Opening Words

I'm really fed up with this oily yet dry skin condition! Every day when I look in the mirror, I see my T-zone shining with oil while my cheeks are desperately dry - this "two-faced" feeling is absolutely frustrating. As a veteran "victim" who has been troubled by combination skin for seven whole years, I've stepped into countless pitfalls and tried countless products, finally finding some solutions on this long skincare journey. Today I'll share all my years of experience with everyone, hoping to help those who share the same struggles!

Basic Cleansing

When it comes to combination skin care, choosing the right cleansing product is most crucial. I made a huge mistake before - seeing my T-zone getting oily, I frantically used refreshing facial cleansers, and the result was predictable - my cheeks nearly turned into a desert! Later I realized what combination skin needs most is a gentle product that can both clean oil and protect the skin barrier.

After countless trials, I now especially recommend La Roche-Posay's Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. This cleanser is truly divine! It uses a soap-free formula with a pH around 5.5, super close to our skin's acid-base balance. It feels especially comfortable to use, with rich but not excessive foam, and doesn't leave that annoying tight feeling after cleansing.

I remember being shocked by how gentle it was when I first used this cleanser. With other facial cleansers, my skin always felt "cleaned" extremely thoroughly, but actually that feeling was a sign of damaged skin barrier. With La Roche-Posay's cleanser, the cleansing power is just right - it can clean oil thoroughly without harming the already fragile facial skin.

For those who wear makeup daily, I strongly recommend trying the double cleansing method. My current cleansing routine is like this: the first thing I do when getting home at night is use DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil. This cleansing oil is truly a makeup killer - whether it's long-lasting foundation or waterproof mascara, it dissolves everything easily. Plus it contains olive oil which nourishes the skin while cleansing, leaving no dryness afterward.

After removing makeup, I use La Roche-Posay's cleanser for the second cleanse. This double cleansing process might seem troublesome, but trust me, it's absolutely worth it! Only when all residues are thoroughly cleaned can subsequent skincare products be better absorbed by the skin.

Core Care

Toner

Speaking of toners, I really must highly recommend COSRX's AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner. This product is practically tailor-made for combination skin! It contains both salicylic acid and fruit acids, which not only balance skin's oil and water but also gently remove dead skin cells.

I was quite worried about irritation when I first used this toner, but its formula is truly scientific. The concentration of salicylic acid isn't high, but the effect is very noticeable. After about two weeks of use, I clearly felt reduced oil production in my T-zone, and the dryness on my cheeks also improved significantly.

However, I must especially remind everyone to start gradually. I suggest using it every other day for the first two weeks to let your skin slowly adapt. After your skin fully accepts this product, then switch to daily use. And remember to do good sun protection, as AHA increases skin's sensitivity to sunlight.

Serum

For serum selection, my current favorite is Glow Recipe's Avocado Serum. Honestly, I used to be a bit prejudiced against this brand, thinking the packaging was too girly and cute, and the product effects might be mediocre. But after using this serum, I truly became a fan!

The most impressive thing about this serum is its ceramide content. Ceramide is a super powerful repairing ingredient that helps strengthen the skin barrier function and is especially suitable for improving skin redness. According to clinical studies, using products containing ceramides can improve redness by up to 45% after two weeks.

My personal experience is that this serum has an especially light texture with absolutely no stickiness. Plus it absorbs quickly, leaving skin very moisturized afterward. I now use it morning and night, and feel my skin condition is really much better than before.

Advanced Care

Anti-acne Solutions

The most headache-inducing thing about combination skin is its tendency to develop acne, especially in the T-zone. After multiple trials, I found that salicylic acid is truly a magic weapon against acne! But here I must especially emphasize that the concentration of salicylic acid is very important.

I personally especially recommend The Ordinary's 2% Salicylic Acid Solution as an entry-level choice. This concentration can effectively clean pores and control oil secretion without causing too much irritation to the skin. I remember when I first started using it, I clearly felt my skin becoming more transparent and acne gradually subsiding.

However, there are several points to note when using salicylic acid: first, always start with low concentrations; second, don't use it simultaneously with Vitamin C or Vitamin A; third, must do good sun protection in the morning.

Key Ingredients

Speaking of key skincare ingredients, I must properly discuss Vitamin C. I'm currently using CE Ferulic, and although it's indeed not cheap, the effects are really amazing. This product contains 15% Vitamin C, combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid, the antioxidant effect is simply incredible.

According to clinical research data, after three months of continuous use, it can increase skin brightness by 63% and reduce fine lines by 38%. After using it for about four months myself, I feel my skin has really become more radiant, and the small pimples that used to keep popping up have also reduced significantly.

But note that Vitamin C is a very delicate ingredient that's easily oxidized. So you must choose packaging with dark bottles, and use it up quickly after opening. I now store it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.

Protection Care

Sunscreen Selection

Speaking of sunscreen, this is absolutely the most important step in all skincare routines! My current favorite is Isntree's Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel. This sunscreen is really perfect for combination skin - its texture is super light and won't make the T-zone oilier or dry areas drier.

The user experience is really great - no white cast after application and no stickiness. Plus it contains hyaluronic acid which moisturizes while protecting from the sun. I now apply it twice daily, once before going out in the morning and once more at noon.

When choosing sunscreen products, you need to pay special attention to whether the formula contains ingredients that easily cause acne. Some oilier sunscreens, although having good sun protection effects, might cause pore blockage for combination skin. So I suggest choosing some light-textured sunscreen products, which can protect the skin without causing burden.

Concluding Thoughts

After so many years of skincare experience, I finally understood one truth: caring for combination skin isn't easy, but as long as you find the right method and choose the right products, it's not so scary. The most important thing is to have patience and not expect instant results.

Just like dating, skincare also needs time and patience. You need to slowly understand your skin condition and find the most suitable care method. You might encounter some setbacks at first, but if you persist, you'll definitely see results.

Looking back now, combination skin isn't some hard-to-deal-with "monster". It just needs more of our attention and care. Through these years of exploration, I finally found a skincare solution that suits me, and I hope my experience can help you too!

Remember, the most important things in skincare are persistence and patience. Just like treating a relationship, you need to nurture it carefully and adjust gradually to achieve the best results. Everyone, feel free to share your skincare experiences with me in the comments!