The Perfect 3-Step Skin-Care Routine For Combination Skin

A lot of trial and error goes into finding the best skin-care routine for you, but even if you don't have access to a professional to point you in the right direction, no one ever said it has to be a pain. The first step is always figuring out what your skin type is, and once that's narrowed down, you can zero in on a number of products based on your skin's individual needs.

If you have combination skin, for example, you tend to experience a combo platter of it all: oil, dryness, and, in some cases, different types of acne. Typically, people with this skin type deal with oily T-zones while experiencing some amount of dryness in other areas of the face, like the cheeks. So, when constructing a routine for yourself, look for oil-free, noncomedogenic formulas and treatments that can restore moisture to drier areas of your skin without clogging the pores.

In case you need a little guidance, read ahead for our simple guide to creating a basic skin-care routine for combination skin.

Step 1: Cleanse

No matter your skin type, cleansing is arguably the most important first step of any skin-care routine, but that doesn't mean you should settle on any old face wash to get the job done.

"Combination skin types should focus on minimizing oil production to keep breakouts in check," celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden previously told POPSUGAR. When searching for a cleanser, you should look for products that will help fight acne (if you have it) and clear your T-zone of excess oils without drying out the other areas of your face.

A few of our favorites: the Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser ($23) and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser ($10).

Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

From

$23

$23 at Sephora

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser

From

$10

$10 at Amazon

Step 2: Treat

After cleansing, you want to make sure you're treating your face with a lightweight facial serum or treatment that'll moisturize your skin and target congestion without clogging pores. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which are known to hydrate. We like The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($9) or the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops ($35).

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

From

$9

$9 at Sephora

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops

From

$35

$35 at Sephora

Step 3: Moisturize

"Like oily skin types, focus on hydrating the skin without the use of oils by using a lightweight moisturizer," Darden says. A few picks that do the trick are the Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer ($45), which features hyaluronic acid as its star ingredient to support the skin's moisture barrier; Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream With Hyaluronic Acid ($27), which delivers a soothing burst of hydration to the skin without weighing it down or layering it with any excess oil; or Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer With Moringa and Papaya ($44), which hydrates the skin while helping to reduce shine and keep pores clear of dirt and oils.

Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer

From

$45

$45 at Sephora

Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream With Hyaluronic Acid

From

$27

$27 at Target

Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer With Moringa and Papaya

From

$44

$44 at Sephora