The experts from ISDIN are here to share their latest skin care advice.

Understanding your skin type is a great starting point for happy and healthy skin. However, caring for combination skin, with its oily T-zone and dry cheeks, can be a balancing act. Join us as the experts at ISDIN, the Barcelona-born skin care brand, answer questions such as:

• What is combination skin?

• How should I care for combination skin?

What is combination skin?

Various factors, including hormones, genetics and environmental factors can influence your skin type. Each of us has a natural tendency toward oily, sensitive or dry skin.

Combination skin is a combination of normal or dry and oily areas. It’s characterized by an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and drier patches on the cheeks. Some people also notice enlarged pores and blackheads on the T-zone area. Since it’s a mixture of two skin types, combination skin responds best to specialized care.

It is possible for combination skin to be mistaken for seborrheic dermatitis, according to Dr. Joel Schlessinger, LovelySkin CEO and board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “I have seen patients who have oily, scaly patches on their nose and forehead and assume they just have combination skin. However, it’s instead due to seborrheic dermatitis, which is a yeast overgrowth easily treated with antifungal topical medication.”

How to care for combination skin

1) Cleanse gently

Despite their rich textures, cleansing oils are highly effective at removing dirt and impurities without weighing down the skin. The secret lies in their oil-attracting properties. Oil cleansers lift and dissolve oil-based substances like makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum, making them suitable for all skin types, even those prone to both oiliness and dryness.

When looking for an oil cleanser, opt for a non-comedogenic formula. This means it can deeply cleanse without blocking pores. One great option is ISDIN Isdinceutics Essential Cleansing Oil. Its blend of Mediterranean extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil and clary sage upholds your skin's natural moisture levels and protects the barrier, which are both important for balancing combination skin.

2) Get familiar with exfoliation

Exfoliation helps to remove old skin cells from the outer layer of your skin. This process can help unveil your natural glow and avoid a build-up of excess oil or skin cells while also smoothing dry, flaky skin. Exfoliating products can be physical (scrubs or tools), chemical (glycolic acid, for example) or a mixture of the two.

There’s not a universal solution when it comes to facial exfoliants. Combination skin might respond best to a gentle yet powerful product designed for your particular skin type. ISDIN Isdinceutics Glicoisdin 15 Moderate Spot Unifying Exfoliating Peeling Gel is just that. It’s formulated with soothing ingredients and a medium concentration of glycolic acid to boost skin renewal, illuminate your complexion and refine texture.

3) Choose a moisturizer for oily and combination skin

All skin types benefit from consistent hydration, but targeted moisture is especially important for combination skin. Why is that? When your skin’s running low on moisture, it may start to overcompensate and produce even more oil. Combination skin can benefit from a non-comedogenic moisturizer with mattifying ingredients.

ISDIN Isdinceutics Hyaluronic Moisture Hydrating Face Moisturizer for Oily & Combination Skin is designed to provide lasting hydration while helping to control shine. ISDIN’s proprietary Matte Complex ensures a shine-free finish, making it perfect for those with oily and combination skin. This formula also helps minimize the appearance of pores, giving you a refreshed look throughout the day.

4) Stick with sunscreen

Broad-spectrum sunscreen is one of the best options to help keep your skin healthy, whichever your skin type. Broad spectrum means that it protects you from two types of the sun’s rays: UVA and UVB. Unprotected exposure to both can lead to a higher risk of skin damage, aging and even skin cancer.

ISDIN Photo Eryfotona Ageless Ultralight Tinted Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen provides high broad-spectrum protection, using zinc oxide to block the sun’s harmful rays. Its advanced ingredients help repair and combat signs of photoaging and the non-greasy, tinted finish diminishes imperfections. Meanwhile, the mineral oil-free formulation makes it ideal for skin on the oily side.

By following these tips and incorporating ISDIN products into your skin care routine, you can effectively care for your combination skin and work toward a healthy, glowing complexion. Remember, consistency is key, so try to stick to your routine and enjoy the results.

Would you like more skin care tips? You can learn more about hydrating super-ingredient hyaluronic acid with ISDIN on the LovelySkin Blog.