Do you have combination skin? Here's how to balance your skin in just 7 days

Combination skin is one of the most common skin types, but also one of the most challenging when it comes to care. This type of skin is characterized by the presence of oily areas, usually in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), and dry or normal areas on the rest of the face. This imbalance can lead to various problems such as blackheads, pimples, and flaky or irritated skin. The main challenge lies in finding a care routine that balances these contrasting areas, providing hydration without overloading the oily zones and sufficient care for the dry areas.

Balancing combination skin is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of the skin. An improper care routine can exacerbate the specific problems of this skin type, leading to oily skin in the T-zone and dryness or irritation in the rest of the face.

The routine proposed in this article aims to help you achieve an even and healthy complexion in just 7 days, through simple and effective steps. Adopting such a routine can prevent the appearance of pimples and blackheads, reduce excess sebum, and ensure proper hydration, giving the skin a radiant and balanced look. It is important to follow these steps and choose products suitable for the specific needs of your combination skin to benefit from the best results.

Day 1: Deep cleansing and skin assessment

Gentle cleaning

The first step in caring for combination skin is deep but gentle cleansing of the skin. It is essential to use a cleansing product that effectively removes dirt, excess sebum, and impurities without drying out the skin or affecting its natural barrier. Gentle cleansing products, such as gels or foams that do not contain harsh sulfates, are ideal for combination skin. Here are some recommendations:

• Neutral pH cleansing gel: A cleansing gel that maintains the skin's natural balance and prevents excessive dryness. Look for products with soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera or chamomile extract.
• Gentle cleansing foam: A cleansing foam that removes impurities and excess sebum without drying the skin. Make sure the product does not contain fragrances or alcohol.

To clean the skin properly:

1. Moisten the face with warm water.
2. Apply a small amount of cleansing product to your palms and gently massage your face in circular motions, focusing on the T-zone.
3. Rinse well with lukewarm water and dry your face by gently patting with a clean towel.

Skin assessment

After you have cleansed your skin, it is important to examine it carefully to identify the oilier and drier areas. This assessment will help you adjust your skincare routine and use the appropriate products for each area of the face.

1. T-zone (forehead, nose, chin): Check if this area is shiny or has enlarged pores, a sign of excess sebum.
2. Dry areas (cheeks, eye contour): Observe if these areas feel rough, flaky, or tight, indicating a lack of hydration.

Note these observations to use them in adjusting products and care techniques in the coming days. Correctly identifying the skin type in different areas of the face will allow you to apply specific treatments, ensuring that your skin receives the care it needs to become balanced and healthy.

Day 2: Gentle exfoliation

Chemical exfoliation

To achieve smooth and radiant skin, exfoliation is a crucial step in the skincare routine for combination skin. Today, we will introduce chemical exfoliation, a gentle and effective method to remove dead cells and improve skin texture. Chemical exfoliants, such as lactic acid and salicylic acid, are ideal for combination skin because they provide specific benefits for both skin types (oily and dry).

• Lactic acid: It is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from milk that helps exfoliate the upper layer of dead cells, stimulating cell renewal. It is gentle and suitable for the dry areas of combination skin, improving the texture and hydration of the skin.
• Salicylic acid: It is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) soluble in oil, which penetrates the pores and helps dissolve sebum and dead cells, thus preventing the appearance of pimples and blackheads. It is ideal for the oily areas of combination skin, such as the T-zone.

How to use chemical exfoliants:

1. Apply the exfoliant to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye and lip areas.
2. Let it act according to the product instructions (usually between 5-10 minutes).
3. Rinse well with lukewarm water and dry your face by gently patting with a clean towel.
4. Continue with applying the moisturizer and the SPF cream if it is daytime.

Exfoliation frequency

Exfoliating 1-2 times a week is sufficient for combination skin, as excessive exfoliation can damage the skin's natural barrier and cause irritation, redness, and dryness. The skin needs time to recover and regenerate between exfoliation sessions.

Why exfoliating 1-2 times a week is sufficient:

• Prevention of irritations: Frequent exfoliation can remove too much of the skin's protective layer, making it more susceptible to irritations and inflammations.
• Maintaining balance: Moderate exfoliation helps maintain the balance between removing dead cells and skin regeneration, promoting healthy and even skin.
• Avoiding dehydration: Exfoliating too often can lead to dehydration, especially in the dry areas of combination skin. Maintaining an appropriate frequency ensures skin hydration.

Day 3: Hydration and protection

Proper hydration

Hydration is an essential step in the skincare routine for combination skin, ensuring a balance between oily and dry areas. It is important to use a non-comedogenic moisturizing cream that hydrates without clogging the skin or causing breakouts.

We recommend the day moisturizing cream for combination skin from the Royal Rich range, enriched with plant extracts and a vitamin complex. This cream helps maintain essential hydration levels for the skin and improves the natural regeneration process. Ingredients such as plant extracts help soothe the skin and reduce irritation, while the vitamin complex provides essential antioxidants that combat the harmful effects of air pollution and sun exposure.

After cleansing and toning, apply a small amount of cream to the fingertips.
Gently massage onto the face and neck, focusing on the drier areas.
Make sure the product is fully absorbed before applying the SPF cream.

Sun protection

Sun protection is another essential step in caring for combination skin, regardless of the season. Exposure to UV radiation can cause significant damage to the skin, including premature aging, pigmentation spots, and the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to use a cream with appropriate SPF daily.

• The Importance of SPF: UV radiation is present even on cloudy days and can penetrate windows, affecting the skin. Using a cream with SPF helps prevent sunburn and protects the skin against the negative effects of radiation.
• Choosing the right product: Opt for a cream with SPF 30 or higher, which offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. Make sure it is non-comedogenic and suitable for combination skin.

Correct application:

1. Apply the SPF cream as the last step in your skincare routine, before makeup.
2. Use a generous amount and distribute evenly on the face, neck, and other areas exposed to the sun.
3. Reapply every two hours if you are outside, especially after swimming or sweating.

Day 4: Customized facial masks

Masks for oily areas

For the oily areas of the face, such as the forehead, nose, and chin (the T-zone), we recommend using the black mud mask from the Dead Sea from the Royal Rich range. It contains beneficial minerals that destroy acne-causing bacteria. It is rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, and trace elements such as zinc, iron, barium, selenium, chromium, and vanadium. The special and natural ingredients cleanse and disinfect the skin while maintaining the skin's hydration level, revitalizing and refreshing it. Circulation is accelerated, as is the natural skin regeneration process. The result is healthy, clean, soft, and silky skin.

How to use the black mud mask:

1. Clean your face well and dry it by gently patting.
2. Apply an even layer of black mud mask on the T-zone, avoiding the dry areas of the face.
3. Leave the mask on according to the instructions on the packaging (usually 10-15 minutes).
4. Rinse well with lukewarm water and apply a toner and a moisturizing cream.

Masks for dry areas

For the cheeks and other dry areas of the face, using a moisturizing mask is essential. These masks are rich in nourishing ingredients that deeply hydrate and soothe the skin, preventing flaking and irritation.

How to use a moisturizing mask:

1. Clean your face well and dry it by gently patting.
2. Apply a generous layer of moisturizing mask to the dry areas of the face.
3. Leave the mask on according to the instructions on the packaging (usually 10-20 minutes).
4. Rinse well with lukewarm water or massage the excess into the skin, if the product allows it.

Day 5: Skin toning

Balancing toner

Toning the skin is a crucial step for balancing the pH and preparing the skin for hydration. An alcohol-free toner is ideal for combination skin, as it will not dry out the skin or cause irritation.

How to use a balancing toner:

1. After cleansing your face, apply the toner to a cotton pad or clean palms.
2. Gently massage the toner onto the face and neck, focusing on oily areas to reduce excess sebum and on dry areas to prepare them for hydration.

Beneficial ingredients

Choose toners that contain beneficial ingredients for combination skin, such as:

• Niacinamide: Helps regulate sebum production, reduces redness, and soothes the skin.
• Hamamelis: It is a natural astringent that helps reduce pores and balance sebum production without drying out the skin.

Day 6: Targeted treatment for imperfections

Serums and treatments

Serums and treatments are essential for addressing specific skin issues, such as imperfections, hydration, and signs of aging.

Recommended active ingredients:

• Hyaluronic acid: Intensely hydrates and helps maintain moisture in the skin, leaving it smooth and supple.
• Niacinamide: Helps reduce redness, regulates sebum production, and improves the overall appearance of the skin.

Correct application

How to apply serums and treatments:
1. After toning, apply a few drops of serum to the face and neck.
2. Gently massage the product into the skin with circular motions until it is completely absorbed.
3. Continue with applying the moisturizing cream.

Day 7: Reviewing and adjusting the routine

Progress Evaluation

At the end of the week, it is important to evaluate the changes observed in your skin. Notice if your skin is more balanced, smoother, and less prone to breakouts or dryness.

Adjusting the routine

Based on your observations, adjust the care routine to meet the specific needs of your skin.

• If your skin is still too oily: You can add more products with niacinamide or witch hazel to control sebum.
• If your skin is still dry: You can add a richer moisturizing cream or hyaluronic acid serums.

At the end of the 7 days, you should notice a significant improvement in the balance and appearance of your skin. Continue to follow the personalized routine and adjust it according to your skin's needs to maintain the results achieved. With the right products and consistent care, you will be able to achieve and maintain healthy, radiant skin.

To enjoy the best results in caring for combination skin, we recommend trying the products from the Royal Rich range. These products are specially formulated to balance and care for combination skin, using high-quality natural ingredients and cutting-edge technologies.

Made in Romania, Royal Rich products are made from superior quality raw materials, offering efficient and safe solutions for your skincare needs. Whether it's moisturizing creams, facial masks, or serums, the Royal Rich range provides you with everything you need for healthy and radiant skin.