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Your Skin Type is: Combination Dry

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An overview of Combination Dry skin with Nerida Joy

A combination/dry skin is more dry than oily. A few blackheads can be found, mostly on the nose and chin rather than the forehead and cheeks. Pores are usually on the smaller side. As with a true dry skin, you may notice some pigmentation issues such as brown spots or sun damage.

As with a true oily skin, this oily area can often be shiny throughout the day, with a more slippery feel to it caused by an overproduction of sebum. Pores inside this area will be larger as well, and you’ll generally also see congestion and pimples – both surface-level pustules and the deeper, painful nodules of hormonal acne. Oily skin can often be dry on top and oily underneath, which happens when you use harsh, drying or stripping products to try and control the oil. If you’re seeing fine dehydration lines that look like wrinkles, it’s often a sign that you need to switch to a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and choose a daily skincare regimen designed to support your skin type.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What sub-conditions affect combination/dry skin?

Surface dryness, larger pores in the oily area by your nose and chin, congestion – especially food-related congestion – and milia. Also inflammation and ruddiness, capillary damage, eczema, dermatitis and rosacea. As with a true dry skin, you may experience some pigmentation issues such as brown spots or sun damage.

What are the three key things that will keep my skin looking healthy?

You always want to have a good cleanser that keeps the skin clean, soft and hydrated, a boosting and hydrating serum or moisturizer and a physical sunblock of at least SPF 40 to protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays that loosen the skin and cause sun damage.

Is there anything I should avoid?

It’s important not to over-exfoliate your skin by using strong acids or scrubbing granules. Keep your exfoliation to every 7–10 days and use a mild, non-irritating exfoliant that will gently buff the surface of the skin and absorb dead cells.

Your skin will be mostly dry to the touch, with oily areas only around the nose and chin. Your pores will mostly be on the smaller size and your skin may feel in need of nourishment and protection.

A combination skin is considered a ‘normal’ skin. And because it’s mostly dry, you’ll have naturally small pores and very few blackheads.

  • A good, non-drying cleanser to keep the skin clean, soft and supple.
  • A treatment serum or moisturizer to brighten, tighten and tone the skin
  • A nourishing occlusive or emollient moisturizer
  • A good eye cream to protect and hydrate the eye area
  • A non-drying physical sunblock

A non-foaming gel, gelée or milk cleanser – something that thoroughly cleans your skin without stripping it, and leaves it feeling soft and supple.

Being thorough with your cleansing is important for every skin type. Make sure to massage your cleanser into your face for a good 30 seconds, particularly in the evenings, and then remove it with a clean, warm, wet washcloth.

A collagen sheet mask that will have a boosting effect, or a mask with brightening ingredients such as ginseng or suma extract. Hydrating sheet masks are also good.

A peptide serum is a fantastic choice because peptides signal your cells to produce more collagen, while simultaneously hydrating and smoothing the skin. Hyaluronic acid is another good ingredient to look for because it coats the cells and stops moisture from escaping.

To feed and brighten your skin, look for serums containing arnica, kojic acid or licorice extract, which all support the capillaries; or vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, increases cell turnover and acts as an extra level of protection against sun and other environmental damage.

Finally, a serum with active ingredients will boost the production of collagen and elastin, building a strong support system for your skin. AHAs are wonderful for shrinking pores, tightening and toning the skin, and improving congestion. Retinol buffers back the skin’s outer layer, improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Again, look for something with hydrating hyaluronic acid or brightening arnica, licorice extract or vitamin C. If you’re not using actives in your serum, add a good AHA or retinoid treatment moisturizer.

In the winter months, choose a medium-occlusive moisturizer that forms a light film on the skin to protect it and keep it hydrated, and switch to a lighter, more emollient formulation for the summer.

The skin here is really delicate, so apply an eye cream or gel that every morning and evening to keep it hydrated.

Massaging in your products with both circular and upward motions will help improve your circulation, bring oxygen to the blood and stimulate muscle tone. These movements are also great for boosting and lifting the skin

Because massage is so important for drier skin types, gua sha and cryo sticks really help you get those lifting movements that will keep the skin looking pretty, healthy and dewy. You can also use a hand-held muscle-stimulating device to further lift and tone the skin.

A monthly facial is wonderful because lots of regular massage with lifting, upward motions helps keep your skin looking healthy and pretty. If you can, try to get a facial every four to eight weeks.

Boosting antioxidant treatments are great for addressing sun damage and brown spots. You can also choose treatments that use stronger retinoids or AHAs than you’ll find in your homecare products, which will help keep the skin tight and toned and boost the production of collagen and elastin.

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Combination Dry Skin Examples

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"When you understand your skin, you know how to change it."

Understanding your skin means understanding your habits – everything from diet to stress impacts your skin’s health. Lifestyle choices are the foundation of lasting change.

01 Cleansers/Toners

This skin type often has blackheads around the nose and chin, so focus on these areas during nightly cleanse. Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and massage in circular motions for a least 30 seconds. Remove with warm, wet washcloth to keep skin clean, soft and supple.

If you wear sunscreen and makeup daily, cleanse twice a night – first with a washcloth, then rinse the second cleanse with lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, especially if your skin is prone to redness or heat; lukewarm water is always best to protect the skin barrier and maintain balance.

02 Treatment Serums/Eye Care

For combination dry skin, active serums are best used in the evening. Alternating retinoids three nights a week with AHAs on the remaining four nights works well when layered under a night moisturizer. This approach supports brightening, hydration, wrinkle reduction, and maintaining smaller pores.

In the morning, protective serum such as a mild vitamin C provides antioxidant support and a light layer of hydration before applying moisturizer.

An eye gel or cream should be used both morning and night to protect the delicate eye area and help prevent premature lines.

03 Moisturizers/Suncare

Dry combination skin needs a moisture that hydrates and protects. A good formula will leave the skin feeling supple and smooth, while creating a protective layer to prevent surface dryness.

Daily sun protection is essential year-round. Apply a generous amount before going outside. Physical sunscreens, containing zinc and titanium dioxide, are ideal – they are less irritating and help soothe and calm the skin.

04 Exfoliators/Masks/Targeted Treatments

Exfoliating once a week or every 10 days is sufficient for combination dry skin. Use a gentle exfoliant with mild fruit acids like glycolic acid or natural enzymes such as papaya to help remove dead skin without irritation.

Avoid harsh or abrasive exfoliants, as they can irritate and dry out the skin.

If you use active ingredients daily (such as exfoliating serums), you may not need to exfoliate as often.

Hydrating and calming masks are ideal for this skin type. For more mature skin, a mask with a low concentration of retinoids can provide firming and lifting benefits.

05 Understanding Lifestyle Choices

• Protect your skin from sun exposure.
• Be consistent with your daily skincare routine.
• Avoid alcohol, as it can dehydrate the skin.
• Include bioflavonoids in your diet to support healthy circulation.
• Eat a nutrient-rich diet that includes omega fatty acids.

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