A good skincare regime for combination skin can be very simple and easy to maintain.  You should wash your face gently but thoroughly twice a day using a mild but effective cleanser.   If you wash your face less than twice a day then excessive oil and dirt can clog your pores in the greasier areas of your face and this will lead to breakouts.  On the other hand, if you wash your face more than twice a day moisture from your skin will be depleted and this can lead to skin drying out in the drier areas of your face and irritation and redness occurring.  

After cleansing you should apply a gentle toner or astringent, which is formulated for combination skin, on the greasier areas of your face.  On the drier areas of your face you should apply a moisture rich lotion or cream to keep the skin supply and nourished, such as Dermalogica’s Skin Smoothing Cream which is a medium weight cream that is free of artificial fragrance and colour.  It contains antioxidant vitamins together with soothing botanicals to maintain skin’s moisture balance, and it improves skin texture, helping to restore tone and suppleness.

Products containing Vitamin A, Retinols and Alpha Hydroxy Acids help to promote balance in the skin.  Vitamin A  nourishes the skin, counteracts inflammation and protects cell membranes and structures within the cells from damage caused by free radicals.  Retinols work on a molecular level and repair and rejuvenate the skin.  AHAs slough away dead skin cells so that new skin can appear.  Incorporating a gentle exfoliator into your skincare regime will also have the same effect - if dead skin cells aren’t sloughed away regularly skin can look dull and lifeless.    

The most essential factor in having good skin is having a healthy lifestyle.  Having a nutritious, healthy diet and drinking plenty of water so your body is well hydrated are vital to be healthy both inside and out.  Cut out the junk from your diet, hydrate your body, avoid smoking, limit your alcohol intake and get plenty of sleep and you’ll find that, together with a good skincare regime for your combination skin, your skin will be healthy, smooth and well balanced!