What is “Moisturizer Spot Treating” For Combination Skin
Combination skin is a tricky skin type to treat. With a mixture of oiliness and dry patches, it's definitely not easy figuring out how to manage both. Especially when it comes to moisturizing, where do you even begin? Is moisturizing even necessary?
Firstly, yes you need to moisturize. Secondly, there is a right and a wrong way to moisturize combination skin. Since you can't just slather on a thick hydrating balm all over because that would exacerbate the oiliness and break you out, you need to do it strategically.
According to the experts on Into the Gloss, the best strategy for the job is something known as "moisturizer spot treating."
Got combination skin? Learn this invaluable moisturizing hack below.
What is "Moisturizer Spot Treating?"
Moisturizer spot treating refers to applying specific skincare products on specific areas of the face. For instance, someone with an oily T-zone and dry cheeks may apply an oil-balancing moisturizer to the shiny parts and a thicker, richer lotion to the dry parts. It's really about using specific moisturizers to target different problem areas. This way, you're not just slathering a universal cream all over that's going to trigger oiliness and breakouts.
While combination skin is a skin type in itself, there are different varieties of combination skin. Just because it commonly refers to oiliness in the T-zone and dryness on the cheeks doesn't mean your face will be 50 percent oily and 50 percent dry. Some people may experience more dryness while others may experience more oiliness. Some may be acne-prone, while others might have balanced skin with a few dry patches here and there.
Moisturizer spot treating helps address different problem points. Whether you're dealing with dryness or redness, blackheads or large pores, moisturizer spot treating is the ingenious hack for helping those areas individually and appropriately.
How to Moisturizer Spot Treat Your Skin
If you have combination skin, make sure moisturizer is part of your daily skincare routine. Here's how to spot treat your skin with moisturizers, depending on the type of combination skin you have.
Part Oily, Part Dry
To treat true combination skin, try using three moisturizers: Mary Jane Glow Serum for your T-zone, Cream Skin Face Moisturizer for your dry patches, and Pineapple Haze Skin Salve for those really dehydrated spots.
Part Acne-Prone, Part Dry
Prone to both pimples and dry skin at the same? Use Black Jelly Blemish Serum on the tips and sides of your nose and then Cream Skin Face Moisturizer on your cheeks and forehead.
Balanced Skin with Dry Spots
Use a hydrating serum like Glass Skin Serum all over and Blueberry Kush CBD Face Oil on those dry areas. You can also touch up areas that get extra dry in winter with a rich cream or balm.
Oiliness, Redness, and Clogged Pores
Spot treat the areas prone to clogging with CBD Jelly Face Serum and the area prone to redness with Hemp Oil Facial Serum. Whenever your skin needs a little extra hydration, slather on Flower Child Face Moisturizer -- but only to the dry areas of your face.
Tips for Taking Care of Combination Skin
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Use Different Products in Different Places
Besides using different moisturizers on different areas of your face, you'll need to use different skincare products on different areas to address different issues.
"Because your skin is partly dry and partly oily, we generally advise that you address the drier parts of your face with your normal regimen (gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and antioxidant), and then address other specifics to the oily parts," explains Ranella Hirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Cambridge, Mass.
We know it sounds like a lot of work, but a targeted routine helps promote a clearer, dewier, brighter complexion. Toner is an optional step.
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Choose the Right Ingredients
The best actives to look for include hyaluronic acid for boosting hydration, salicylic acid for banishing breakouts, glycolic acid for exfoliating away blemishes and discoloration, and hemp for reducing redness. If you have severely dehydrated skin, look for formulas made with ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier and restore moisture. To get the most out of your products, always keep your eye peeled for high-performing actives.
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Multi-Masking Works too
Multi-masking was designed for combination skin. Instead of slathering one mask all over your face, try applying different face masks to different areas of your face. Try Hemp Jelly Face Mask to manage oiliness and acne and a hydrating mask, like our trending Vegan Collagen Booster Face Mask for dry spots. These are all botanical-infused formulas designed to nourish, hydrate, and clarify your complexion.
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Wear SPF
Sunscreen is a skincare step that's non-negotiable. According to the derms, you should be wearing sunscreen every day to protect your skin from UV rays and pollution which can lead to premature aging. Think of SPF as your anti-aging elixir! While it might not seem like an important beauty product now, it will one day if your skin starts showing symptoms of sun damage -- dark spots, creases, discoloration.
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Consult Your Dermatologist
If you can't seem to control your combination skin or you have a skin condition like psoriasis, we recommend speaking to your dermatologist for professional advice. They'll be able to guide you on how to best treat your skin and prescribe medication or topical treatments for chronic skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.
Having combination skin may sound like a lot of hard work, but with the moisturizer spot treating method (courtesy of ITG editors), you can take charge your skin and ensure it looks and acts its best.
You will find our full range of skincare products and hair care products on the Truly website and over on Ulta and Sephora. From cleansers to serums, hair masks to lip balms, we have everything you could ever wish for! And the best part? All our formulas are clean, vegan, and cruelty-free!
