If you've ever been told that you have "dry skin" or "oily skin," then you're probably familiar with the feeling of being confused by skincare products. Are they supposed to be used morning and night? Will they make your face worse if they don't address both issues? The answer is no, but it's also not quite as simple as that. If your skin falls under the category of combination skin, meaning it's oily in some areas and dry in others, then these are the basic steps for choosing skincare products that will work for you.

Know what "combination skin" means.

So, what exactly is combination skin? It is a skin type that has areas that are oily and others that are dry. People with this condition may have small bumps and large pores in certain places on their face. You can find out how to determine your skin type here.

It can be difficult to tell if you have combination skin unless you know what your skin feels like. If your forehead feels dry but your cheeks are always shiny, then chances are high that you've got combination skin. Other signs include rough patches around the nose area and all over the chin—but those who have normal or dry complexions might not experience these kinds of problems at all times! You may also have an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), but the rest of your face is dry.

Choose gentle cleansers.

When it comes to choosing the right cleanser for your skin, you'll want to avoid harsh ingredients. An organic product will be the best option for your skin as the ingredients will be a lot gentler on your skin. Look for a cleanser that's gentle and hydrating, such as a cream or gel formula. Avoid alcohol-based cleansers or any with artificial fragrances—both can irritate your skin and dry it out over time.

Use a toner for your T-zone only.

Toner is a product that helps remove any leftover dirt and oil from your skin after cleansing. It also helps to add moisture back into the skin, which can be especially beneficial if you have combination skin. There are some toners on the market that are alcohol-free and effective at removing impurities from your T-zone area (the area between your forehead and nose). If you choose one of these options instead of a traditional toner, it may be best not to use it all over your face but rather just in this specific area. A toner can also help to improve the condition of your skin and repair your skin over time from environmental damage.

Exfoliate but not too often.

Exfoliating is good for your skin. It helps to remove dead cells and, in turn, can help prevent acne. But you don't want to exfoliate too often. Too much rubbing and scrubbing can cause more problems than it solves for combination skin types. Once or twice a week should be enough for most people.

Spot-treat your breakout zones.

To get the most out of your skincare routine, you'll need to address the specific needs of each area. For example, if you have dry patches on your face and neck, a common problem for combination-skin sufferers, opt for moisturisers there. But if your oily T-zone is out of control, try spot-treating it with a drying lotion or gel. It's important to note that no matter what type of product you're using, be sure it's free from pore-clogging ingredients like silicone or parabens and make it organic where possible.

Consider anti-aging treatments for your dry areas.

If you have dry areas, consider anti-aging treatments for those areas. A moisturiser with alpha hydroxy acid (like glycolic or lactic acid) can help exfoliate the skin and make it less prone to clogged pores and breakouts. A serum containing hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant to keep your skin supple and hydrated all day long.

Combination skin is common, and you can find products to address the needs of more than one area of the face at once.

If you have combination skin, there's no need to worry. You can find products that address the needs of more than one area of your face at once. For example, if you have oily areas and dry areas on your face, you can use a gentle cleanser for the former and an exfoliant for the latter. It’s about understanding the needs of your face and how you need to address your personal skin needs.

Combination skin doesn’t have to be problematic. There are plenty of organic skincare options for combination skin types to ensure you get the best from your skin each day. Wondering how organic skin care can best benefit your skin? You can find out more about the benefits of organic skincare here.