Genetics play a significant role in determining the characteristics of the skin, such as oily, dry, or a combination of both. Some people have oily skin, where the gland produces a high amount of sebum, while others have dry skin, where they don't produce enough sebum.

Oily combination skin is when you’re dealing with both problems at the time. You may experience symptoms of dry skin, such as flakiness and irritation, but the skin can also get very oily, which makes it challenging to use skincare products. 

In this article, we’ll identify oily or dry skin conditions, the causes, and what you can do about it.

Related: How to Have Great Skin? 12 Best Things you Can Do For Your Skin

How to Tell if You Have Oily Combination Skin

How do you know you’re dealing with oily skin combination, and not just either oily or dry skin? Here are some key signs to help you:

After washing the face, you will notice that some parts are oily while others are not. 

The rate of sebum production affects how well the skin absorbs and retains water. People with oily combination skin problems tend to have both types in localized patches. The dryer side of the skin will have less moisture, so it can rehydrate more easily. However, the oily parts will have more sebum, which already retains a high content of water, so it will produce more oil in certain parts of the face.

The pores on your nose are visibly larger than the pores on your cheeks

People with combination skin issues tend to have the oilier portion on the “T-zone,” which is the nose and forehead. These areas contain a higher amount of oil because they have more visible pores, which is where the oils are secreted.

Need help finding high-end skin care products to treat oily combination skin problems? Check out We are Wild for an excellent variety of selections.

You have dandruff

Pure oily skin indicates a higher oil content that requires excessive cleansing and the presence of larger pores on the nose. However, you also want to confirm whether or not you have dry skin and dandruff or flaky skin, which is one of the definite signs of a combination skin problem. When the skin produces less sebum, dead skin tends to form and stick to the surface, and flakes off when agitated, creating dandruff.

You get breakouts and dry patches simultaneously.

Too much oil leads to breakouts, and it's a strong indication of oily skin. However, people with a combination skin type tend to experience it at the same time as dry, flaky patches. They will occur in different places at the same time. For instance, your cheeks or sides of your head may be flaky while the nose and forehead are breaking out.

What Causes Combination Skin Problems?

With the different skin types, the combination components are actually the most common ones that are mostly caused by genetics, meaning that it’s inherited and permanent. However, it can be exacerbated and affected by a range of factors. For instance, skincare products that are too harsh can strip away oils from the sensitive parts of the face, leaving dry patches, or it can clog up your pores. Stress, direct sunlight exposure, and a lack of exercise have been known to cause dryer patches of skin.

What Products Should You Use for Oily Combination Skin?

Combination skin problems can cause difficulties in finding the perfect product that your skin needs. For the dryer patches, you need to exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin that might block absorption before using the moisturizing products. 

An excellent moisturizer is the Nourishing Balm Moisturizer Stick, which is a face and body moisturizer stick that treats and restores dry skin. It contains natural ingredients like sunflower oil and beeswax to trap and absorb moisture as well as smoothing out your skin. Its lightweight solution provides long-lasting hydration for instant relief after application.

Since oil can block the absorption of skincare products, then an Oil-free cleanser can help unclog the pores without over-stripping the skin. For example, the Solid Clean Probiotic Cleanser contains probiotics and fermented anti-oxidant to keep your skin bright and radiant. It removes excess oil and buildup to brighten, balance, and nourish the skin texture. The probiotic ingredients prevent future blemishes while detoxifying and purifying the skin at the same time.

 Related: Benefits of Probiotics for Skincare

How to Take Care of Oily Combination Skin

Aside from stocking up on the right products, here are a few step-by-step tips on how to care for your combination skin issue.

Start with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser

You don’t want to go too far in stripping away the oil component from your face, which can cause dry, irritated skin. Instead, use a water-soluble cleanser with gentle and natural ingredients, and rub it over your skin in circular motions to clear out the pores and remove dead skin and debris to alleviate dry skin.

Apply a hydrating non-irritating toner

Avoid toners with alcohol; it can dry out the skin. Non-irritating ingredients like witch hazel can be more soothing. This quality ingredient can clear up your pores, making them smaller. If a toner irritates your face, then stop using it immediately to avoid the overproduction of sebum that can contribute to oily skin.

A highly recommended toner is the Solid Water Probiotic Facial Toner. This natural facial toner can detoxify pores, improve skin texture, and control acne. It contains pure water, probiotics, and fermented antioxidants for optimal hydration and toning experience.  

Use a gentle, non-abrasive, leave-on BHA exfoliant

Exfoliants will help clear out excess dead skin and oils, but you should be cautious and consider using BHA varieties that are gentler, so it does not over-strip the facial oils, leading to more massive breakouts.

Protect from sun damage

The sun can exacerbate dry patches and irritate the oilier parts of your face, leading to increased sebum production. Instead, use water-soluble UV protection and avoid direct sunlight. 

A quality sun protection product to use is the Solid Block Mineral Sunscreen, which contains Non-Nano Minerals and provides excellent UV protection with SPF 35++. It's also made with omega-rich hemp seed oil and ultra-hydrating resurrection plant that can nourish and restore dehydrated skin.

Use a nighttime moisturizer

Moisturizers that work overnight help hydrate dryer patches on the skin without being too harsh or clogging up the pores.

  Check out We are Wild for moisturizing skincare product to hydrate and promote your skin’s health

Conclusion

The oily combination skin problem is quite prevalent in the dermatology industry, and there are plenty of products designed to address both issues. If you experience extremely dry or oily skin, it might be an indication that the problem is exacerbated by treating one skin problem over the other. It's a common mistake that people make, but quality skincare products from We are Wild can offer a balance that caters to both dry and oily skin.

So, what are you waiting for? Check out We are Wild for a wide selection of products to keep your skin glowing.

Related: Toners 101: What Does a Toner do For Your Face and Skin