From your answers, it appears that your skintype is combination although your skin is also sensitive. What does this mean for you?
This particular skin-type is quite difficult to treat as if you dry it out (to reduce breakouts), it becomes more sensitive & if you over-nourish it (to reduce sensitivity), your skin can breakout.
12 Rules for your Combination Skin, which is also Sensitive
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Confirm that your skincare products are not creating your Combination Skin? Sometimes Combination-type Skin can be triggered by harsh skincare products. The most likely offenders are very aggressive cleansers or exfoliatiors. Your concern about your breakouts, may drive you to use a harsh regimen that strips your skin, causing areas of dryness (triggering your sensitivities, arrrgh) & oiliness (your skin thinks it is being under attack & creates more oil, double arrrgh!)
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Look for products with as few ingredients as possible. Less ingredients means less potential triggers.
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Choose skincare designed for sensitive skin. Kinda obvious
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Don’t be scared of oils in your skincare. The right oils are your friends. You want oils which will slip off the excess oil, without penetrating (or it would make it oilier)
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Use a low-foaming cleanser (definitely Sulphate free) Big lathery cleansers which make your skin feel tight are actually stripping your skin. This can sometimes cause your skin to produce more oil.
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Thou Shalt Not Over-exfoliate. It is so tempting to exfoliate often when your skin is oily. Not only may it cause your skin to produce more oil. It may also make your skin more sensitive. Twice a week is the max.
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Use Warm Water when washing your face. Hot water can trigger sensitivities AND open your pores to release more oil. Too cold water can also trigger sensitivities. Trust Goldilocks. Use water that is Just right.
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Avoid aggressively towelling you face dry. Pat dry instead with a clean towel. Don’t even think about drying your clean face with the hand towel everyone in your family uses…. Probably best not to think about it…
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Choose products that are designed to re-normalise oil levels in your skin, you don't want anything too stripping/aggressive as that may push your skin to produce more oil &/or flare up.
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Oily areas don't require moisturiser. Only apply moisturiser to the dry areas of your face. The oily areas of your face are already producing enough moisture all by themselves.
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It is always recommended that people with sensitive skin patch-test products before they use them. This means try one new product at a time. First dab a little in a hidden area, like behind your ear. If no reaction occurs, next day dab a little on your cheek. If all good then you can consider using it all over your face. Never try something new on an aggravated area. Raw skin is guaranteed to react.
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When you buy products for the first time, try sample sizes or products with guarantees. People with sensitive skin tend to have endless cupboards full of products which were meant to work, or worked well for someone else. It’s depressing & a huge waste of money…
I hope these rules help you manage your skin better. I think they also open up many other questions, like: What are Sulphates anyway? What oils are good oils for Combination Skin? Which ingredients in Skincare should I avoid? To find out more about your skin & skincare, make sure you are subscribed to our newsletters & blogs