Many people have combination skin, especially on their face. Combination skin is sometimes oily, sometimes, dry, and most often occurs in different places. For example, the skin on the nose is oily, while the skin on the cheeks is dry. In other cases, the skin may begin dry and become oily by the end of the day.

The natural oil in our skin comes from sebaceous glands. Normally, sebaceous glands produce enough natural oil to keep our skin from drying out, but a variety of factors such as frequent showering or bathing, dry heat, and sun damage can work against these glands and cause a problem. On the other side of the spectrum, sebaceous glands can sometimes be overactive, creating excessive oil that accumulates on and under the skin, clogging pores and causing acne.

If you have combination skin, the best thing you can do is find a skin care regimen that addresses both of the problems. You will probably want to begin by exfoliating your skin. Products that contain alpha hydroxy acids will help to normalize the skin by removing dead skin cells. The skin that is left behind will appear cleaner, smoother, and younger looking. Using a gentle exfoliate at least once a week can greatly improve the skin’s appearance and overall health.

You will also want to use a mild cleanser to wash your face in the morning and at night. Many companies now make cleansers specifically for combination skin. If you have combination skin, these products will be much better to use than cleansers that are geared towards oily or dry skin.

However, cleaning your face with a cleanser alone will probably not correct the skin’s condition entirely. You will also have to address the dry parts of your skin with a good moisturizer. Moisturizing creams that contain Vitamin A and Vitamin E will be especially helpful, as these creams can usually help control acne at the same time.

On the oils parts of your skin, you will want to use a good toner or topical cream that contains an acne fighting ingredient, such as benzoyl peroxide. You will want to watch the results very carefully, because many of the ingredients in acne treatment medications remove natural oils, but dry out skin in the process. If this is occurring, begin hydrating those areas with the same moisturizing cream that you are using on the rest of your face.

Combination skin is a very common problem and can be easily addressed with all of the options available today. Don’t be afraid to try new products and new skin regimens until you find what works for you.

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