Many people confuse combination skin with oily skin, yet these are two distinct skin types with specific characteristics and requirements. Being able to distinguish between them is the first step in establishing a suitable skincare routine. How do you recognise combination skin as opposed to oily skin? Let us explore some tips together.
How can I determine whether my skin is combination or oily?
Summary
Published on August 11, 2025, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 7 min of reading
Themes:
What are the characteristics of oily skin?
Oily skin is primarily characterised by an excessive production of sebum. Composed of a blend of various lipids, sebum is secreted by the sebaceous glands and functions to protect and hydrate the skin. Along with sweat, it forms the hydrolipidic film, the semi‐aqueous, semi‐oily protective layer on the surface of the epidermis. However, although sebum is essential, overproduction leads to shiny areas, particularly on the forehead, nose and chin – the so-called T-zone. This surplus can cause dilation and blockage of the skin’s pores, ultimately resulting in blemishes such as open or closed comedones, or even inflammatory lesions such as papules or pustules.
Oily skin is partly explained by genetic and hormonal factors, but it can also be exacerbated by certain environmental factors, such as stress, an unbalanced diet or the use of unsuitable cosmetic products that can stimulate sebum synthesis. However, in most cases, oily skin results from excessive androgen production—male hormones that stimulate sebum synthesis—or from a hypersensitivity of the sebaceous glands to their action. Moreover, although oily skin is often perceived as thick and resilient, it can also suffer from a water imbalance: the abundant lipid film does not replace the water essential for the balance of the stratum corneum. It is therefore entirely possible to have dehydrated skin and oily at the same time.
An oily skin requires a gentle, balanced regimen designed to counteract excessive sebum production while preserving its skin barrier.
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What are the specific characteristics of combination skin?
Quite ambivalent, combination skin comprises areas that tend to be oily and others that are rather dry or normal. Most often, the T-zone is characterised by sebum overproduction, resulting in shine, enlarged pores and sometimes localised imperfections. Conversely, the cheeks and temples display an entirely different profile, with reduced lipid production, a finer texture and occasional signs of dryness. This duality of combination skin reflects an imbalance in sebaceous gland activity across the facial regions, influenced by hormonal, genetic and environmental factors.
Biologically, this unequal distribution of sebum can be explained by the variable density of sebaceous glands according to the areas : they are more numerous and active on the T-zone, whilst being less pronounced on the cheeks. This difference can be intensified by climate, lifestyle or the use of unsuitable skincare. Combination skin is arguably the most challenging skin type to care for, as it reacts differently in different areas.
A combination skin requires treatments capable of counteracting excess sebum in the T-zone while preserving, or even restoring, hydration in the drier areas of the face.
Combination skin or oily skin: how to distinguish?
The fundamental difference between combination skin and oily skin lies in the distribution of sebum : oily skin shows excessive sebum production across the entire face, whereas combination skin only does so in the T-zone.
To distinguish between combination skin and oily skin, carefully observe the appearance and sensation of your skin throughout the day. Oily skin tends to shine evenly, with visible pores over the entire face. Combination skin, by contrast, exhibits two distinct characteristics: oiliness and enlarged pores localised on the forehead, nose and chin, while the remaining areas may feel drier and even uncomfortable due to a lack of lipids. A reliable test involves cleansing your face, waiting for an hour without applying any skincare products, then observing where the shine appears. If your face only shines in the T-zone, you likely have combination skin. However, if you note an overall sheen, your skin is probably oily.
| Criterion | Oily skin | Combination skin |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution of sebum | Excess across the entire face | Excess confined to the T-zone |
| Skin appearance | Generalised brilliance | Localized brightness in the T-zone |
| Pores | Dilated pores across the entire face | Predominantly enlarged pores in the T-zone |
| Imperfections which can affect the entire face | Imperfections predominantly confined to the T-zone | |
| Skincare regimen | Purifying yet gentle treatments for the entire face | Different treatments depending on the facial regions (purifying for the T-zone, nourishing for the dry areas) |
The differences between oily skin and combination skin.
Sources
YOUN S. W. & al. Regional and seasonal variations in facial sebum secretions: A proposal for the definition of combination skin type. Skin Research and Technology (2005).
MAIBACH H. I. & al. Oily skin: An overview. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (2012).
RICHARD M. A. & al. La peau des Français. Analyse des caractéristiques de notre peau à partir de l’étude Objectifs Peau. Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie (2017).
