Combination skin is already tricky to deal with because of its dual texture. Now if pimples also occur it becomes an add on problem to deal with. Pimples are itself a frustrating skin concern to deal with. Combating these two concerns together becomes more and more tricky.
Combination skin consists of an oily T-zone which might cause clogged pores and dry skin which becomes flaky and then the skin gets acne and makes it more complex. If you use a regular cleanser that contains harsh surfactant on this kind of skin which is already complex it can strip skin barrier and moisture.
For protecting your skin along with dealing with skin concerns you require a targeted formulation of face wash for combination skin. The appropriate choice of face wash would clear the skin without breaching its natural skin barrier.
Gel based or foam cleansers that have a light application on the skin are said to be helpful if they are formulated with the right ingredients. It performs to regulate the sebum production, retain moisture and control acne breakouts. It must be able to maintain a healthy and even textured skin throughout the face.
Why does combination skin get pimples?
A combination skin is a mix of two skin textures – oily and dry skin. The T-zone of the face, which includes nose, forehead and chin becomes extra oily. This is because of the presence of a large number of sebaceous glands which are more active.
This is the reason behind more sebum production and the skin appears shiny in this region. It leads to clogging of pores when this sebum gets mixed with dirt and dead skin cells. This causes pimples.
Whereas the cheeks and jawline area of the face which form a U shape are dry. They are dry because of less sebaceous glands in this area. This region of the face appears dry and tight and often flaky. Pimples can also occur in this dry region because of stripped barrier protection that lacks moisture. It happens when dead flakes build up on the surface of the skin and block the pores. It causes irritation pimples.
Formulation type for combination and acne prone skin
The right choice of formulation acts as helping aid. If chosen the wrong one it could breach the skin. Harsh soaps can lead to complete skin dryness and strip barrier which causes skin irritation. Foaming cleanser on the other hand might cause more oily texture on the skin. It might feel heavy on the skin and also leave behind residue on the skin which might lead to even more breakouts.
So a gel based or foam cleanser can be used. Firstly they are lightweight in texture. Also they have a better skin absorption which delivers ingredients to targeted areas and also perform quick cleansing action. They do not leave behind any residue and have a better cleansing action than other formulations.
Ingredients that are helpful
- Salicylic acid: The oil soluble nature of this beta hydroxy acid lets it penetrate into the pores of the skin. It reaches the pores and excellently wipes off the excess oil from the pores. It loosens the hard plugs of oil and dead skin cells which clog the pores. It clears the pores.
- Niacinamide: It is an alpha hydroxy acid that is also called vitamin B3. It is a beneficial ingredient for acne clearance and it helps in regulating sebum levels. It majorly helps in soothing the inflamed skin. It has been useful for protecting and supporting the skin barrier repair function.
- Tea tree oil: It is incorporated because of its ability in clearing acne by removing the surface impurities from the skin. It also helps in reducing the sebum from the skin. It helps in keeping the skin clear and calm.
- Ceramides: They are barrier protecting agents that keep the skin barrier intact and repair the damaged skin. It helps in locking the moisture in the skin and keeps skin hydrated.
- Hyaluronic acid: It is used to keep the skin plump and hydrated. It works by blocking the moisture without overpowering.
How to use a cleanser for combination skin?
- Firstly wash your hands
- Wash your face with lukewarm or cold water
- Take a sufficient amount of face wash
- Apply it to the face and massage by targeting the oily T-zone
- Exfoliate for 30-60 seconds
- Wash face with water to rinse the product
- Pat dry using towel
- Apply light weight moisturizer
- Apply sunscreen while going out during the day
Mistakes to avoid
- Do not scrub your face aggressively, do gentle exfoliation only
- Do not use extreme hot water it can affect skin barrier
- Do not use face wash more than twice a day
- Avoid comedogenic ingredients in a face wash
- Avoid harsh surfactants that can cause skin irritation
Last thoughts
Combination skin is a complex skin and pimples make it more complex to deal with. Choosing any random cleanser would affect the skin badly. It would breach the skin and cause more acne. So you need to select a face wash that helps in controlling excess oil in the skin and also hydrate the skin. It would help in taking care of acne as well and prevent further breakouts.
