The Perfect Skincare Routine For Combination Skin: AM & PM Guide

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Combination skin can be tricky to manage because it has the best (and worst) of both worlds: oily in some areas, usually the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), and dry or normal in others, often the cheeks. Balancing these contrasting skin needs requires a well-tailored combination skin regimen that nourishes dry areas without overwhelming the oily parts. The key is to find lightweight, hydrating products that maintain the skin’s moisture balance while controlling excess oil.

In this blog, we’ll break down the ideal skincare routine for combination skin into an easy-to-follow morning (AM) and evening (PM) regimen. Let’s dive in and discover how to keep your combination skin healthy and radiant all day long!

Skincare Routine For Combination Skin

AM Routine

Your morning skin care for combination skin should focus on protecting your skin from environmental aggressors like UV rays and pollution while keeping it hydrated and shine-free throughout the day.

Step 1: Cleanser

Start your day with a gentle, hydrating face wash that doesn’t strip your skin of its natural oils but removes any overnight buildup. Look for cleansers with balancing ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide, which help to regulate oil production in the T-zone while keeping the drier areas moisturised.

Step 2: Toner

A lightweight, alcohol-free face toner can help balance the skin after cleansing. Toners containing hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin work wonders for combination skin, providing moisture to dry areas while reducing oiliness in the T-zone. Toners with gentle exfoliating acids, such as AHAs or BHAs, are also great for combination skin, as they help unclog pores and prevent breakouts in the oilier areas without irritating drier spots.

Step 3: Serum

Serums are a great way to target specific skin concerns. For combination skin, choose a serum with lightweight hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which locks in moisture without clogging pores. Additionally, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serum can help regulate oil production and keep your skin smooth and even-toned.

Step 4: Moisturiser

Choose a lightweight day cream that hydrates without feeling heavy or greasy. Gel-based or water-based moisturisers work well for combination skin, offering hydration for dry areas without making the oily zones worse. Look for ingredients like squalane or glycerin, which are non-comedogenic and provide moisture without clogging pores.

Pro Tip: Apply a rich face cream to dry areas like the cheeks and a lighter layer to the oily T-zone to ensure balanced hydration across your face.

Step 5: Sunscreen

Suncare is a non-negotiable part of your skincare routine, especially for combination skin. Opt for a lightweight broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Gel-based sunscreens work well for oily-prone areas, protecting your skin without leaving it greasy.

PM Routine

Your evening skin care for combination skin should focus on repairing and hydrating the skin after a long day of exposure to environmental factors. This routine is also a great time to introduce more potent treatments and products that help balance oil production and nourish the skin overnight.

Step 1: Double Cleanse

In the evening, start with a double cleanse. Use an oil-based cleanser or micellar water to remove makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil from the skin’s surface. Follow this with a gentle, water-based cleanser to remove any remaining dirt and impurities. This method ensures that your pores are thoroughly cleaned without over-drying the skin, which is especially important for combination skin.

Step 2: Exfoliation (Twice A Week)

Exfoliation is key to removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores, particularly in the oily areas of your face. However, you should avoid over-exfoliating, which can dry the skin and trigger more oil production. Use a gentle exfoliating gel two to three times a week. This helps to smooth skin texture, refine pores, and balance oil production without irritating.

Step 3: Toner

Like in the morning, a hydrating, balancing toner is essential to keep combination skin healthy and moisturised. Use the same alcohol-free toner to prep your skin for the next steps in your PM combination skin regimen.

Step 4: Treatment (Optional)

If you have specific skin concerns like acne, dark spots, or hyperpigmentation, the evening is the perfect time to use targeted treatments. Retinol, for example, can be great for combination skin, as it helps to reduce breakouts and promote cell turnover without being too harsh on dry areas. Start with a low concentration of retinol and gradually work your way up to avoid irritation. Spot treatments containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can also help target blemishes in oily zones.

Step 5: Serum

Apply a lightweight, hydrating face serum before your moisturiser. Hyaluronic acid serums are a great choice, as they lock in moisture and provide hydration to the skin without clogging pores or feeling heavy. For combination skin, using a serum at night helps to keep the dry areas nourished while balancing the oily T-zone.

Step 6: Moisturiser

In the evening, opt for a slightly richer moisturiser than you would use in the morning. Look for one that offers hydration and skin repair, especially if you’re using more intensive treatments like retinol. If your skin feels oily in the T-zone, you can continue using a gel-based moisturiser there, while applying a thicker cream to the drier areas.

Managing combination skin can feel challenging, but with the right skincare routine, you can strike the perfect balance between hydrating dry areas and controlling excess oil. The key is to choose lightweight, non-comedogenic products that nourish your skin without overwhelming it.

So, browse through a wide range of Lancôme skincare products and follow the above-mentioned skincare routine for combination skin to keep your complexion looking radiant and balanced all year round! You can also head to the E-Skin Expert tool to find your tailored skincare routine from the comfort of your home, without having to spend a penny. Additionally, explore our skincare beauty magazine to learn about skincare routines, makeup tips and more.