
skin diagnosis
What is meant by combination skin?
Understanding Skin Condition
Combination skin is a skin type in which different areas of the face have different characteristics. Typically, the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oilier because it produces more sebum, while the cheeks and other areas of the face are often drier or normal. Combination skin is therefore a combination of oily and dry skin.
The right care for combination skin
cleaning
Avoid aggressive cleansers to avoid drying out the skin. Use a mild, pH-neutral cleansing gel or lotion and rinse thoroughly. For the T-zone, which is prone to shine or spots, use a lightly exfoliating cleanser that cleanses the pores deeply without drying them out. Dry cheeks should be cleaned with a moisturizing cleansing milk or cream that is not too greasy.
peeling
Use a gentle exfoliator with lactic acid or salicylic acid once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells. Be careful not to use it too often to avoid skin irritation, especially in dry areas.
toner
An alcohol-free toner will help regulate pH and remove excess oil in the T-zone. Choose a toner with soothing ingredients like aloe vera for sensitive or dry areas to avoid irritation.
moisturizer
Use an oil-free, mattifying moisturizer on the T-zone and a richer cream or serum on the drier cheeks. A combination of both products will help meet the different needs of the skin.
sun protection
Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily. For combination skin, an oil-free, mattifying sunscreen or sun gel is ideal to avoid extra shine. Sunscreen protects against skin aging and does not aggravate skin problems such as acne or pigmentation.
Avoid aggressive cleansers to avoid drying out the skin. Use a mild, pH-neutral cleansing gel or lotion and rinse thoroughly. For the T-zone, which is prone to shine or spots, use a lightly exfoliating cleanser that cleanses the pores deeply without drying them out. Dry cheeks should be cleaned with a moisturizing cleansing milk or cream that is not too greasy.
Use a gentle exfoliator with lactic acid or salicylic acid once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells. Be careful not to use it too often to avoid skin irritation, especially in dry areas.
An alcohol-free toner will help regulate pH and remove excess oil in the T-zone. Choose a toner with soothing ingredients like aloe vera for sensitive or dry areas to avoid irritation.
Use an oil-free, mattifying moisturizer on the T-zone and a richer cream or serum on the drier cheeks. A combination of both products will help meet the different needs of the skin.
Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily. For combination skin, an oil-free, mattifying sunscreen or sun gel is ideal to avoid extra shine. Sunscreen protects against skin aging and does not aggravate skin problems such as acne or pigmentation.
Supporting the skin in everyday life
Nutrition: A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy fats will strengthen the skin, while drinking enough water will keep it hydrated. Avoid irritating foods like spicy spices, citrus fruits or dairy products if you have sensitive skin. Monitor how your skin reacts to certain foods.
Hygiene tips: Wash your hands regularly with a mild, non-irritating soap to avoid bacteria and dirt. Change your bedsheets at least once a week and use fresh towels for your face to prevent irritation and breakouts.
stress management: Stress reduction is important for skin health. Avoid stress by taking regular breaks and using relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga. Sufficient sleep promotes skin regeneration and supports the repair of the skin barrier.
environmental influences: Be aware of environmental influences by protecting the skin from cold weather and using rich creams to prevent redness and dryness. Avoid air pollution by cleansing your skin at night. Choose soft fabrics such as cotton or silk to avoid skin irritation and use mild detergents without harsh chemicals when washing.
Causes of Combination Skin

Internal influencing factors
Hormonal changes are often one of the causes of impure skin. They affect sebum production and can lead to clogged pores.
Hormonal fluctuations, as they were during the puberty, pregnancy, menstruation or at thet aking contraceptives can affect sebum production. Testosterone and other male hormones in particular can stimulate the sebaceous glands.
During hormonal changes, there is often an increase in sebum production in the T-zone, while other areas of the face continue to produce less sebum and remain drier.
The genetic predisposition affects the structure of the skin, particularly the production of sebum. In combination skin, the sebaceous glands in the T-zone produce more oil, while the cheeks secrete less sebum. The aging process changes sebum production: younger skin produces more sebum, while skin becomes drier with age, but the T-zone can still remain oily. A weakened skin barrier leads to uneven moisture regulation, which causes the skin to dry out in some areas and produce more sebum in the T-zone.

External influencing factors
While internal causes play a role, external influences can also put additional strain on skin health. It is important to recognize these factors and take targeted measures
environmental factors such as extreme temperatures and changes in weather can aggravate combination skin, as sebum production in the T-zone increases in summer and the skin dries out in winter. Excessive sun exposure also promotes sebum production and damages the skin barrier.unhealthy diet, stress and lack of sleep increase sebum production, while medications such as antibiotics or hormonal preparations that can dry out or make the skin oily. All of these factors contribute to the problem of combination skin.
Wrong skin care products, such as aggressive cleansers or products that are too oily, can throw the skin out of balance. Washing too often or using strong cleansers increases sebum production in the T-zone, while rich products dry out the dry areas even more.
Internal influencing factors
Hormonal changes are often one of the causes of impure skin. They affect sebum production and can lead to clogged pores.
Hormonal fluctuations, as they were during the puberty, pregnancy, menstruation or at thet aking contraceptives can affect sebum production. Testosterone and other male hormones in particular can stimulate the sebaceous glands.
During hormonal changes, there is often an increase in sebum production in the T-zone, while other areas of the face continue to produce less sebum and remain drier.
The genetic predisposition affects the structure of the skin, particularly the production of sebum. In combination skin, the sebaceous glands in the T-zone produce more oil, while the cheeks secrete less sebum. The aging process changes sebum production: younger skin produces more sebum, while skin becomes drier with age, but the T-zone can still remain oily. A weakened skin barrier leads to uneven moisture regulation, which causes the skin to dry out in some areas and produce more sebum in the T-zone.
External influencing factors
While internal causes play a role, external influences can also put additional strain on skin health. It is important to recognize these factors and take targeted measures
environmental factors such as extreme temperatures and changes in weather can aggravate combination skin, as sebum production in the T-zone increases in summer and the skin dries out in winter. Excessive sun exposure also promotes sebum production and damages the skin barrier.unhealthy diet, stress and lack of sleep increase sebum production, while medications such as antibiotics or hormonal preparations that can dry out or make the skin oily. All of these factors contribute to the problem of combination skin.
Wrong skin care products, such as aggressive cleansers or products that are too oily, can throw the skin out of balance. Washing too often or using strong cleansers increases sebum production in the T-zone, while rich products dry out the dry areas even more.


Recognize common features
The different types of combination skin
Combination skin can manifest itself in different forms.
- Normal combination skin
- oily combination skin
- dry combination skin
- Sensitive combination skin
Normal combination skin is characterized by a balanced mix of dry and oily areas, with the transition between these zones not being too extreme. The oily T-zone, consisting of the forehead, nose and chin, can be slightly shiny or occasionally have small blackheads. In contrast, the cheeks and the eye area tend to be drier, but without the appearance of visible flakes or an unpleasant feeling of tightness.
Oily combination skin is characterized by a very pronounced oily area, especially in the T-zone, while the dry area is less problematic. The T-zone, especially the nose and forehead, tends to be very shiny and can cause enlarged pores or acne. The cheeks and eye area are dry, but usually show no visible redness or irritation.
Dry combination skin has a clearly defined dry area, although the T-zone can sometimes appear dry, especially in winter or cold weather. In the oily zone there may be slight irregularities or flaking, but shine remains minimal. The skin on the cheeks in particular appears dry and tight and can be prone to redness or irritation.
Sensitive combination skin is characterized by both oily and dry areas, but with a greater tendency to irritation. The T-zone can be shiny and have slight blemishes, while the cheeks are often flaky or cracked and quickly prone to feelings of tightness.
Frequency of combination skin in different phases of life
Combination skin affects around 50-60% of the population, especially during puberty and hormonal changes. It is characterized by an oily T-zone and dry cheeks, which requires differentiated skin care. Younger skin often has more sebum production, which decreases with age. The T-zone produces over 50% of the skin's oil and is therefore prone to blemishes, while the dry zones produce less oil. Environmental factors such as climate and humidity also affect the skin, with lifestyle and an unbalanced diet increasing sebum production. Products for combination skin, such as mild cleansers and moisturizers, are widely available. Common skin problems include blackheads and uneven skin tone.

