As its name suggests, combination skin isn’t just one skin type but a mixture of two or more. It therefore needs a skincare routine that can target a mixture of concerns. Widely regarded as the most common skin type, you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of serums that can benefit combination skin though. 

What is combination skin? 

Most commonly, those with combination skin have dry, flaky skin on their cheeks and sometimes on their temples and the eye area, and an oily T-Zone (the area that makes up the forehead, nose and chin) that can be prone to blemishes. 

There are many causes for your skin type. Genetics can determine whether you have combination skin and how much oil your skin produces. Hormones also play a key part. During puberty and menstruation, an imbalance in androgens can stimulate an increase in oil production. As you get older and during the menopause, declining oestrogen and hyaluronic acid levels can affect your skin’s ability to hold water, and are one of the main causes of dry skin. 

Add to that changing weather during the different seasons and it’s easy to see why finding the right skincare routine for combination skin is a balancing act – you want to avoid stripping your skin of moisture, which makes the dry patches drier, or encouraging excess sebum production, especially in hot, humid climes and the summertime. 

Taking a flexible approach to treating combination skin can help to manage your changing hormones, stress levels and climate conditions. In summer, you may find your sebaceous glands go into overdrive, producing too much oil and making your T-Zone oilier, while winter can take its toll on dry skin and create the need for more hydrating formulas. 

How to apply serum 

Serums are the secret weapons in your favourite beauty editor and dermatologist’s bathroom cabinet. These potent formulas, when applied in the right order and routine, can deliver powerful active ingredients to where they’re needed most. 

Start with a gentle cleanser to help strike the right balance. You’ll want a formula that is mild enough to readdress imbalance not add to it, and removes oil and dirt without over drying your skin. Gentle chemical exfoliants such as salicylic acid also help to penetrate deep inside the pores to keep them clear of dead skin cells and bacteria that can lead to breakouts and enlarged pores. 

Thick moisturisers can feel heavy on oily skin and clog your pores. To give your dry patches a much-needed dose of hydration, without encouraging excess oil production and shiny skin elsewhere, opt for a lightweight serum packed with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Spread the serum with your hands across your forehead, cheeks and chin moving down the neck in long gliding strokes. Work from the centre of your face outwards and trap in all the benefits your serum offers with a layer of lightweight, non-greasy moisturiser on top. 

SPF is essential to every skincare routine, even on cloudy days, to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays, and premature signs of ageing. Look for a non-comedogenic, broad-spectrum sunscreen that absorbs quickly to provide high-factor protection without clogging your pores. 

Our best serums for combination skin