Combination Skin: 5 Signs You Have It + How To Care For It, From Experts

Think you might have combination skin? We tapped the experts for the most common signposts of this skin type, plus which products you should use to keep your combination skin glowing. 

So while you may notice patches of shine on your face, that doesn't necessarily mean you have run-of-the-mill oily skin. Rather, oily skin refers to shine all over: "When you have oily skin, it is something you will notice all over your face, as opposed to just one restricted area," celebrity esthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar adds. 

In terms of what causes combination skin, you can thank those familiar factors for any skin type—age, hormone fluctuations, and genetics (i.e., some people are just born with larger pores around the T-zone). Environment also plays a role, as drier weather can zap certain areas of moisture, while humid temperatures can increase sweat and oil on the T-zone.

Combination skin is quite common, and yet it's likely the most difficult to identify. While your skin can certainly fluctuate depending on your environment and lifestyle, there are some quintessential signs you're dealing with combination skin. Here, five ways to tell:

That said, here are some curated skin care tips for combination skin:

Regardless, make sure you're not overdoing it with the exfoliation: "Just because some areas of your face might produce excessive oil, that doesn't make your skin 'oily,' so one must make sure not to treat combination skin with harsh overdrying skin care products," Aguilar adds.

Again, it's whatever that looks like for you: Some throw a hydrating toner into the mix, while others love patting in a good niacinamide or hyaluronic acid serum. Just make sure to add in soothing, calming ingredients to balance out that exfoliation and allow the dry parts of your skin to feel equally loved. "Combination skin tends to be dehydrated," says Aguilar. "Applying soothing and hydrating skin care products is key to maintaining a healthy, balanced complexion." 

Application matters, too: According to Guidi, a light veil of moisture can keep your skin breathable during the day. Then at night, you can slather on the same formula in a thicker layer, as your skin needs a bigger dollop of moisture while you sleep1.

Niacinamide is also a great ingredient to watch, as it has oil-balancing capabilities without stripping the skin barrier—so it regulates sebum2 and improves hydration at the same time. In other words, a total win for combination skin.

So what does this look like in practice? Peruse the below:

Here, find our specific picks for this skin type.

Lightweight, yet hydrating—these are our favorite moisturizers (and find a full list here).

As mentioned, you'll want to grab a creamy foundation that melts into the skin without clogging up the pores. These few will do the trick:

Face wash can be tricky—you want one that deeply cleanses the skin and removes excess oil without disrupting the barrier. These picks put in the work, and you won't ever have that tight, post-wash feeling.

Gone are the days of highly astringent toning solutions. The toners of today are gently purifying, nourishing, and perfect for combination skin types.

And while it ultimately takes some trial and error to discover your golden skin care routine, knowing your skin type can definitely narrow down some essential players. If you think you may fall into the combination skin camp, consider the above your starting stage.