Oily and combination skin present a particular challenge for many of us: While some areas of the face quickly become shiny, others feel dry or tight.
For a long time, the motto was: If the skin produces too much oil, you have to remove the oil. Today we know: This is exactly what can throw the skin out of balance.
Even oily skin can be dehydrated. And if the skin barrier is weakened, the skin loses water more easily and often tries to compensate for this loss by increasing sebum production.
The solution, therefore, lies in restoring the skin's natural balance. If the skin produces too much sebum, it quickly becomes shiny and prone to blemishes. But oily skin is not automatically well supplied, as it often lacks moisture. The key is the right balance between cleansing and care.
How to recognize oily and combination skin
Oily skin produces more sebum than other skin types. This can lead to a shiny complexion, visible pores, and a tendency to blemishes.
Combination skin, on the other hand, combines different needs: While the so-called T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) tends to be shiny and produce excess sebum, the cheeks can simultaneously be dry or dehydrated.
It is precisely this combination that makes care demanding: the skin needs lightness on the one hand, and sufficient moisture on the other.
The right skincare routine for your skin type
A common skincare mistake with oily or blemished skin is trying to remove as much as possible, for example, by using
- harsh cleansing
- frequent exfoliation
- drying products
- many different active ingredients at the same time.
What provides a less shiny complexion in the short term can strain the skin barrier in the long term. Because the natural protective layer of our skin fulfills an important task: it keeps moisture in the skin and protects it from external influences.
Healthy skin therefore does not need as little care as possible, but the right care.
Skin barrier first: Bringing the skin back into balance
Even oily and combination skin benefit from a routine that supports the skin barrier. The most important principle is:
Cleanse gently, replenish moisture, do not overstress the skin.
1. Gentle cleansing
Good cleansing removes dirt, excess sebum, and residue without stripping the skin of its protective lipids.
Skin that feels tight after cleansing is therefore not automatically a sign that the skin is particularly clean. Often, it rather shows that the skin needs support.
2. Moisture is essential even for oily skin
Oily skin needs moisture. This idea may seem contradictory at first, but it is crucial: If the skin lacks water, it can become unbalanced and react more sensitively.
Light textures with moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid can help to hydrate the skin without unnecessarily weighing it down.
3. Fewer products, more consistency
Especially with combination skin, the desire quickly arises to treat each skin zone differently. Often, however, a simple, consistent routine is the better way.
A manageable routine that supports the skin can achieve more in the long term than a constantly changing interplay of many products.
