Sunday, June 17, 2007

Combination Skin Type

Most people have at least two different types of facial skin at any given time. The combination of skin is frequently characterized by an oily “T-zone” area, which covers the forehead, nose and chin. While the skin around the cheeks, eyes and mouth is normal or dry. These different types of skin call for different treatments, so people with combination skin should assess their skin regularly and use different products on different areas of the face.

Combination skin routines usually include the following recommendations:

  • Treat oily and dry areas differently. Treat your scalp as well.
  • Wash your skin with a mild cleanser twice daily. Get a cleanser free of soap, harsh detergents or alcohol, ideally containing an oil production reducing agent, such as salicylic acid, tea-tree oil.
  • Switch to anti-dandruff shampoos (e.g. ZPTO-pyrithione zinc or selenium sulfide shampoos, tea-tree oil, arnica, neem) and/or anti-yeast shampoos (e.g. ketoconazole shampoo). Use every other day until dandruff and other symptoms are under control; use twice a week after that.
  • After washing apply oil-free moisturizer (you can moisturize dry areas only). You can also apply oil-free moisturizer to dry areas throughout the day as needed.
  • Use oil-free sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.
  • Some people with combination skin may benefit from a combination of two masks used once a week. A clay mask is applied to the oily area and a moisturizing mask - to the dry areas.

Next Article: Basic steps of facial skin care routine: Cleansing & Toning….

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