Best face wash for combination skin
Post contains affiliate linksDoes your t-zone get oily and your cheeks a little dry? If you can feel two or more textures on your skin then it’s a sign you have combination skin - just like me!
It can be tricky trying to figure out how to take care of your skin when different parts of your face have different needs and building a solid skincare routine with the right products is how you manage this.
I know what it’s like to have your foundation literally sliding off your nose by 11am and the skin by your upper cheek flaking off - it’s happened to me!
What is combination skin? What causes it?
Combination skin is when your skin has a mix of oily and dry characteristics. Usually the T-zone, your forehead - down your nose and chin are in the oily gang and your cheeks are in the dry gang. The main cause of combination skin - yep you guessed it, is overactive oil glands. These are usually found in the T-zone areas and can be caused by things like your genetics and your hormones. With oily skin comes blackheads, enlarged pores and a lovely shiny nose.
With dry skin you can expect to see flaking and areas of dry patches. My under eye areas can sometimes be dull and dry, even flaky - this usually happens in the winter. If your skin changes with the seasons it's another sign you have combination skin, members of this club tend to have oilier skin in the summer and drier skin in the winter.
Things to consider for combination skin
When it comes to finding the best face wash for combination skin, you should look for one that will reduce the oil in your T-zone areas but also leave your skin hydrated. A gentle face wash is great for combination skin, it should effectively get rid of your makeup and SPF whilst not over-drying the skin.
Using a face wash that has harsh and strong ingredients can actually strip your skin of its natural oils, which then in turn prompts your skin to produce even more oil. When used on the dry areas of your skin it can cause flaking. It’s all about striking that balance with the right face wash.
 | Ingredients to look out for |
|---|
Glycerin - attracts and retains moisture in the skin, keeps it hydrated without causing irritation
Salicylic acid - removes excess oil and dead skin cells
Niacinamide - minimizes enlarged pores and improves uneven skin tone
As a humectant, Glycerin is a substance that helps retain moisture, it has the fantastic ability to be able to grab moisture from the dermis (the lower level of the skin) to the epidermis (the upper layer of the skin). One of the best things about Glycerin is that it also creates a barrier between the skin and things that can harm it - the protective mama.
Salicylic acid, also commonly known as a BHA, has the ability to get deeper into your skin which makes it such a good ingredient to target skin concerns such as blackheads - which is common with an oily T-zone in combination skin.
Niacinamide is great for combination skin because it can reduce the oil production, which then in turn can also help reduce the appearance of large pores. Combining all these ingredients together targets the two different textures you may have with combination skin and helps keep your skin balanced.
What is the best face wash for combination skin?
My number one best face wash for combination skin is Natruium’s Niacinamide Cleansing Gelee 3%, which has these top 3 benefits:
Minimizes dark spots and uneven texture
Effectively removes dirt and makeup
Non-stripping
Naturium
Niacinamide Cleansing Gelee 3%
If you’re looking for any alternatives, I’d also recommend, Caudalie’s Vinopure Gel Cleanser which has the following benefits:
Removes excess oil
Gentle enough for daily use
Cleanses without drying the skin
Caudalie
Vinopure Gel Cleanser
Or Tatach’s Deep Cleanse which I’ve found works best for combination skin in the following ways:
Gently exfoliates
Non-comedogenic
Reduces excess sebum
Tatcha
The Deep Cleanse
Best face wash for combination skin conclusion
Knowing what face wash to use for your skin type can sometimes be a bit of trial and error especially with combination skin as you are trying to cater to more than one skin texture. Once you know what to generally look out for and the ingredients suited to combination skin, it becomes that little bit less daunting! As always you should patch test your skin and if your skin doesn’t agree - you know what to do, stop using it!
Remember - gentle cleansers that keep your skin hydrated but also effective at removing excess oil and dirt are the best face washes to use - your combination skin will thank you for it.
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