Skincare for Combination Skin: How to Balance Oiliness and Dry Patches
Struggling with both oily and dry patches on your face? You’re not alone. Combination skin is one of the most common but misunderstood skin types. It’s also one of the trickiest to treat—especially if you're using products that are either too rich or too drying. It can leave your forehead shiny by lunchtime while your cheeks feel tight and flaky — a frustrating mix that needs a targeted skincare approach.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what combination skin is, how to care for it, and which natural, vegan-friendly skincare products can help restore balance.
What Is Combination Skin?
Combination skin typically features an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) with dry or normal areas on the cheeks and jawline. You may notice enlarged pores, occasional breakouts, and flaky patches—all at once. It’s like dealing with two skin types in one.
This skin type can be caused by genetics, hormonal shifts, seasonal changes, or using harsh products that strip the skin’s natural oils, causing oil glands to overcompensate.
Key Signs of Combination Skin
- Shiny or greasy T-zone, especially by midday
- Dry or tight-feeling cheeks
- Visible pores on nose and forehead
- Breakouts in oily areas, with flaking in dry areas
- Makeup that slides off the nose but clings to dry patches
- Sensitivity to certain products in some areas but not others
The Skincare Routine That Works for Combination Skin
When your skin has multiple personalities, one-size-fits-all products won’t cut it. Using products for oily skin may over-dry the sensitive parts, while rich creams for dryness may clog pores and trigger breakouts. The solution? A targeted, flexible skincare routine that can adapt to your skin’s changing needs.
Creating balance is the goal. You need gentle, natural products that hydrate dry areas without clogging oily ones. That’s where Conscious Skincare’s Enrich range comes in—formulated specifically for normal and combination skin.
1. Cleanse: Remove Impurities Without Stripping
Start your routine with a gentle cleanser that purifies without disrupting your skin’s balance. Look for a natural facial cleanser that removes excess oil and impurities without disrupting your skin barrier. Harsh foaming agents like SLS can strip the skin and make dry areas worse.
We recommend our Enrich Facial Cleanser – designed for normal to combination skin. It gently lifts away daily build-up using natural plant-based ingredients, without over-drying or clogging pores. Organic aloe vera and chamomile soothe irritation while removing excess oil.
2. Tone: Restore pH Balance
A good toner helps rebalance pH and refine the appearance of pores, especially around the oily T-zone. Avoid alcohol-based toners which can be overly astringent and worsen dryness.
Try Rose Hydrolat Toner – a natural floral water that soothes and hydrates while supporting skin regeneration. Rose water is known for its balancing properties, making it ideal for mixed skin types. [Source: NCBI]
Using a toner also helps prep your skin to absorb serums and moisturisers more effectively. We recommend our Organic Orange Blossom Toner—a natural hydrolat that calms and balances the skin without alcohol or synthetic ingredients.
3. Moisturise: Hydrate Where You Need It Most
Finding the best moisturiser for combination skin means looking for lightweight, non-comedogenic ingredients that still nourish.
Another key to moisturising combination skin is to apply the right product to the right areas. Choose a lightweight moisturiser that hydrates without heaviness, and use richer oils or creams only where needed (like dry cheeks or around the eyes).
Enrich Day Moisturiser is packed with plant actives like Organic Avocado Oil and Rose Geranium to nourish dry areas without overwhelming oily patches. It offers offers botanical hydration with jojoba oil and vitamin-rich extracts that won’t clog pores. For night-time care, layer with our Enrich Night Moisturiser for deep but balanced hydration. The perfect moisturising combination for normal and combination skin types.
4. Exfoliate Gently - and Not Too Often (around once a week)
Exfoliating helps unclog pores in the oily T-zone, but over-exfoliating can irritate the dry areas. Avoid harsh scrubs. Instead, use natural exfoliants like fruit enzymes or fine clays. Our Enrich Exfoliator helps to unclog pores by using biodegradable almond shell. Use it in oily areas while buffing away dry flakes gently.
5. Use Targeted Treatments - Target Trouble Spots
Combination skin often means treating breakouts and dryness at the same time. Use a spot treatment like natural tea tree or witch hazel gel on blemishes, and apply calming serums or oils to dry, reactive zones.
For blemish-prone and oily areas, explore our Neutralize Facial Serum – made with organic botanical actives to support clearer, calmer skin without harsh ingredients. On the dry side, try Certified Organic Rosehip Oil for skin nourishment and repair. [Source: PubMed]
If you experience hormonal breakouts or oil congestion, try applying a natural clay mask just to the T-zone once a week. Our Seaweed Face Mask is ideal—it uses bentonite clay and algae actives to draw out impurities without drying sensitive areas.
Best Natural Ingredients That Support Combination Skin
When choosing natural skincare for combination skin, look for ingredients that offer both soothing and balancing benefits. Look for botanical ingredients proven to restore harmony across varied skin zones:
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Aloe Vera – Soothes redness and hydrates dry areas. [Source]
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Witch Hazel – Gently tones and refines pores. [Source]
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Jojoba Oil – Mimics natural sebum, balancing both oily and dry zones. [Source]
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Chamomile – Anti-inflammatory and calming. [Source]
What to Avoid in Skincare for Combination Skin
Certain ingredients can exacerbate imbalance or cause irritation in combination skin. These include:
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Alcohol-based toners – over-dry the skin and disrupt barrier function
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Sulfates (e.g., SLS/SLES) – harsh detergents that strip skin's natural oils
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Artificial fragrance – can irritate sensitive areas and trigger inflammation
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Heavy mineral oils – may clog pores in the oily T-zone
For a full list of skincare ingredients to avoid, see our dedicated guide: Chemicals to Avoid.
Do’s and Don’ts for Combination Skin
Do:
- Use a balancing skincare range like Enrich
- Patch test new products before applying all over
- Hydrate consistently, even in oily areas
- Use targeted treatments instead of applying actives everywhere
Don’t:
- Over-exfoliate or use harsh foaming cleansers
- Skip moisturiser—this can trigger more oil
- Use the same product everywhere if different areas need different care
Our Top Picks for Combination Skin
FAQs: Combination Skin Routine
Can I use different products on different areas?
Yes! This is called ‘multimasking’ or ‘zoning’. For example, use our Enrich Moisturiser on cheeks and Neutralize Serum on your T-zone.
Should I use oil-based products?
Light oils like jojoba or rosehip can actually help regulate sebum. Our Organic Rosehip Oil is a great night-time option.
Do I need different skincare in summer and winter?
Yes. Seasonal changes affect how your skin behaves. Your combination skin routine may need adjusting as the seasons shift. In winter, focus on richer creams and oils to protect dry areas. For example, in winter, opt for richer hydration like our Enrich Night Moisturiser. In summer, lighter gels and oil-balancing toners may take priority.
Final Thoughts
Managing combination skin doesn't have to feel like an impossible balancing act. By choosing the right natural ingredients, avoiding common irritants, and tailoring your routine to your skin’s zones and needs, you can achieve calm, balanced, and beautiful skin.
By using gentle, targeted, and natural products designed to work in harmony with your skin’s needs, you can achieve lasting skin health. Conscious Skincare’s award-winning, cruelty-free range offers a customisable routine that simplifies this balancing act—and helps you glow naturally.
Start by building your base routine — cleanse, tone, hydrate — and adjust as your skin tells you what it needs. Conscious Skincare’s Enrich Range offers gentle yet effective solutions made specifically for normal to combination skin, so you can take care of every part of your face — not just the easy bits.
Explore the full Enrich range for combination skin and start building your personalised routine today!
By Rebecca Martin, founder of Conscious Skincare
