What is normal or combination skin?
Normal skin in optimal condition — well hydrated, free of any blemishes or inflammation, with the right balance of sebum, oil, and water, without excessive shine, and with an unaltered skin barrier — is very rare in adults. Skin considered "normal" is the skin of a baby or child, which remains healthy, balanced, and unaltered naturally and organically in most cases.
However, in adulthood, it's normal for skin changes to occur as a result of hormones, stress, increased environmental impact, diet, and the progressive weakening of the skin barrier, resulting in what is known as combination skin.
Combination skin is skin that has a healthy, balanced, and stable base, with regulated sebum production and a strong skin barrier, but which may still present some alterations — whether permanent or temporary — such as dryness in certain areas (usually the cheeks) and excess sebum in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).
For this reason, skin types ranging from normal to combination are usually treated in the same way and with the same products.
Characteristics of normal or combination skin
- The T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) tends to produce and accumulate more sebum, which results in more visible and enlarged pores.
- The cheek area tends to dry out or become red more easily.
- Small pimples may appear occasionally.
- The skin texture is mostly regular, smooth and unified.
Routine for caring for normal or combination skin
The 6 steps to follow to get the most out of a skincare routine for normal or combination skin—both day and night—are as follows:
If you have questions about the correct order of application, consult our guide.
Recommended products
Discover all the formulas suitable for normal or combination skin types here.
Dos and Don'ts
✔ Differentiate products and treatments based on the area of skin you're treating for combination skin. A good example is using two different face masks, one to control the oiliest areas and another to hydrate the drier areas.
✔ Always opt for a double cleansing of your skin at night in the oiliest areas to remove any impurities that could clog pores.
✔ Perform a gentle exfoliation regularly on areas with increased sebum buildup. Natural acids like AHA and BHA help remove dead skin cells and minimize pore size.
✔ Prioritize balancing formulas that help stabilize the skin's oil and sebum evenly.
✗ Avoid using products with astringent or harsh ingredients. Over-drying your skin leads to increased sebum production to counteract this.
✔ Include a facial oil that enhances the skin's natural health and stability. Oils—contrary to popular belief—are very beneficial for regulating and balancing the skin's natural oil production.
✗ Avoid products with high levels of perfume, alcohol, soap, or low-quality essential oils as much as possible, as these are irritating substances that weaken the skin barrier.