Caring for Combination Skin!

Combination skin is perhaps the most difficult to handle, primely because you have to deal with both oily and dry skin at the same time. People with combination skin have more oil glands in the T-zone i.e. the forehead and the nose than other parts of the face. As a result, the T-zone is oily whereas the cheeks and chin areas remain dry.

The problem with combination skin is that there cannot be one unified skin care regimen for the same.
Ingredients that are appropriate for the T-zone would not be suitable for the drier parts of cheeks, eyes, or jaw areas and vice versa. Therefore, you will need to separate steps of skin care products – dry skin care products and oily skin care products. This is the only way combination skin can be brought into balance.

Here are some guidelines to take care of your combination skin:

Cleanse Gently

Wash your face with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser that removes all the dirt and debris from the skin surface without leaving it dry and taut. People with combination skin should use gel-based or mildly foaming cleansers. Try Obagi Nu-Derm Foaming Gel. It deep cleanses your skin to leave it clean and fresh. This cleanser in gentle yet cleans thoroughly and rejuvenates the skin. Avoid using soaps and bar cleansers that threaten to clog skin pores and leave the skin dry and lifeless.

Tone your Skin

Toning is an important part of the skin care regimen. People with combination skin should use toners that don't contain ingredients that make oily areas of the dace more greasy. Look out for water and glycerin based toners that contain antioxidants, water-binding agents.

Protect your Skin from the Sun

Sunscreen is an integral part of your skin care regimen all year through. Make sure your sunscreen contains ingredients like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone that protects against UV rays of the sun. In fact, try the La Roche Posay Anthelios SX, a non-greasy moisturizer and sunscreen all in one. Anthelios SX offers broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection and is a 2009 InStyle best beauty buy!

Don't Forget Exfoliation

Exfoliation is extremely important to remove the dead skin cells from the surface and allow the fresh new cells from unde
eath to come out. Make sure you exfoliate your skin regularly with products containing ingredients like beta hydroxy acids, salicylic acid etc. They also clean inside the skin pores to improve its shape and function.

Moisturize Effectively

Treat the dry areas of the face with a rich moisturizer containing plenty of antioxidants, water binding ingredients and nutrients. Regular use of these ingredients can treat dry skin. Make sure the product you buy is packaged in an airtight, opaque container so that the antioxidants remain stable. Try Skin Care Heaven Green Tea Soothing Serum. It reduces the signs of fine lines, wrinkles and pore size. This Product contains green tea and caffeine which are both high in antioxidants. The caffeine enhances the antioxidant properties of the green tea making this product anti-aging and anti-inflammatory.