Ceramides Skincare
For Combination Skin

Combination skin has a mixture of dry and oily skin areas. It typically manifests as dry cheeks and an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin). In the main, your skin type (whatever it is) is inherited from your parents; however external factors (like the weather, or the skincare products you're using) can also increase symptoms of dryness or oiliness in combination skin types.

This makes implementing the right skincare routine a little more complicated for combination skin than when you have a uniform skin type.

Use a balancing cleanser

The ideal cleanser for combination skin works to gently remove impurities for an effective cleanse, while at the same time respecting the skin's natural moisture barrier to give comfortable, balanced results. The CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is formulated with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, to refresh the skin without over-stripping it.

Hydrate with a non-comedogenic moisturiser

Both oily and dry skin require hydration to replace lost moisture, but you need to go about this in different ways. Picking a moisturiser to suit a combination skin type must cater to the needs of both component skin types.

Dry skin needs a lot of additional hydration, and usually also strengthening of the moisture barrier to reduce trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). On the other hand, oily skin is often prone to clogged pores and blemishes.

The lightweight oil-free CeraVe Moisturising Lotion for face and body helps to strengthen and maintain the protective skin moisture barrier, delivering 48 hours of hydration* in a non-comedogenic formula that won't clog pores.

*Instrumental test, 28 subjects.

Use a high SPF, broad spectrum sunscreen every day

To protect combination skin from the sun’s UV rays, CeraVe recommends you use a high SPF (at least SPF30), broad spectrum sunscreen every day, whether you're planning to go out into the sun or not. The ideal sunscreen for combination skin types features a non-comedogenic formula to avoid clogging pores.

Non-greasy CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion represents a dual approach: both moisturising the skin and helping provide sun protection with an SPF15 sunscreen. Apply every morning, and augment with additional sun protection.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.

At a bare minimum, the ideal combination skin care routine contains key ingredients that balance the need for hydration without making oiliness worse or causing dryness. In addition, you might need additional ingredients to address specific concerns. Here's a list of ingredients that are generally beneficial for combination skin:

Hyaluronic Acid:

Able to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, hyaluronic acid is the superhero of humectants. It provides deep hydration to oily and dry areas alike, without making oily skin greasier.

Ceramides:

Like the mortar in a brick wall, ceramides help fill the gaps between skin cells in the outer layer of skin to provide an effective skin moisture barrier and reduce trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). As such they're important for improving hydration and reducing dryness.

Niacinamide:

Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is suitable for all skin types because of its gentle nature. It offers a wide range of benefits for the skin. For oily and combination skin types, it helps to visibly improve the appearance of enlarged pores, regulate oil production, and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier function.

Salicylic Acid:

A beta-hydroxy acid (or BHA) that is an excellent but gentle exfoliating agent, salicylic acid not only helps remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface, it also penetrates the pores to remove excess oil and dead skin cells from within. That makes it great for preventing and combating breakouts in oily areas.

Glycolic Acid:

This is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that's widely used for exfoliating the surface of the skin, helping to smooth skin texture and even out skin tone. It's beneficial for drier areas but should be used cautiously to avoid any irritation.

Squalane:

A lightweight, non-comedogenic oil that mimics the skin's natural sebum, squalane is a highly effective emollient and natural antioxidant. Squalane is suitable for both dry and oily areas of combination skin, helping restore the lipid moisture barrier and preventing moisture loss while improving skin elasticity and texture.

Glycerin:

Also known as glycerol, glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture into the skin both from the air and from deeper layers of the skin. In doing so, it helps to plump the skin, reduce the visible appearance of fine lines, and help maintain the moisture barrier that protects skin from external aggressors. It is suitable for all skin types, including combination skin, and is suitable for sensitive skin.

Retinol:

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, helps prevent visible signs of skin ageing and improves skin tone and texture. It also reduces both blemish formation and post-blemish marks, and although not an exfoliating agent as such, retinol does encourage the shedding of old skin cells and boost skin cell turnover.

Vitamin C:

This skincare superstar is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralise free radicals, targeting the ageing effects of sun exposure and environmental pollution that skin faces every day. External aggressors like these contribute to premature signs of skin ageing. It's beneficial for all skin types.

Topical application of vitamin C can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and improve uneven skin tone for brighter, more radiant-looking skin.

And it also boosts production of collagen, an important structural protein in the skin, to help keep it looking plump and smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.