and buildable moisturiser will prevent you from overloading your skin whilst ensuring it remains hydrated”.
What texture and ingredients should combination skin types be looking for in their moisturisers?
Nicoloso explains, “It’s really important to moisturise properly during the winter, without over-doing it. A great ingredient is vitamin B3, as well as hyaluronic acid. Personally, I like to have a moisturiser that’s not too thick and is therefore buildable. Something like the Obagi Hydrate Luxe Moisture Rich Cream is great for staying super hydrated in the winter. SkinBetter Science’s Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment is also fantastic, and better for more sensitive skin”.
“SPF is always important”, he stresses. “The sun can damage our skin every day, no matter the weather. Wearing SPF 30 daily, preferably without chemicals to reduce inflammation, is an essential.”
See our top 10 winter-ready moisturisers for combination skin below
Best face moisturisers to soothe dry skin
Best anti-ageing eye creams and treatments for a more youthful look
Best ceramide-focused skincare for a supple, smooth complexion
Best cannabis skincare: CBD and hemp products for inflammation, acne and anti-ageing
Best retinol skincare products for an overnight, anti-ageing reboot
Peptides in skincare guide: What are the benefits and the best peptide products to buy
Glossier Priming Moisturiser Balance
Following the success of Glossier’s cult favourite Priming Moisturiser, everyone’s favourite brand for gorgeous aesthetics and quality released an ultra-special new version specifically for us combination skin types. Retaining its buildable and silky-smooth texture, the main difference in this moisturiser is that it has a gel-cream consistency formulated to balance oily skin without drying it out.
A moisturiser that reduces shine, absorbs quickly into the skin, and doesn’t clog your pores? It’s the full package. Balanced in both name and nature, this moisturiser will help you to step out of the combination skin grey area with ease.
Buy now £23.00, Glossier
Eucerin Ultra-Sensitive Soothing Care Cream
If your combination skin sees more dry days than oily, this Eucerin Ultra-Sensitive Soothing Care Cream might be your perfect match. Dry patches can flake and cause irritation, especially when exposed to brisk temperatures. This soothing moisturiser from the dermatologist-recommended skincare brand is the perfect way to protect and prevent stressed skin this winter.
With a highly-hydrating, emollient formula that absorbs quickly without feeling greasy, this moisturiser will live in your purse for the essential daily top-up. You can also be sure that further aggravation is not on the cards, with no preservatives, parabens, paraffins, fragrances, alcohol, colourants and emulsifiers in this game-changing formula.
Buy now £12.35, Superdrug
Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream
Youth to the People is quickly becoming a favourite amongst skinfluencers like Hyram. Renowned for the long list of superfood ingredients in every product (so long, in fact, it’s probably somehow at least three of your five a day…), YTP create carefully crafted formulas made from antioxidant-rich leafy greens like spinach and kale alongside a wealth of other beneficial vitamins.
The Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream also contains hyaluronic acid to further boost hydration and brighten up your skin during the harsh winter months.
Buy now £42.00, Cult Beauty
Paula’s Choice Essential Glow Moisturiser SPF 30
Upgrade your winter skincare arsenal with the Essential Glow Moisturiser from Paula’s Choice. Formulated to be a lightweight addition to your daily skincare routine, this product is packed full of plant and vitamin-powered antioxidants which not only brighten and rejuvenate tired, winter-struck skin, but act as natural anti-pollutants.
Key ingredients include liquorice root extract and kiwi (potent antioxidants with ever-important pollution neutralising powers), as well as non-fragrant argan oil – which is full of that nourishing vitamin E.
Buy now £34.00, Paula’s Choice
Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturiser
This skin saviour from Summer Fridays contains not one, not two, but three types of hyaluronic acid to improve skin tone and provide intense hydration for up to 72 hours - no greasy residue included. The oil-free formula prevents the problem T-Zone from becoming over-saturated and further acne prone, while hydrating the entire face to the max.
Buy now £41.00, Space NK
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 52ml
Developed with dermatologists for those of us looking for ingredient-rich, sensitive-skin approved moisturisers, this daily product from CeraVe is a winner. It’s formulated to protect the skin-barrier with three essential ceramides (fatty acids that hold the skin barrier together), hyaluronic acid (to seal the moisture in) and SPF (because it’s always important).
This go-to product from CeraVe also acts as a fantastic base for the application of an additional broad-spectrum sun cream.
Buy now £15.00, Boots
Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturiser
Protect your skin this winter in one fell swoop with this vitamin-rich dream from the New-York based cult favourite brand Malin + Goetz. A best-seller for the skincare specialists, this moisturiser contains a brilliant mixture of Vitamins E and B5, fatty acids, sodium hyaluronate and soothing chamomile oil to further nourish your winter parched skin.
Balancing for all skin types – but especially sensitive, combination skin – you could also pair this moisturiser with Malin + Goetz’s grapefruit face cleanser for a no-nonsense and nourishing routine.
Buy now £44.00, Space NK
Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Photo-Brightening Moisturiser Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Created by world-renowned dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone, this moisturiser from Perricone MD will cure your winter blues. The formula is made up of Vitamin C Ester – a derivative of vitamin C which is stabilised and is able to penetrate more deeply into the skin – as well as Alpha Lipoic Acid and a mineral-based sunscreen. What more could you ask for?
Perricone MD’s oil-free formulation is a perfect match for us combination skin sufferers who are desperate for vitamin-rich, deep hydration without the shine.
Buy now £61.00, Cult Beauty
SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment
As recommended by Dr. Nicoloso, this luxurious moisturiser from SkinBetter Science is a three-time skincare award-winner for a reason. First and foremost, all SkinBetter Science products are dermatologist tested, paraben free, fragrance free, dye free and cruelty free. Secondly, this product’s specific triple-action formula helps to balance the skin with essential barrier support through fatty acids and squalane, as well as a whole lotta hyaluronic acid.
That’s a lot of goodness in one bottle. However, because of its potency, this product requires a consultation with a dermatologist to determine whether it’s truly for you.
Buy now £125.00, Lumi Skin
Obagi Hydrate Luxe Moisture Rich Cream
Another highly recommended product from Dr. Nicoloso, Obagi’s Hydrate Luxe Moisture Rich Cream is a sure-fire solution to your cold weather skin struggles. Designed to be an overnight cream, this extremely hydrating product can nevertheless be used sparingly as a daily base. Formulated with Biomimetic Peptides, which mimic the skins naturally occurring peptides, this moisturiser’s ingredients work together improve the skin’s barrier and support cell repair.
You’ll feel wonderfully confident in facing the winter chill after a good night’s sleep in this super hydrating, replenishing and restorative moisturiser.
Buy now £67.00, Skin City
