Combination skin refers to skin that is oily on the T-zone (across the forehead and down the nose) and drier on the cheeks. It is often associated with teenagers and, while teenagers are certainly susceptible to combination skin thanks to the hormonal fluctuations in adolescence, it is a skin type that occurs in people of any age.
Skin can and does change, and your skin type isn’t set in stone. The aforementioned hormonal fluctuations, the ageing process, stress, diet and environmental aggressors all play their part in affecting what "type" of skin you have at any one time. However, many dermatologists believe that combination skin is currently the most prevalent type.
The temptation with combination skin is to only apply moisturiser to the cheeks or to avoid it altogether in the belief that it will make the face oilier. This can have the opposite effect with the skin producing more oil to overcompensate.
If you have combination skin, look for a lightweight moisturiser that will hydrate and protect the skin’s barrier. Ingredients to look for include moisturisers such as hyaluronic acid (which sounds aggressive but isn’t – it is a super-hydrator naturally present in the skin), glycerin and squalane; anti-inflammatories, such as niacinamide; and antioxidants, such as vitamin E, that protect the skin from external pollutants.
In testing, we used these moisturisers daily, applying them in the morning after cleansing. We looked for ones that provided hydration without overloading the oily T-zone. The aim is to soothe and moisturise the cheeks and calm the T-zone to prevent it becoming any oilier.
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When it comes to choosing a moisturiser for combination skin, look for one on the gentle side: avoid harsh ingredients that can irritate the skin and exacerbate both the oily and dry areas. Other key terms to check the packaging for are: "non-greasy", "oil-free" and "non-comedogenic" meaning the product won’t clog pores and exacerbate breakouts. While it comes down to personal preference, a lightweight formula often feels better on combination skin than heavy creams.
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The best moisturisers for combination skin for 2021 are:
- Best overall – La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+]: £17, Feelunique.com
- Best gel moisturiser – Clinique dramatically different hydrating jelly: £32, Boots.com
- Best for hydration – Glossier priming moisturiser balance: £23, Glossier.com
- Best for sensitive skin – Embryolisse hydra-mat emulsion: £25.50, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for under make-up – Cosrx oil-free ultra-moisturising lotion: £26.99, Feelunique.com
- Best budget moisturiser – CeraVe facial moisturising lotion SPF25: £12.99, Superdrug.com
- Best day moisturiser – Paula’s Choice clear moisturiser SPF30: £34, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for summer – Honest Beauty hydrogel cream: £25, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for shine control – Sam Farmer moisturiser: £6.50, Samfarmer.co
- Best for glowing skin – Organic Apoteke active face hydrating gel: £29.96, Organicapoteke.com
- Best for dull skin – Dr. Jart+ water drop hydrating moisturiser: £25.95, Parfumdreams.co.uk