Combination Skin Routine and Tips

Read our combination skin routine from the Kiehl’s experts to learn how to cleanse combination skin, the best moisturiser for this skin type and more.

Most skin types are immediately apparent – those with dryness or blemishes only have one concern to look out for and address. Combination skin on the other hand results in multiple concerns, and given that many products only target one issue, finding combination skin products that work for your skin can often prove tricky.

You can find the right moisturiser or toner for combination skin by looking for efficacious ingredients and applying them with the correct methods. Kiehl’s skincare glossary prioritises natural and transformative ingredients, and the calendula plant is especially effective in promoting health and radiance in combination skin.

To assist in reaching your skin goals, we’ve compiled a simplified but glow-boosting Combination Skin routine. See each step and the best application methods below.

Signs you have combination skin

While the visible effects of acne-prone or sensitive skin are easily identifiable, what combination skin looks like can be harder to pin down. Those with this skin type experience both an excess of oil production alongside areas of skin that feel dry and appear rough. There’s no one split of symptoms, but typically oiliness appears on the t-zone, dryness on the cheeks (though this too may be different for you). Other combination skin symptoms include:

• Visible redness
• Large pores
• Blemishes
• Tightness in skin

What causes these contrasting issues tends to be external. Similar to sensitive skin types, combination skin symptoms tend to react to stressors such as weather changes, sun exposure or certain skincare products. To reduce combination skin signs, opt for a gentle and minimal routine that works to protect and nourish skin.

Most skin types are immediately apparent – those with dryness or blemishes only have one concern to look out for and address. Combination skin on the other hand results in multiple concerns, and given that many products only target one issue, finding combination skin products that work for your skin can often prove tricky.

You can find the right moisturiser or toner for combination skin by looking for efficacious ingredients and applying them with the correct methods. Kiehl’s skincare glossary prioritises natural and transformative ingredients, and the calendula plant is especially effective in promoting health and radiance in combination skin.

To assist in reaching your skin goals, we’ve compiled a simplified but glow-boosting Combination Skin routine. See each step and the best application methods below.

combination skin routine

To strengthen and even combination skin, our daily 4-step routine contains ingredients that hydrate and cleanse. This helps to re-establish balanced moisture levels and provide radiance to skin. A signature ingredient in our combination skin routine is calendula – which provides antioxidant protection and visibly brightens skin. For how to cleanse combination skin alongside toning and moisturising, our skincare 101 for this hard-to-pin-down skin type is ahead.

1. cleanser

The production of sebum (our natural oil) can become affected and unbalanced by external irritants like pollution, sweat and dirt. To restore clarity to skin, twice-daily cleansing is important for those with combination skin. As the first step in your morning and evening routine, use a non-drying cleanser to wash skin of impurities. Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash refreshes and balances skin, removing excess sebum without stripping skin of moisture. Calendula and glycerin work together to comfort and hydrate.

2. toner

The right toner for combination skin reduces oiliness, redness and improves texture, while prepping skin for the following products. For the varying symptoms experienced by this skin type, the multi-purpose ability of toners makes them highly effective at reducing combination skin symptoms. If toners don’t currently feature in your combination skin products, take this as your sign to invest. Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner is a cult-classic – with one sold every 20 seconds around the world. Calendula is combined with allantoin and great burdock to moisturise, comfort and reduce sebum levels.

3. facial serum & eye serum

Packed full of active and highly effective ingredients, serums permeate the deep layers of skin and bring strength to the skin barrier. A healthy skin barrier is vital for every skin type, but for those with combination skin, it can mean the difference between stable and unstable moisture levels. Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate contains pure vitamin C to minimise the appearance of pores and improve skin’s texture. Follow up with Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum to target the especially thin and sensitive area of skin around the eyes.  

4. moisturiser

For combination skin, moisturising can be tough. The dry areas of skin need enough hydration to plump and transform dullness, but oily areas can feel overwhelmed if the formula is too dense. Water creams provide the perfect balance to support combination skin signs – with a lighter texture that still offers intense hydration where it needs to. Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream contains hundreds of micronised calendula petals to reduce discomfort, improve brightness and even skin tone.