Shahnaz Hussain's tips for taking care of combination skin

Care of a combination skin poses quite a challenge. Yet, it is the most common skin type. Both dry and oily skin types exist in combination skins – i.e. some parts of the face are oily, while the rest is dry. Usually, it is Forehead, Nose and Chin that are oily. It is referred to as the T-zone. The cheeks are dry. Different areas need different care. The dry areas may need moisturizers and nourishing creams, but if you apply the same products on the oily areas, you may get blackheads, open pores, pimples and acne.

Cleansing

For cleansing, use mild glycerin soap, or a light cleansing milk. Deep pore cleansing with scrubs may be necessary for the oily areas to prevent and reduce open pores and blackheads. Apply the scrub on the oily areas and rub gently on the skin with small circular motions. Do not apply on pimples, acne or rash. Wash off with plenty of plain water. You can either mix rice powder with rose water and use on the oily areas. Or, mix oats with egg white into a paste and apply only on the oily areas. When it dries, moisten with water and rub gently on the skin. Then wash off with water.

Toning and moisturizing

For toning, you can use rose skin-tonic or rose water. Keep it in the fridge. Soak cotton wool pads in it and wipe the skin.

A liquid moisturizer may be used for the dry areas. In winter, however, the oily areas may also feel dry. First, apply the moisturizer on the dry areas. Then add a drop of water to the moisturizer and apply on the oily parts, for a lighter coverage.

You can also use some natural ingredients to moisturize the skin. Honey would suit a combination skin. Add lemon juice and egg white to honey and apply on the entire face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Or, make a moisturizer by adding one teaspoon pure glycerin to 100 ml rose water. Keep in a jar and apply a little of this lotion on the entire face. It would suit both oily and dry areas. Honey and pure glycerin are humectants. They attract moisture from the environment to the skin.

Face mask

As part of routine night care, the dry areas may need nourishing, especially in winter. Apply the cream and massage it for two minutes only on the dry areas. Then wipe off with moist cotton wool.

A fruit mask would suit both oily and dry areas and may be used more often. Mashed banana, grated apple, ripe papaya pulp may be mixed together and applied on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Or, mix together one teaspoon each wheat bran (choker), oats, ground almonds, honey and curd with egg white, into a paste which does not drip. This mask will suit both dry and oily areas. If you wish to avoid egg, add more curd. Apply on the face, avoiding the lips and area around eyes. Wash it off after half an hour.