Among the various skin types, combination skin stands out from the others by combining the characteristics of oily and dry skin. Quite complex in terms of characteristics, but relatively simple in treatment, the balance of combination skin can be maintained by using skincare products specifically designed for it.
Which soap should be used for combination skin?
Published on February 21, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 4 min of reading
Themes:
How to recognise combination skin?
Combination skin falls between two skin types: dry skin and oily skin. These characteristics are visible on different areas of the face. In the T-zone, which includes the forehead, nose, and chin, the skin surface exhibits the distinctive signs of oily skin, such as enlarged pores, a shiny complexion, uneven skin texture, thick skin, and sometimes the appearance of blackheads and spots. On the other hand, the skin on the cheeks and temples is dry: feelings of tightness and tingling can be experienced, and redness may appear. This dry part can also be identified by the presence of flaky skin and tightened pores.
The shine of the T-zone in combination skin is due to an overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands located in this area. Indeed, sebum is essential in the composition of the skin barrier, but when it is produced in excess, it leaves an oily, shiny film on the surface of the epidermis and promotes the dilation of pores. Dead cells accumulate on this oily area, pores are clogged by impurities and blackheads form. Conversely, the sebaceous glands located in the dry area operate at a slower pace. They therefore produce a small amount of sebum, which impairs the protective barrier, releases moisture and thus dries out the skin surface. Moreover, the skin is more vulnerable to external aggressions. Due to this small amount of oil, the skin feels tight and signs of skin dryness appear.
Soap for taking care of combination skin.
Among the recommended treatments for caring for combination skin, you can use either the purifying charcoal wash or the nettle purifying soap:
The purifying charcoal cleansing care :
This soap contains activated charcoal, which has the ability to deeply cleanse the pores. It also helps to regulate excess sebum, thus preventing the appearance of spots. Finally, this ingredient has a granular yet gentle texture that allows for a mild mechanical exfoliation of the skin. It thus removes dead cells from the surface of the epidermis and stimulates cellular renewal. In addition to activated charcoal powder, this soap also contains hemp oil with sebum-regulating properties as well as Atlas cedar essential oil and Scots pine oil, offering anti-bacterial and purifying action.
The nettle purifying cleansing care :
If your skin is oily, you can add the nettle purifying soap to your daily skincare routine. Rich in mineral salts and trace elements (sulphur, zinc, copper, etc...), stinging nettle rids the skin of toxins. This plant also has purifying and astringent properties. It therefore regulates excess sebum. Moreover, the stinging nettle also contains antioxidants (chlorophyll, flavonoids, etc...) which protect the skin from the effects of ageing and promote the regeneration of skin tissues. To enhance the actions of the nettle soap, nettle powder is combined with other ingredients such as eucalyptus globulus essential oil for its astringent properties.
