What causes combination skin?

Combination skin is a skin type characterised by areas where skin is oily and other areas where skin is dry. It’s common in those with combination skin to have oiliness in the T-zone, the section of the face which spreads across the forehead and down the center of the face, and drier skin on the cheeks1, though it doesn’t have to follow this specific pattern to be considered combination skin. In this article, find out what causes combination skin, how to tell if you have it, and how to care for it.

Combination skin is a skin type, not a skin condition, and is commonly due to genetics and hormones rather than a specific external cause¹. Sebaceous glands in the skin secrete an oily substance called sebum that helps keep skin hydrated. These glands are more common across the chin, nose and forehead, which is why people with combination skin experience an oily T-zone.

In addition to naturally having a combination skin type, here are some factors that can contribute to skin becoming more oily or dry:

• Weather: Weather can play a large part in skin’s response. Different climates, like cold or humid air, can make it easier or harder for your skin to stay hydrated, triggering a response from your oil glands to keep the skin balanced and protected².
  
• Age: The skin naturally produces less oil as we age, which can lead to dry skin³.
  
• Stress: Lack of sleep or stress can also make combination skin more problematic since stress can stimulate extra oil production⁴.
  
• Dehydration: having dry and oily skin can occur if you’re dehydrated⁵.
  
• Improper Skincare Products: Picking the right skincare for your skin type is important. A lot of skincare products and soaps contain harsh ingredients that can strip moisture from the skin and potentially damage the skin's moisture barrier⁶. This can make your skin have to work even harder to keep the skin in equilibrium.

Though it may seem like the answer to an oily T-zone is to clean away the excess oil, excess oil production can actually be your skin's response to dryness⁷.
 
People with combination skin want to care for their dry skin while also managing their oily skin. For this reason, look for skincare formulas that support the skin’s moisture barrier.

If you are concerned that your combination skin has an underlying medical cause, be sure to talk to a trusted healthcare provider for further guidance.

A telltale sign that you might have combination skin is if you notice different skin textures across your face. If your cheeks feel dry or rough from dryness and your T-zone looks shiny or is prone to breakouts, you likely have combination skin.

If you are unsure of your skin type, a simple trick is to wash your face and wait. See how your skin behaves without the interference of any products for 20-30 minutes after washing and observe if areas of your face start to feel dry or begin to feel oily or look shiny.

To identify dry and oily zones you can lookout for a few key characteristics:

Oily areas will usually appear across the T-zone but can appear in less common areas of the face. You will notice shininess, larger pores8 and may find you are more prone to acne in these areas.  

Dry skin may appear flaky, rough, or dull and may feel itchy from dryness.  

In some cases, signs of combination skin can be influenced by external factors. Using suitable products for your skin type and avoiding external stressors can help reduce the oiliness while keeping the dry areas hydrated.

For other cases, however, combination skin is genetic⁹, which means in these instances you can only manage combination skin and not outright change your skin type.

Here are some ways to help care for combination skin:

Harsh ingredients that strip the skin of its natural oil can compromise the skin’s moisture barrier and lead to dryness as well as certain areas of the skin producing extra oil. Look for skincare products that don’t contain drying alcohols or other harsh chemicals. Look for words like ‘hypoallergenic’, ‘fragrance-free’ on product labels, and products that are formulated to be suitable for use on sensitive skin.

Eucerin’s Hydrating Cleansing Gel formulated with Hyaluronic Acid helps to support the skin’s natural moisture balance while gently removing dirt, oil, and makeup. Eucerin Face Gentle Cleansing Hydrating Cleansing Gel is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. The clinically proven formula is free of oil, alcohol, soap, and parabens, as well as fragrances.  

Some skincare products like moisturizers and sunscreens can clog pores, particularly when skin is already oily and prone to clogged pores. When looking for a nourishing moisturizer or sunscreen, look for products that are non-comedogenic (meaning they won’t clog pores) in order to benefit from hydration without leading to breakouts.

For combination skin that may be experiencing uneven skin tone, Eucerin’s Radiant Tone product line features non-comedogenic skincare products specially formulated to visibly reduce the look of persistent dark spots due to sun exposure, aging, and imperfections when used regularly.*

*Excludes Radiant Tone Cleansing Gel and Radiant Tone Eye Cream. Limit collective use of Radiant Tone products to four times a day.

For sunscreens for combination skin, all of the sunscreens in the Eucerin Sun range are non-comedogenic, offering several options for suitable sunscreen for oily skin. If your skin is oilier, try Eucerin Clear Skin SPF 50 Face Sunscreen for broad-spectrum sun protection with a dry-touch, invisible finish. If your skin is drier, try Eucerin Advanced Hydration Ultra-Light PF 50 Face Sunscreen for broad-spectrum sun protection and all-day hydration*

*for sun protection use as directed.

Though it may feel overwhelming to be caring for two skin types at once, focus on supporting areas of dry skin first as these can be vulnerable due to skin moisture barrier damage. Once you’ve found what works for your dry skin, you may notice improvement to the oily parts. It can also be helpful to use products formulated for oily skin only on your T-zone or other specific oily areas to avoid stripping moisture from already-dry skin.

Dehydration from either not drinking enough water or from external factors like the weather can cause variability in your skin’s moisture balance⁵. Therefore adding hydration can help the oily parts at the same time as soothing the dry parts. Don’t be afraid to add moisture to oily skin.

Eucerin’s Immersive Hydration line includes products with clinically proven formulas to provide deep hydration within surface layers of the skin to give skin a smoother appearance. Developed with a unique Multi-Weight Hyaluronic Acid-enriched formula, these products use two sizes of Hyaluronic Acid molecules and provides comprehensive hydration.

Since dry skin can be caused by damage to the skin’s moisture barrier, look for products that can help restore moisture to the skin and support the moisture barrier for smooth, healthy-looking skin.

While there are many options to help support combination skin, there are also stressors which can exasperate it. Here are some tips for what to avoid if you don’t want to make dry or oily skin worse:

Though it can be tempting to fuss over problem areas, touching your face, particularly if you have oily, acne-prone skin, can make things worse¹⁰. The best thing you can do between skincare applications is leave it alone.

Normal bar soaps can have a high pH that can irritate the skin and cause dryness¹⁰.

Gentle exfoliation can be helpful for dry skin, but exfoliating too aggressively or too often can have the opposite effect. Using a gentle exfoliating cleanser like Eucerin Radiant Tone Cleansing Gel can help to remove built-up layers of dead skin while being gentle enough for daily use.

Hot showers can strip the skin and compromise the skin’s moisture barrier³. Keep your showers lukewarm, particularly when washing your face, or wash your face separately at the sink.

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to:

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin 
2. Improve the appearance of the skin 
3. Achieve healthier-looking skin