Skin Type | Combination Skin

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Combination skin is one of 4 skin types. It is usually partly oily and partly dry, and as such can have the characteristics of both skin types.

Typically, combination skin has a shine on the forehead, the nose and the chin (the T-Zone). These areas tend to show more enlarged pores and can have the same characteristics as oily skin:

 

- Oily shine all over the face
- Thicker texture
- Frequent breakouts
- Possible comedones
- Acne prone

The cheeks and other areas of the face usually appear drier and can have the characteristics of dry skin:

- Lack of sebum
- No oily film present
- Tight/ taut sensation
- Lack of suppleness and tone
- Matte complexion
- Closed pores
- Rough texture
- Flakes of dehydration

Treatment

It is very important to balance the T-Zone area on combination skin types, as well as to gently cleanse and exfoliate the areas with drier skin. 

Products like cleansers, toners and those that control bacterial activity like acne-spot treatments, which contain ingredients like  benzoyl peroxide, sulphur and salicylic acid for example, can be used  in the prevention of acne, breakouts, blackheads and whiteheads in the T-Zone area. 

Products that contain harsh alcohols and aggressive cleansing agents should not be used on the face, for any skin type. These products strip the face of it’s natural protective layer, and disturbs it’s balance. Doing so only triggers an automatic response by the skin to produce more oil.

Exfoliation

Mechanical exfoliation, in the form of gentle facial scrubs are recommended for use 1-2 times per week on combination skin types, with particular attention being paid to areas of the skin that experience dryness or flakiness. 

Combination skin can also benefit from chemical exfoliation treatments, particularly in the oil prone areas like the T-Zone area. The use of products that contain a mix of alpha and beta hydroxyacids (AHAs and BHAs),  such as glycolic and salicylic acid respectively, work well for combination types. Glycolic acid will help combat any signs of premature aging, like the formation of fine lines and wrinkles on dry skin areas, and salicylic acid will of course help control any unwanted bacterial action present in areas that are prone to excess oiliness.

These products should not be used in the eye area.

Dehydration

Like dry or oily skin, combination skin can also be dehydrated. When skin lacks water, it compensates for this by producing more oil. You may find that on days where you are not on top of your water intake, your skin appears shiner, and oilier than usual. Even the parts that are usually flaky appear to have excess oil and you think that your skin type is suddenly oily.

A water-based, fluid moisturizer that would take care of the dryness and balance the oil on skin works best for this type of skin. Also, keep water intake up and incorporate more vegetables in your diet.

Aging

As we age, the skin’s production of sebum decreases, and skin gets less oily and more dry. In the case of combination skin, it is recommended that you incorporate the appropriate skin care products and treatments to help delay premature aging of the dryer skin areas. 

And of course, wear sun screen.

 

Related posts
Skin Type | Oily Skin
Skin Type| Dry Skin
Exfoliating vs. Peeling 
10 Top Skin-Care Faux Pas 
 

Q/A: Mistaken Identity (Pt. 2)

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Mistaken identity in the bedroom y’alls. You’re busy getting it in with your partner and them BAM!!! You go and open your big mouth and done yelled out the wrong name.

…Awkward.

So what do you do? Address it or ignore it?

Should you choose to address it, when would be a good time? Right then in the middle of it all? The mood is broken anyways. Or do you wait ’till tomorrow, or however long it takes for your partner to bring up the issue. 

What if you weren’t the one to call the wrong name, what do you do? Wait for the name to pop up again?

What if you KNOW the person who owns the name? Do you address that person as well as your partner? Do you play it off like nothing has happened then hire Magnum P.I? Or maybe you become your own private investigator and go through your partner’s phone and look for the name and prank call? Or maybe employ the skills of your techie nephew to crack ‘em laptop passwords wide open for ‘ya.

Man, the case of incorrect name dropping is tricky. Obviously it’s not the most pleasant thing for someone to hear, but I can’t imagine that it’s a pleasant position for the name-caller to be in either.

So what’s up?

Well, it depends. Generally, ’It Happens’ right? 

It’s normal for people to mix names up. Your parents can name everyone in your family before they eventually get to your name, especially when they’re mad at you.

Incorrect name-hollering aside, there are other factors you should look at when deciding your next move.

The status of the relationship

If it’s your first hit-it that was probably going to be a quit-it anyways, don’t take it personally, cut your losses and move on, no long talking. There isn’t a ‘feelings hurt’ clause in one night stands.

If it’s someone that you’ve been dating for a while, and this is the first time it has happened, and everything otherwise is legit in the relationships, i.e. all routines are being kept – no working late nights, no hanging out with ‘buddies’ extra hard, and the buddy that s/he was supposed to be liming with didn’t just call the home phone for him/her… it is probably an honest mistake. If things in the relationship are shaky, google “Private Investigator” and look for one in your your state.

If you’re married and everything in the relationship is copacetic, again, consider it an honest mistake. Everyone deserves a strike one. If however, things have been shaky for months and you have had enough evidence to convince you that something else is going on, might I suggest googling “Divorce Lawer”.

Seriously though, honest mistake or not, for the sake of keeping things open and honest in a relationship, it is a good idea to at least address it.

The name-call hearer

Now, some things about someone’s past, which will remain in his/her past and will no way affect the future of the relationship whatsoever, really ought to be kept in the past. However since your partner volunteered the info, then by golly yes, it is something that should be discussed. No rug is thick or wide enough to keep anyone from not tripping over a mistaken identity incident.

Nothing heavy and dramatic. No threatening to sleep with his/her best friend. No blaming yourself for it happening, and no temper tantrums, we’re grown. Get yourself together and ask questions like:

- “Who is this person?” Is it an ex, a co-worker, a celebrity?
- Is there any history? 

You know, constructive questions.

Nothing like:

- “So why THAT name?”.

There is no response in the world that will satisfactorily meet your the criteria for successfully answering that question, so don’t frustrate yourself. If your partner could have avoided it, s/he would have.

You are holding the trump in the relationship at this point, and your partner knows that. If they have any respect for you whatsoever they’d already be walking on eggshells. Rest it, give the situation some time to breathe and give your partner the eagle eye from time to time to let them know that no, you’re not going to bring it up again, but yes… you remember. Be smart about it, besides anything and everything is yours at this point

The name-caller

As the name-caller, this is your opportunity to come clean, I mean, spill all them beans all over the newly polished floor, especially if the person, who’s name you called, is someone that you still interact with. If it’s a long lost, past fling who died, well sure, keep it brief. It’s your word vs. dead person’s; that’s might good odds for you.

The deed is already done, you’re already in the dog house.  The more comfortable you appear at volunteering the information asked, the less likely your partner is going to think that you are hiding something.

Why? Because if you aren’t hiding anything then why would you be uncomfortable?

As awkward as it may be for you to go into detail, trust that whether or not it you inadvertently shout that name again, if your partner ever comes to meet this:

“KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!! OOOOOH MYYYYY GOOOOOOODDDDD!!! YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!”

and the story is anything more than you described, It’s ova y’alls. 

This is a global world we live in. The world is a lot smaller than we’d like to think.

 

Related GC posts

What would you do?: Mistaken Identity (Pt. 1)
Q/A: Have I been one nighted?
It’s not me, it’s you
Lets keep it together ladies. 
Relationships | Deal breakers 

 

 

Music quote of the day: U2

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“Only love can leave such a mark, but only love… can heal such a scar”

- Magnificent, U2
 

The power of love is undeniable. Imagine what we can do when we love ourselves.

Happy Wednesday y’alls!

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